{"title":"Efficent space","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"simple-reality","title":"Simple Reality","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSimple Reality\u003c\/i\u003e cements the short lived legacy of Coventry DIY group Skeet. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEmerging from a scene of first-generation punks and 2 Tone kids, Skeet was instigated by Gary and Nigel Meffen in 1981, fusing tightrope instrumentals with a Roland CR-8000 under the glow of projected visuals. After a cassette of their debut performance found its way to Kay Booth who worked at Inferno Records, the unsuspecting frontwoman took the liberty of adding her own vocals. Instantly embraced as a permanent member, Booth’s shy delivery and open-diary expressions of social alienation and romantic rejection hovered over the brothers’ scratchy guitar and agitated bass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlaying as few as 10 shows, their unnerving minimalism was recorded in a suburban home studio, borrowing a reel-to-reel from Toby Lyons (The Colourfield) and a mixer from Jerry Dammers (The Specials). Record labels gestured interest until one day they were no more - no arguments, no official split, just a silent parting of the ways and three people taking journeys in different directions. Unheard and unloved in the vaults for nearly four decades, 'Brief Call' finally resurfaced via the Coventry Music Museum compendium Alternative Sounds Volume 1, followed by a micro pressing of the full suite on Chris Long’s Almost Unknown imprint in 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimple Reality now offers a definitive snapshot of these must-hear neurotic post-punks. Mastered by Skeet fanatic Mikey Young, newly discovered instrumental multitracks are restored alongside a live recording of their final stand. Performed atop of a trailer in a pub beer garden, the release-worthy desk tape adds three new tracks and a more energised swing at ‘Left On the Shelf’s apathetic electronic-pop.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRIYL: Fire Engines, 23 Skidoo, A Certain Ratio, Young Marble Giants, pel mel.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Efficent space","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50530923544907,"sku":"2203555","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CS1023617-01A-BIG_50cf0f76_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728088431"},{"product_id":"hashish-hits-2","title":"Hashish Hits","description":"\u003cp\u003eEfficient Space honours the memory of producer and MC Ali Omar with \u003ci\u003eHashish Hits\u003c\/i\u003e, a posthumous selection from the dub rebel’s self-released discography.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of ten children in working-class Liverpool, Omar drew deep influence from his father's Arabic heritage—a thread central to his identity and sample origins. After art school and a spell clubbing during Manchester's halcyon days, he relocated to Sydney, where he co-founded the blunted downbeat duo Atone with fellow British expatriate Andy Fitzgerald. As an MC, he infiltrated the city’s house, dub, jungle, and bass circuits, becoming a regular fixture at the Bentley Bar, where he commanded the mic with his versatile, rumbling baritone and charisma.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFreakishly talented in the studio, Omar was a pioneer of the Akai sampler and Atari, deftly recording live sessions straight to DAT. Drawing on industry insights from his sister, Merseybeat firebrand Beryl Marsden—who supported The Beatles on their final UK tour and was signed to Decca and Columbia—the non-conformist sought to build a self-sufficient business model. Between 1998 and 2004, he independently issued four albums on CD through his Hashish Studios imprint, hustling copies directly to local record stores and live shows for instant returns, even hand-sewing screen-printed hessian sleeves for his final release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUncompromising in his principles and refusing to suffer fools or charlatans, Omar relished the opportunity to collaborate with those who embodied the same spirit. Hashish Hits offers a snapshot of his inner sanctum—Fitzgerald on the opening track's billowing smoke stacks, the serpentine vocals of Gina Mitchell and the magic hands of mixer Louis Mitchell on 'On Release,' and Wicked Beat Sound System’s Kye on 'Poor Man Beggar Man Thief'. Meanwhile, 'Suicide Bomber' smoulders with the tension of a lost Muslimgauze relic, as the instructional 'Roll Up' and 'The Last Straw' spiral deeper into Omar’s signature production vortex—where space stretches in slow motion and walls reverberate with ricocheting delay.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA true icon of Sydney’s underground scene, the larger-than-life Omar passed away on 23 June 2009 after a valiant battle with cancer. He is remembered for his assertive spirit, larrikin humour, wild anarchic personality, and enduring mantra: “Love and live your life”.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Efficent space","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":51038906024267,"sku":"2237788","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ES041_896bd4e5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1735948310"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/efficent-space.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}