RAMJAC CORPORATION - 88-92 IT IS WHAT IT WAS [2LP]

Format: 2 x LP
Catalogue No.: MPD055 
Barcode: 5414166688388
Release Date: 06 Nov 2026
Genre: Breakbeat/IDM/Techno/House

Ramjac Corporation, aka Paul Chivers, emerged from the UK's late-'80s rave underground, performing live at parties like Sunrise, Energy, Back to the Future, Fun-da-Mental and Synergy. Building tracks with an Atari computer and an E-MU 12-bit sampler, turning severe technical limitations into raw, elastic club music, 88-92: It is What it Was gathers music born in bedrooms then tested in front of crowds at warehouse raves, while the culture was still inventing itself without boundaries, completely free.

Ramjac was the original artist on Irdial Discs, following label founder Akin Fernandez's Aqua Regia, and introduced Lee Purkis' In Sync and Neuropolitique to the label, shaping the singular catalogue of that extraordinary imprint alongside Luke Slater's Morganistic, Thee J Johanz and Anthony Manning.

That legacy is now revisited by Musique Pour La Danse, with the release of a limited edition vinyl and digital edition featuring extended liner notes by Nick Halkes of XL Recordings, Positiva and Kicks Like A Mule fame, who witnessed the early Ramjac period first-hand. The release is illustrated by Grant Fulton, who created the visual identity for The Shamen's Synergy events and Orbital albums.

This album presents music written exclusively between 1988-92 and forms the foundation of Ramjac Corporation's ongoing live performances. Restored from the original floppy discs, the recordings preserve the unique relationship between early digital technology, sampling culture and live improvisation that defines the Ramjac approach.

Mixed for release for the first time by Trevor Lancaster-Smith, whose 90s engineering work encompassed Leftfield, Faithless and Roni Size, the album brings these compositions into sharp focus while preserving the character of the original instruments and performances. Not just a historical document, 88-92: It is What it Was is a living body of work: music created then, realised now, and continuing to surprise and evolve.

Tracklist
A1. Ramjac Corporation - Love Me A2. Ramjac Corporation - Back In Time B1. Ramjac Corporation - 100 Hz B2. Ramjac Corporation - Reefer C1. Ramjac Corporation - That Delicious Taste C2. Ramjac Corporation - That Delicious Dub C3. Ramjac Corporation - Pure & Simple D1. Ramjac Corporation - Food Of Love D2. Ramjac Corporation - Destination Unknown