A.R. Kane

A.R. Kane
Promotional image of A.R. Kane
Promotional image of A.R. Kane
Background information
OriginEast London, England
Genres
Years active1986–1994, 2016–2018, 2023-present
LabelsRough Trade, 4AD, One Little Indian, Luaka Bop
SpinoffsJübl
Members
  • Rudy Tambala
Past members
  • Alex Ayuli
Websitearkane.co.uk

A.R. Kane (sometimes AR Kane or A.R.Kane) is a British musical duo formed in 1986 by Alex Ayuli and Rudy Tambala. After releasing two early EPs to critical acclaim, the group topped the UK Independent Chart with their debut album 69 (1988). Their second album, "i" (1989), was also a top 10 hit. They were also part of the one-off collaboration MARRS, whose surprise dance hit "Pump Up the Volume" was released in 1987. Ayuli is believed to have coined the term "dreampop" in the late 1980s to describe their eclectic sound, which blended elements such as effects-laden guitars, dub production, and drum machine backing.[2]

The group broke up in 1994. Though their work fell into relative obscurity in subsequent years, they have been characterised by critics as among the most innovative and underrated groups of their era, and recognized as an influence on styles such as shoegaze, trip hop, and post-rock.[3][4][5][6] In 2012, One Little Indian released Complete Singles Collection, which compiled the group's single and EP releases.

Tambala briefly reformed A.R. Kane from 2016 to 2018 with Maggie Tambala and guitarist Andy Taylor but without Ayuli. This reformation was later spun-off as its own band, Jübl, which has since released two singles and a studio album.

  1. ^ Tate, Greg (8 April 1990). "Black to the Futurism". Artforum. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  2. ^ King, Richard (2012). How Soon is Now?: The Madmen and Mavericks who made Independent Music 1975–2005. Faber & Faber. p. 206. ISBN 978-0-571-27832-9.
  3. ^ Purdom, Tim (13 November 2012). "A love from outer space: dream-pop icons A.R. Kane interviewed". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference The Guardian was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference reynoldsretro.blogspot.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "A.R. Kane – Biography & History – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 July 2017.