The Peel Sessions 1977-1978-1981

The Slits formed in 1976, when 14-year-old Ari Up recruited her friends Tessa, Viv and Palmolive to form a new all-girl punk band, with Ari on vocals. The following year, they supported The Clash during their UK tour.

Still without a record contract, the Slits then recorded two sessions for John Peel, in 1977 and 1978. Later, after their period with Island Records, they recorded one final Peel session in 1981. The Slits' BBC sessions have long been celebrated as favorites of John Peel's, and it is easy to hear why.

In fact, the band's debut session was always hailed by Peel as "one of our first classic sessions". These first two sessions explode with vibrant punk energy, aggression and wit. The third session, recorded just months before the band split, also pulsates with color and life, but points clearly to the direction in which they were heading and the areas they were exploring - dub, funk, free improvisation, African music and hip-hop.