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Most peoples introduction
to the rap medium was (not uncommonly) via Sugarhill,
Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, etc... Out of
the blue came a new, different sound, uncovering a
rather peculiar new world. U.S Soul/Dance outfit Shock
coined the term with their rocky "Electrophonic
Phunk" hit in '82. Enter "Planet Rock" and
all CyberSpace was let loose. The new music had taken
hold. Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of . . .
ELECTRO.
So, put your best
foot backwards and retread the past, via some old friends. Remember Smurfs? The
loveable little creatures with their squeaky Smurf-talk
and fluid body-movements were ideal B-Boy icons. A
variety of amazing dance styles were exclusive to Hip-Hop
- break dancing, body popping, webbo and huevo dancing,
and smurfing. Vocoder and "Smurf" vocals were
in vogue for some time, and Newcleus certainly got enough
mileage out of this. The "Squeak" syndrome
could be somewhat irritating, but "Jam On It"
is still an irresistible Electro-Boogie Groove, and
certainly did the helium abusers no harm - serious lunar
fun, with a wicked bassline! Definitely the jam-on crew's
finest moment. Oddly enough the first "Smurf"
homage had been paid some two years previously by
talented Washington D.C. based instrumentalist, Tyrone
Brunson. A veteran of the D.C. Funk scene, Brunson's previous recordings
included stints with local outfit the Family and hard-funkers Osiris. Quirky and instantly appealing, "The Smurf"
was something of a departure from Tyrone's Go-Go roots. Even without any
vocal content, it still conjures up vivid images of Father Abraham's
little helpers. Extra classic status must be attributed to "The
Smurf", for being one of the early Electro twelves to Blow-Up Big
Time in the UK.
Under the creative control
of former Jazz vocalist Lotti Golden and partner Richard Scher, Warp 9 initially made their mark in 1982 with the
minimal "Nunk". Come '83, however, the follow-up
"Light Years Away" was, in no uncertain terms,
The Bomb!, consolidating Electro's preoccupation with all
things unearthy. The syncopated beats and austere
keyboards were pure science fiction.!!
From the land of pyramids
and pharaohs, histories most celebrated party animal, The Egyptian Lover (Greg Broussard). Typical of the soft core LA sound, "Egypt, Egypt" is an up-tempo
driving beat loosely based on Kraftwerk's "Tour de
France": another cut that was particularly big with
the dancers.
The bass-heavy attack that
is "The Party Scene" by the mysterious Russell
Brothers finds itself frequently on many collectors' want
lists, the records hard-hitting appeal is, once heard,
easily understood. And as for the Russell Brothers, they
were never heard again.
Afrika Bambaataa is, without question, the
Godfather of Hip-Hop as we know it. Active throughout the
movement's many phases, one of his numerous projects was
Time Zone, whose "Wildstyle" made much noise in
'83. Previously issued "Zulu Wildstyle", this
track was a veritable roller coaster ride of sound collage
and invention; sound bites, dub effects and a weird,
elastic bassline. Electro with a punky attitude.
Equally radical, but from
a whole 'nother galaxy comes another absolute monster. Hashim's "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" was an
instant breakers anthem responsible for much worn lino,
bald patches and twisted ligaments! (Anyone remember the
Eastern Eye break dance competition?) Fat beats, ruuude
bass synth and mad vocoder, who could resist! Al-Naafiysh's
place was instantly assured in the Hip-Hop hall of fame.
How many times have you heard those immortal lines "It's
Time" and "Just Feel It" cut to oblivion
on two decks?
Hashim's hot item
certainly had a European flavour, and so did "Hip
Hop, Be Bop (Don't Stop) by the mysterious Man Parrish. Probably one of the most
sophisticated examples of Electro, "Hip Hop, Be Bop"
coasts along on an almost lightweight, bubbly
undercurrent topped off with a spaced-out, eerie feel.
Still filling dance floors to this day, this remains an
essential for everyone's top ten.
Although not strictly
Electro, it still deserves a mention. Hip-Hop's ultimate
old school drum break is cut to maximum effect on "Break
Dance - Electro Boogie" by Sugarhill funksters the
West Street Mob. Complete with breaking instructions (and
vocal snippets from the Furious 5 and Diana Ross!), this
is old school Hip-Hop heaven, perfect for the breakers of
the day to get their Gazelles into.
So what does it all
mean? No doubt you'll agree on one thing -
this stuff is
(still) really Fresh!
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