Super Black Market Clash - Black Market Clash

Black Market Clash was released only in the US and Canada as a ten-inch record between the releases of London Calling and Sandinista! It compiled recordings which were then unavailable in the US except as imports. It was one of series of ten-inch records that Epic released in the U.S. by various artists, including Gary Glitter and New Musik, under the name Epic "Nu-Disk".

"The Prisoner," the cover of "Pressure Drop" by Toots and the Maytals, "City of the Dead," and "Armagideon Time" had all been UK b-sides from the period 1977-79, respectively of "White Man in Hammersmith Palais," "English Civil War," "Complete Control," and "London Calling." "Pressure Drop" is presented here in a remix by Bill Price.

At the time of release, this was the only record that featured the cover of the "Time Is Tight" instrumental by Booker T & the MGs. "Capital Radio" was extremely rare in the UK, so much so that the group had recorded a new version, which was originally released on The Cost of Living as "Capital Radio Two." "Cheat" is from their UK debut album and had been left off the US version.

"Bankrobber" had been a UK A-side, and appears here in a mix unique to this record with its dub music version "Robber Dub," which was originally intended for the b-side of an unreleased "Bankrobber" 12" dance club single. A dub version of the "Armagideon Time" also appears, "Justice Tonight/Kick It Over." This track was previously available only as the B-side to the 12-inch "London Calling" club single. The full length track is 8:54, and this 7:00 edited version is also unique to this compilation.

Black Market Clash was reissued in the 1980s on 12-inch vinyl and cassette, with the same track listing as the 10-inch. It was re-released on compact disc in 1991, but was discontinued when Super Black Market Clash replaced it. It was available again for a short period of time in 2006 in certain countries. It was reissued on 10-inch vinyl again in 2011.