Pete Shelley - XL·1 Pete Shelley
Pickup available at Record Corner
Usually ready in 2-4 days
Domino announce the re-release of Pete Shelley’s first two solo albums, ‘Homosapien’ and ‘XL-1’ - the first time both albums
have been reissued individually as standalone releases since they were included as part of a box set by Genetic Records in
2018.
Both albums come housed in gatefold sleeves featuring the original fully restored artwork, include an extra disc featuring Bsides,
dubs and extended mixes and contain inserts featuring new photos and imagery and extensive sleeve notes from the
acclaimed writer Clinton Heylin.
Recorded in close collaboration with renowned producer Martin Rushent, both albums saw Shelley embrace a wider musical
palate post-Buzzcocks and work with electronic instrumentation and synthesisers - ‘Homosapien’ in particular is seen as a
massively influential and pioneering record and widely regarded as a musical signpost for the work Rushent did with The
Human League on ‘Dare’ a few months later. Banned for homophobic reasons at the time by BBC radio, ‘Homosapien’ would
become a gay club anthem and the queer element a hugely important part of both Pete’s personal and musical life, as
showcased in both these albums.
Pete Shelley's solo debut, ‘Homosapien’, released on 15th January 1982, was a long time in the making, drawing on ideas from
before his time with Buzzcocks. Many of the songs, including the title track, were written as early as 1973, when Pete first
began experimenting with home recording. His early bands, like Jets of Air, were influenced by glam and experimental sounds,
laying the groundwork for his later solo work. Despite his involvement in Buzzcocks, Pete’s desire to explore electronic music
and more experimental styles grew, especially after seeing bands like Joy Division and Gang of Four garner critical praise.
By 1981, the tension within Buzzcocks was evident, with Pete feeling creatively stifled. The band was struggling with money
issues, and Pete's desire to explore new musical directions was clashing with the band's more traditional punk style. He had
already started working on solo material, including early recordings with Martin Rushent, who had encouraged Pete to pursue a
solo project, and ‘Homosapien’ took shape quickly, with Pete playing most instruments himself and using synthesizers to craft a
sound far removed from Buzzcocks' punk roots. Released through Rushent's Genetic Records, ‘Homosapien’ showcased
Pete's shift toward electronic pop, blending elements of glam and avant-garde music. The title track, with its provocative lyrics,
garnered attention, though some of Pete’s personal themes sparked controversy. Despite initial resistance from his former label
EMI, ‘Homosapien’ found success, particularly in the US with Arista, where tracks like ‘In Love with Somebody Else’ were
included in place of some earlier demos. The album marked a significant departure from Pete’s past, but it also opened the
door to his next creative phase.
In a 1983 interview, Pete Shelley discussed his shift away from the past, particularly the success of Buzzcocks, towards more
introspective, experimental music. With ‘Homosapien’, Shelley embraced an electro-pop sound, largely overshadowed by The
Human League’s ‘Dare’, despite ‘Homosapien’ being recorded first. Shelley explained his lack of interest in proving anything to
the public, focusing instead on creating songs that resonate deeply, without adhering to commercial expectations. Critics
compared ‘Homosapien’ to the works of The Human League and Heaven 17, but Shelley’s focus was on creating timeless,
personal music.
Shelley wasn’t interested in the ‘pop rat race’ and felt punk had lost its edge and saw himself as a lone figure pushing the
boundaries of the genre. By 1982, he was already looking ahead, blending influences from artists like Dexys and Roxy Music,
while exploring new musical territory, including multi-media and computer-generated experiences.
On ‘XL-1’, released in May 1983, Shelley moved further into experimental sounds, utilizing new technology and creating songs
in the studio rather than demoing them. He even incorporated video and graphic elements into the album, embracing both dub
mixes and cutting-edge music production. Despite the challenges,’ XL-1’ was another bold step into the future, driven by
Shelley's ambition to keep pushing musical boundaries and experimenting with new sounds and ideas.
