BIOGRAPHY
When Jo at Ramrock Records was approached by Rich Thair and Ali Friend, co-founders of the trailblazing group, Red Snapper, there was much excitement at Ramrock HQ. Ensuing conversations with both of them led to reference MP3s of a brand new project being handed over for consideration. After the first listen, it was an absolute no brainer for Jo not to say ‘yes’ to their proposals.
You are being sent NUMBER’s debut single taken from their forthcoming ‘Pollinate’ album, ‘Le Boucle Nouveau’ and the subsequent remix from close friend and musical maverick, Duncan Gray. For lovers of the legendary ALFOS, the sentiments of Mr Weatherall and all things chugging, this brace of releases will be perfect for those determined dancefloor excursions. With the squelchy space FX, crunchy drums and Ali Friend’s ethereal vocals, you can’t go wrong. Duncan Gray takes up the remix baton with aplomb with a distinct four to the floor beat, phat bass line, soaring strings and mutant disco credentials.
Inspired by a love of A Certain Ratio, Talking Heads, P funk and scratchy dub, NUMBER is a forward-thinking sound machine fronted by Ali Friend and Rich Thair – the co-founders and rhythm section of music pioneers and renegades, Red Snapper. Rich and Ali started NUMBER as a means of rediscovering something of what they grew up with; the dirty disco bass lines, noisy drum machines, wonky percussion, leering live drums, jagged guitar melodies and uplifting soulful songs of the 80’s.
Ali and Rich have performed all over the world including collaborating live with such electronic luminaries as The Prodigy, Björk and Massive Attack, remixing for the likes of A Certain Ratio, The Sugarhill Gang , Edwyn Collins, The Sabres of Paradise, David Holmes and Songhoy Blues.Their first album ‘Binary’ was released on Sunday Best Records in 2020 and featured ‘Face Down in Ecstasy’, playlisted by 6 Music and lauded by Lauren Lavern amongst others. It also featured an acclaimed video by Leo Nicholson. https://youtu.be/9c_uCFxz_Lg
Their forthcoming new album ‘Pollinate’ on Ramrock Red Records continues the journey, focusing on Ali’s unique vocal style and lyric writing and the duo’s reputation as one of the Uk’s most influential Rhythm sections. ‘Pollinate’ is a progression from their first album; there’s more of a focus on the duo’s use of vintage keyboards, and on vocals in general working with the beautiful community choir, Boiler House Singers on ‘Le Boucle Nouveau’. Rich and Ali may have produced their most commercial work to date.