Some very old old skool now from 1988 and produced by the legend, Howie Tee. New Jersey trio comprising of Elliote Ness, Prof. Paul and Speedy Dee (take the initials to get the band name E.S.P.) put down the beats and rhymes on this cult classic.Three great tracks (2 with instrumentals) Real scratching, minimal samples and no swearing. DIG?

http://www41.zippyshare.com/v/R2928WJv/file.html

Select Records ‎– FMS 62324

Doug Lazy (a.k.a. Gene Douglas Finley) is what I have been today, writing school reports is not good for a procrastinator like myself, on a Saturday too!! So as part of my avoidance strategy I’ll post some more dancey, street stuff.

So this is fine example of the Hip-House genre from 1989. This bring back some dancefloor memories!! It was co-mixed with Vaughan Mason (Raze) and makes ample use of the wonky organ sound. The “Instrumental” is surprisingly different to the “vocal” in terms of sounds. The rarely heard “Chop Dub” is the outstanding mix, just different enough. As was the trend there is a stripped down “A Capella” version of the rap for ambitious DJ’s to mix around with.

“treat the bass like a bone, and just bury it..”

http://www77.zippyshare.com/v/XN9PxDH2/file.html

Atlantic ‎– 0-86273

From 1985 and like a more electronic Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. Full Force ramp up the synth and samples. Don Oriolo (Gloria Gaynor) and Jürgen S. Korduletsch give it a Eurodance edginess. The “Dub” mix is a thing of a beauty, unbelievable for ’85, that delicious bass. “Private Property” is more freestyle synth and beats with almost a Minnie Mouse style vocal…. Yum Yum!! No video to be found anywhere btw.

http://www109.zippyshare.com/v/1baBik5K/file.html

CBS ‎– TA 6635

A rare update on the classic from Sugarhill Gang with added Chic and some well used samples and breaks (probably cutting edge for the time!!) as Ben Liebrand gives it a remix. Bringing to some new ears no doubt. A little gem is hiding on the B-side, “Hot Hot Summer Day” an original produced by Sylvia Robinson from 1980, funk vibes with a smooth rap with Doug Wimbish on bass.

http://www76.zippyshare.com/v/BhHVgcWr/file.html

Sugar Hill Records ‎– SHR-500

Old skool Hip-Hop from with some very un-hip-hop producers behind them, namely Thomas Dolby, (B1 & B3) Conny Plank (A2 & B2) and the UK studio collective, Willesden Dodgers, providing the filling in the sandwich. Dolby fans will be familiar with “Magic’s Wand” that used the backing track from Dolby and Matthew Seligman own composition, “Puppet Theatre”  which ,again, was originally conceived as an advertisement for prominent radio jock Mr. Magic, who worked for New York’s WBLS. The track itself dates back to 1982 and starts off like Trans Europe Express!! A stone cold classic with no cussing!

On to “Nasty Lady” with a mix of funk and Art Of Noise, a unique sound with live bass and guitar by Raoul Walton. Give Conny Plank’s unique production skills. “The Haunted House Of Rock” is another track from 1983, embracing the horror pop of “Thriller” and a little bit cheesy. “Rap Machine” appears to be complaining against how they’re trying to replace MC’s with computers !!!! Nice vocoder here. A fine dub mix of “Magic’s Wand” closes this classic collection.

http://www9.zippyshare.com/v/TolsIE19/file.html

Jive ‎– JIVE T 61

The Jury’s still out on The Fixx especially after hearing this synth-laden AOR from 1984. Sounds like Sting with a Howard Jones backing. Produced by Jones producer Rupert Hine and off their album “Phantoms” it’s bit of a bubblegum ballad which meanders around and never does much. The B-side and album track “Question” is far better and is again produced by a Howard Jones studio bod , Stephen W. Tayler. Tapping into a Stevie Wonder vibe.

http://www79.zippyshare.com/v/Qis02Tu8/file.html

MCA Records ‎– FIXXT 9

Back to more obscure stuff now with this early bit of German Eurodance that featured a very young Sven Väth (legendary trance/techno artist) Off were a trio and the letters stood for Organisation For Fun. The other 2 members (Luca Anzilotti and Michael Münzing) went on to form Snap!

Released in 1986 on ZYX Records I love that it has an equipment list on the back sleeve!!

Equipment used:
Yamaha TX 816, Super Jupiter MKS 80, Akai $ 900,
Roland TR 808, Roland TR 505
PPG. 2.3, Wave Term
FGTH BD
Glass voice (Coca Cola bottle 0.2)
Car door (Mercedes Benz 305)
SBX 80 (SMPTE offset 10 24 32)

A camp “Jingo” !!??

Sorry for the delay!

http://www48.zippyshare.com/v/5SMFXOEs/file.html

ZYX Records ‎– ZYX 5548

Last of the Kraftwerk twelves…..

From 1982 and their only real remix, very different from the album version and something I had never heard before!! Karl Bartos’s influence is all over this with proto- techno feel to it. Mike has split the B-side into 2 tracks (might be sacrilege to some fans) and I’m liking the sheer percussive, hypnotic power of “Numbers” without the large synth washes that come in on “Computerwelt 2″ . Both are similar (if not the same) as the album versions.

http://www7.zippyshare.com/v/g8PLYgID/file.html

Kling Klang ‎– 1 C K 062-46 379 Z

Not just “Neon Lights” but also included are the short, seven inch edits of “Trans Europe Express” and “The Model” from 1978 (on luminous vinyl of course!!). It’s one of my favourites by them, electronics with a soul. Here in all it’s 9 minutes glory and those tweater tickling synths, just kick back and let it wash over you!

http://www116.zippyshare.com/v/Ha8oU98Z/file.html

Capitol Records ‎– 12 CL 15998

So I saw the artist and thought more classic synth…..Nope how wrong was I!!! From 1980 and we get mad funk cover version of a late 60’s track by Archie Bell and the Drells, with a little sprinkle of synth noodling. Self deprecating lyrics and mad cap sounds…great fun!! Beware of the false ending on the Extended Version!

Japanese Gentleman…..Stand Up Please!!

http://www81.zippyshare.com/v/Ips3DniS/file.html

A&M Records ‎– SP-17136