Pickup Availability
-
Record Corner
Pickup available, usually ready in 2-4 daysRecord Corner
Pound Lane
Godalming GU7 1BX
United Kingdom447988164697
Product information
Shipping
KMRIA Records use Royal Mail to send all deliveries. All prices are per Royal Mail set pricing structure.
NOTE: 1 LP weighs approx. 0.23 Kg and 1 Single weighs approx. 0.60kg. 5 LPs therefore, can be sent for under 2KG.
United Kingdom
- Singles/7”: £2.52, Signed 2nd Class Royal Mail
- LPs and 10”: £4 for up to 2kg and less than £50 – Signed 2nd Class Royal Mail
- LPs and 10”: £5.10 for up to 2kg and between £51 and £150 – Tracked 48 Signed
- LPS and 10”: £12.00 for up to 2kg and over £150 – Royal Mail Special Delivery
- For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £10.95 up to 5kg and 15.95 from 5k to 10k
Delivery is by Parcel Force
Europe
- Singles/7” : £8.45, Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- LPs and 10”: £11.50 for up to 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £18.75 up to 10kg.
Delivery is by Parcel Force
World Zone 1
United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, India, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Israel, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Vietnam.
- Singles/LPs/10”: £14.00 up to 1.5kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- Singles/LPs/10”: £18.00 over 1.5kg and less than 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £35 up to 10kg.
Delivery is by Parcel Force
World Zone 2
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Fiji.
- Singles/LPs/10”: £15.00 up to 1.5kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- Singles/LPs/10”: £21.50 over 1.5kg and less than 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £43 up to 10kg.
Delivery is by Parcel Force
Returns and Cancellation Policy
At Record Corner, we are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with every purchase you make. We understand that circumstances may change, and you might need to cancel an order or return a product. Our Returns and Cancellation Policy is designed to provide you with clear guidelines and information on your rights and responsibilities when it comes to cancelling orders and returning goods under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation & Additional Charges) Regulations. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the key points outlined below.
Right to Cancel
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, you have the right to cancel your order for goods. This right begins the moment you place your order and lasts for 14 days from the day you receive the goods.
Cancellation Deadline
To meet the cancellation deadline, kindly notify us of your decision to cancel your order before the 14-day cancellation period expires. You can contact us via email or phone to initiate the cancellation process.
Returning Goods
If you decide to cancel your order, you are responsible for taking reasonable care of the goods while they are in your possession. To complete the return process, send the goods back to our contact address at your own expense. Exceptions apply if we delivered the item in error, or if the item is damaged or defective.
Cost of Recovery
In case the returned goods are not received within the specified conditions, we reserve the right to charge you for the direct costs incurred in recovering the goods.
Refunds
Once you have notified us of your decision to cancel the order, any payments made will be promptly refunded to you. You can expect the refund to be processed within 14 days of your cancellation.
Items Not Eligible for Cancellation or Return
Certain goods and services are exempt from the right to cancel, including prescription medicines, personalized goods, rapidly perishable items, and more. Please refer to our policy for a comprehensive list of non-cancelable and non-returnable items.
Forfeiture of Cancellation Right
Your right to cancel may be forfeited if you unseal goods that are not suitable for return due to hygiene or health reasons, unseal sealed audio/video recordings or software, or combine goods with other items to make them inseparable.
At Record Corner, we value your satisfaction and aim to make your shopping experience as smooth as possible. Our Returns and Cancellation Policy ensures transparency and fairness in all interactions. If you have any questions or concerns about cancelling an order or returning goods, our dedicated customer service team is here to assist you.
Please note that specific regulations and details may vary based on your location and the applicable laws. For a detailed understanding of our policy and your rights, we recommend reviewing our complete Returns and Cancellation Policy or contacting our customer service representatives.
Remember that your satisfaction is our priority, and we are here to help you at every step of the way.
