Synth Jazzasist (yes, I just invented the word Jazzasist, deal with it) and funk futurist Herbie Hancock decided to blow people’s tiny minds in 1983 by releasing ‘Rockit’, a record with synthesizers, scratching and vocoding in it. Everyone was bewildered, it became a massive hit in the UK. Which meant that British video makers (and Pop cryers) Godley & Creme had to make a video that was even more bewildering.
Buy Herbie Hancock’s music from:
I love this song so much words cannot express, the synth riff in it is just so catchy it’s not even funny. The Rock Steady Crew’s 1983 hit ‘Hey You (The Rock Steady Crew)’ followed Malcom McLaren’s ‘Buffalo girls’ in being one of the first tracks that introduced Hip Hop to the UK.
Buy The Rock Steady Crew’s music from:
Before Mantronix was making R&B, Kurtis Mantronik and MC Tee was not only Electro pioneers but the best in their game. From 1984 to 1988 they produced some of the best Electro Hip Hop in the world and constantly reinvented their sound with evolving music production technology, culminating in 1988’s ‘In Full Effect’ album and the ‘Simple Simon (You Gotta’ Regard)’ single.
Buy Mantronix’s music from:
Coming up next on the awesome Girlfriend Records is a three track EP from Toque, a side project from HR.
With just the right combination of ElectroPop, Disco and Electro-Funk, Toque’s ‘Xtro’ is dark of content but funky of beats. Like ‘Thriller’, ‘Xtro’ is quality, retro, DancePop with a horror movie theme. The juxtaposition between the get-up-and-dance music and the dark, though I expect tounge-in-cheek, lyrics is actually pretty fun. The thing I like most about this track though, is the prefect combination of 80’s sounding SynthPop and B-boy Electro, two of my greatest loves. One the one hand you’ve got the 808 claps, orchestral hits, Moog-esq funk synths, and some dark, heavily effected, MCing, and on the other shimmering lead lines and sweet as hell vocals. Definatly looking forward to this EP.
The ‘Xtro’ EP is out next Friday on Girlfriend Records, HR is also working hard on her second EP under that moniker.
Also incoming this summer is a Girlfriend Records compilation that they say is their ‘biggest project yet’ which should feature the whole Girlfriend family and some new faces. Defiantly something to be looking forward to!
Uffie (yes Uffie, remember Uffie?) this week dropped this Medhi produced cover of Tom Tom Club’s hit ‘Wordy rappinghood’, and it’s good!
I’ve always had a soft spot for Uffie, she’s worked with some of the biggest Electro innovators in the Ed Banger stable and has a vocal delivery which is pretty unique and while this cover might at first seem odd, after listening to it you realise it was the cover she’s was always destined for, and with Medhi bringing an Old School flavour to the track, it just works.
♫ Uffie – Wordy Rappinghood (Tom Tom Club Cover) (Evian Mix)
the track comes from Evian ‘s latest ‘Live Young’ campaign.
So, unless you;’ve been living under a rock this week you’ll be aware that the almighty Beastie Boys are returning with a new single and brand new album. Produced by Beastie Boys and Cassius’ Philippe Zdar, the album was announced with a hilarious video which you can catch here.
I’m absolutely lovin’ this reMix of the lead single, ‘Make Some Noise’ by Passion Pit. Who give the track a Dreamwave going over! Dreamwave Hip-Hop? DreamHop? Whole new genre anyone? (LexiconDon, are you listening?). Passion Pit give the track that smooth LA vibe and cover it in lush synths.
♫ Beastie Boys – Make Some Noise (Passion Pit reMix)
‘Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’ is released 2nd May.
electronic rumors 