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1/ I've decided to listen to the whole Street Sounds Electro series from beginning to end.
Today⊠Electro 11 (1986).
The series moves into 1986 and the importance of just one year is monumental when compared to the content of 1985âs volumes 7, 8 & 9.
Today⊠Electro 11 (1986).
The series moves into 1986 and the importance of just one year is monumental when compared to the content of 1985âs volumes 7, 8 & 9.
2/ New year, new DJs.
Volume 11 sees the introduction of Mad Dog Harris (Simon Harris) and Froggy taking care of blending duties.
Volume 11 sees the introduction of Mad Dog Harris (Simon Harris) and Froggy taking care of blending duties.
3/ A moment of respect before we go any further to the late and much-missed mixing maestro, Steven Howlett aka Froggy, who was instrumental in bringing DJing to a new generation in the very early 1980s. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/apr/14/obituaries.mainsection
4/ The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that the series now includes âHip-Hopâ in the title.
For the purposed of uniformity I will continue to still title the series with the âElectroâ prefix however.
For the purposed of uniformity I will continue to still title the series with the âElectroâ prefix however.
5/ Roxanne Shanté begins the album with a totally pioneering tune in the Electro series.
Def Fresh Crew is simply ShantĂ© rhyming and Biz Markie backing her up with his âinhuman beatboxâ. There is no music, no drums.
Def Fresh Crew is simply ShantĂ© rhyming and Biz Markie backing her up with his âinhuman beatboxâ. There is no music, no drums.
6/ Awesome Foursome come next with a lovely little edit at the intro as Roxanne speaks over the stabs of Monster Beat.
This is a Teddy Riley production and in hindsight you can spot that bouncy style that would eventually morph into New Jack Beat.
This is a Teddy Riley production and in hindsight you can spot that bouncy style that would eventually morph into New Jack Beat.
7/ Top trivia. Two of the members of Awesome Foursome, Kirk Robinson and Nat Robinson became Milk Dee and DJ Gizmo respectively of Audio Two.
The remaining members, Mike Master and Sugar K would go on to form Kings of Swing.
The remaining members, Mike Master and Sugar K would go on to form Kings of Swing.
8/ Next is the Spyder-D & Aleem Brothers-produced You Stink by Captain Rock.
This is a decent effort although I feel it doesnât capture the epicness of the Captainâs earlier productions.
This is a decent effort although I feel it doesnât capture the epicness of the Captainâs earlier productions.
9/ The electronic bassline of Disco Fourâs Get Busy is soon heard via cheeky edits then finally bursts in. The heavy, concrete-smacking snares are just a delight which cause a real energy.
10/ And whadyaknow, itâs another Teddy Riley production which seems legit after hearing that drum pattern.
11/ BDP appear for the first time next, but theyâre not actually BDP.
12:41 are BDP but in their first existence with the members being KRS-1, Scott La Rock and Levi 167.
$ucce$$ Is The Word is mixed by Mantronik. Simon Harris (or Froggy) has fun scratching over this in parts.
12:41 are BDP but in their first existence with the members being KRS-1, Scott La Rock and Levi 167.
$ucce$$ Is The Word is mixed by Mantronik. Simon Harris (or Froggy) has fun scratching over this in parts.
12/ The flipside of Electro 11 should not be played in the presence of any grans as it involves The B-Boys talking about their saucy shenanigans with the laydeez, in Girls - Part 2.
13/ I remember Mike Allen even played this once, but I'm not sure if he had even heard it beforehand as it was a bit strong for commercial radio and its particular demographic.
My young mind boggled about Anna.
My young mind boggled about Anna.
14/ The absolutely awesome Just Say Stet comes next (interestingly, the Street Sounds graphic design team names them âStetsonicâ, well if you canât say it allâŠ).
15/ This was taken from Stetsasonicâs first 12â - which also contained a song called Rock De La Stet and was produced by Prince Paul who also produced for a certain trio from his home town of Amityville, New York who would become huge worldwide superstarsâŠ
16/ We havenât heard a sausage from The 2 Live Crew yet, have we? The very tame (compared to their later output) What I Like is next in line with a sole vocoder providing the only melody in this MC and DJ-led stormer.
17/ However you canât go wrong with an 808 as your percussion.
The instrumental is my choice over this vocal with more from Mr Mixx on the wheels.
The instrumental is my choice over this vocal with more from Mr Mixx on the wheels.
18/ Hashimâs Primrose Path is similar to his massive Al Naafiysh in that it features heavily on the drum machine and utilises dreamy, ethereal synthy-synths.
Itâs a nice enough tune that doesnât really go anywhere special though which is probably why I never bought a copy.
Itâs a nice enough tune that doesnât really go anywhere special though which is probably why I never bought a copy.
19/ Bringing the album to a close is Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hydeâs Butt Naked. This wasnât a single but instead an album cut from The Champagne Of Rap.
Top Trivia. To my mind this is the third rap song from this era to mention a GI Joe.
Top Trivia. To my mind this is the third rap song from this era to mention a GI Joe.
20/ The fact that SS are now placing âHip Hopâ alongside âElectroâ on the cover makes it seem like this is the beginning of a new chapter.
21/ As for the mixing duties courtesy of Froggy & Simon âMad Dogâ Harris, I think they've complemented the music very well. Careful blends, brief, creative edits and just the right amount of scratching all sounding very professional.
22/ And thereâs the new tagline.
Gone is âElectro is aural sexâ. Hello to âElectro is hip-hopâ.
Also the Street Scene is still being pushed whenever possible.
Gone is âElectro is aural sexâ. Hello to âElectro is hip-hopâ.
Also the Street Scene is still being pushed whenever possible.
24/ Notice here that we have the first mention of UK Fresh â86â.
25/ Unfortunately Iâm missing my âpriority ticket order formâ which is a shame as I was certain that I still had it. Nuts.
Anyway, the line, âIs it going to be YOU whoâs there - or some wally poser who moved faster?!â still tickles me, even today.
Anyway, the line, âIs it going to be YOU whoâs there - or some wally poser who moved faster?!â still tickles me, even today.
26/ P.s. if you are in need of Electro 11, here it is for 7 days
https://we.tl/t-GUlSJPEPBE
Next time, Electro 12, which features a huge Marmite track on par with Electro 10âs Star Raid shenanigans!
https://we.tl/t-GUlSJPEPBE
Next time, Electro 12, which features a huge Marmite track on par with Electro 10âs Star Raid shenanigans!
