SCRITTI POLITTI - The "sweetest Girl"

Item Description

Vinyl,
7" 45 RPM

German release with unique sleeve, featuring a photo of an Omani soldier from the film Saat El Tahrir Dakkat (The Hour of Liberation Has Arrived) by Heiny Srour (incorrectly attributed on the sleeve to Heine Srour). The photograph was also previously used as the cover for the French 1975 LP [url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Chants-R%C3%A9volutionnaires-Du-Peuple-DOman-Du-Y%C3%A9men-Et-DIran/release/4224604]Chants Révolutionnaires Du Peuple D'Oman Du Yémen Et D'Iran[/url].

This release features unique mixes and vocals for both tracks that were unavailable elsewhere until the 'Early' compilation in 2005. Some preview copies were accompanied by a 15 x 17 cm press release dated 09.06.81 and containing the following text (which is reproduced exactly as written, with naming and spacing errors):

"Das Musik-Kollectiv Scritti Politti stamt aus Leeds und lebt in London. Seit Ende der 70er Jahre brachte die Gruppe verschiedene EP's in Eigenproduktion heraus, die von Rough Trade vertrieben wurden.

THE"SWEETEST GIRL" ist eine Überraschung, ein neuer Abschnitt. Der Sound ist ausgefeilt, die Komposition stark und eingängig. Auf dieser ersten Rough Trade Single die in Deutschland gepreßt wird, wirkten mit: GREEN,vocals,guitar;TOM FOOLERY,drums,percussion;NEIL JINKS,bass;MIKE,keyboards,bass (B-Seite) und als Gast kein geringerer als ROBERT WYATT, keyboards."

Translation:

"The music collective Scritti Politti comes from Leeds and lives in London. Since the end of the 1970s, the group has released various self-produced EPs, which were distributed by Rough Trade.

THE "SWEETEST GIRL" is a surprise, a new phase. The sound is sophisticated, the composition strong and catchy. On this first Rough Trade Single, which is pressed in Germany, we work with: GREEN, vocals, guitar; TOM FOOLERY, drums, percussion; NEIL JINKS, bass; MIKE, keyboards, bass (B-side) and as guest none other than ROBERT WYATT, keyboards."

However, some advance copies feature the date 13.7.81 written on the cover which, being later, is presumably the eventual date of release. In either case, this is at least 5 months before the UK and make Germany the first country in which the single was released.

Recorded at Berry St. London
Cover Photo courtesy Heine Srour

Herausgeber: Phonogram GmbH, Hamburg