Pete Shelley – XL-1

Domino have today announced details of 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 B-sides, dubs & extended mixes and contain inserts featuring new photos & imagery and extensive sleeve notes from the acclaimed writer Clinton Heylin. Both will also be available on CD for the first time since 2006.

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.

Format – CD & Limited Edition 2LP