Name: Corpus Mei
Brand: Penny Rimbaud and Youth

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

TPLP1501

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Housed in Gatefold Sleeve with Poster.

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-03-11

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Universal

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5016958098087

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Total Cap

2 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

TPLP1501CD

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Hardback Book CD.

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2021-11-19

PIAS

5016958098094

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1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Penny Rimbaud and Youth

Genre GB

Punk / Hardcore

Label GB

One Little Independent Records

One Little Independent Records, or OLI Records, is an independent music label that was founded in 1986 by members of anarchist punk band Crass. Inspired by the DIY principles and anarchistic ideals of independent labels, OLI has always believed in giving complete control to artists who deserve a shot at a wider audience. On June 10th, 2020, OLI underwent a rename and rebranding after its founder announced an apology for the label's historic name and logo, recognizing their contribution to racism.

Since its inception, OLI Records has been dedicated to providing a platform for talented artists from various genres. The label believes in supporting musicians who create unique and innovative music that deserves recognition. With a commitment to artistic freedom and expression, OLI continues to nurture emerging talent while also collaborating with established acts.

As one of the leading independent labels in the industry, OLI Records strives to promote diversity and inclusivity within the music community. By embracing change and acknowledging past mistakes, they are committed to creating an environment where all artists can thrive without fear of discrimination or prejudice. With their extensive catalog of groundbreaking releases and forward-thinking approach, OLI remains at the forefront of shaping the future of independent music.

Prolific punk pioneers Penny Rimbaud and Youth proudly present their collaboration album Corpus Mei, via One Little Independent Records.

In a series of epic, cinematic soundscapes, Penny spits tales of the grotesque and absurd. Gargantuan sermons delivered in counter to swelling, emotive orchestration where he and former bandmate Eve Libertine deliver a slew of anti-capitalist weaponised poetry. With their carefully constructed verse they arm the listener against corrupt institutional powers as well as the abstract. High concept and highly descriptive, these vivid and dramatic pictures are painted with artful, honest passion against a monstrous, post-apocalyptic backdrop. 

Recorded and mixed over the year 2011 and then remixed in 2019 (it took all that time to see the depths), Corpus Mei brings together two disparate elements and makes them as one – Penny Rimbaud and Youth. Rimbaud is perhaps best known as a founder member, drummer, and lyricist of the seminal anarchist punk band Crass. Since those times, he has dedicated his life to the headier pursuits of poetics and philosophy. Youth, whose post punk band, Killing Joke, remains a vibrant musical force, has at the same time become one of the most sought-after record producers of today. Realising from the outset that they shared an interest in the creation and promotion of “matters spiritual”, these two now legendary characters set out to recreate and externalize the dream that it might further become a living reality.

The process was this: Youth would present the track and Rimbaud would finger his way through the pages looking for the right words, at which point the vocal recording was made, on all occasions on first take. In each case the results were absurdly precise, falling together in a natural, organic manner as if the tracks had been composed specifically for the chosen lyric. For example, Youth had composed a track whilst sitting on Mount Sinai. Without knowing its history, it was to this track Rimbaud chose to add his landscape poem, 'You Brave Old Land', written whilst travelling through Wordsworth's treasured Lake District - a psychic knot was tied. On another occasion, Youth played a track which to Rimbaud's ears was clearly, unintentionally, an arrangement of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'. Again, the result proved the point – leave art to get on with its alchemic self and that is precisely what it will do: the magick being that it is no magick at all – it's a simple fact. 

Having completed the vocal additions to nine tracks, Rimbaud suggested calling in Libertine, one of Crass' lead vocalists with whom he has continued to work since they disbanded in 1984. She laid down one new track and then further lyrics and backing vocals to the existing ones. Finally, improvisational overdubs were added by three musicians with whom Rimbaud had worked extensively – Louise Elliott on flute and tenor sax, Kate Shortt on cello, Tony Barber on electric bass, plus the sixteen-year-old violinist, Isabella Kolaczynska, whose playing had caught Rimbaud's ear earlier that year.