Stretch

Per the Rough Trade shop listing, "Stretch" was recorded on July 8 and 9, 1981 at Berry Street studio in London, with Y Records head Dick O'Dell at the sessions; no producer is credited and we found no writer credits. Bandcamp Daily describes a deep basement with thick walls that gave reggae recordings strong resonance, an all-analog setup with a Roland RE-201 Space Echo and a Neve desk. Bandcamp Daily's account of the song is that it is about positivity and pushing yourself to your limits despite low morale, written amid the Cold War, national strikes, the Thatcher government and the St. Paul's riots. The players were Rainforth, Wrafter, Llewellin, Catsis and Waddington. The B-side was "Silent Street", a dub; Bandcamp Daily calls that the debut single, which conflicts with the Rough Trade and Vinyl District listings.

The release date is July 1981 on Wikipedia and April 20, 1981 on a Bleep listing, and July is more plausible given the recording dates. Bandcamp Daily allies its raw punk-funk with New York's ESG; PopMatters calls it a more rock-sounding track with shouted vocals, and the Vinyl District says it is bursting at the seams, barely contained within the studio walls. Music Is My Sanctuary calls it a cult staple at Danceteria and on late-night radio in New York, and Rough Trade a DJ staple since release. We found no video and could not verify covers or samples.