Happy Xmas!

Well, it's the big day tomorrow and as I sit here for a brief rest after doing last-minute oddjobs for the holidays whilst listening to the kids in ultra-hyper mode I thought I'd take this rare quiet moment to wish all the readers of this little Blog a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Oh, and if you're preparing the Christmas dinner tomorrow, here's a short educational and not-at-all-a-T-La-Rock-rip-off video to make sure you don't blow your kitchen up.

Here's to 2016.

Repo
x

The Breaks - New Film Drama

The Breaks is a new tv film drama which is based in New York City during the beginning of hip hop's Golden Age.

Set in 1990 the soundtrack features music from De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, D-Nice, Bell Biv Devoe, Kool G Rap, Poor Righteous Teachers, LL Cool J and Public Enemy so already it sounds good.
The story follows the lives of Nikki, DeeVee and David as they each struggle to break into the music industry, as an executive, producer and radio programmer, respectively. Each is met with a great deal of push back, much of which is owed to the nascent nature of the Hip-Hop industry in that time period. The film is a strong reminder that, while it is a global cultural tour de force now, not too long ago, many thought Hip-Hop was just a passing fad.
Although it is just a tv drama at present, the makers are hoping that the demand is there for a full-blown series - the ending has been left on a cliffhanger to entice viewers - once it has aired on US tv on January 4th 2016.

This short video will explain all.

The NHS Xmas Jam 2015

This Saturday is the Annual Xmas jam for the No Half Steppin' crew.

As usual we go all out to bring you the deffest show in Norwich of the year.

Yes it's that time of year again. Get your Santa Kangols on and let the jingle bells rock!
We have a feast of a line up for you this year.

Chrome and Illinspired (B Line Recordings)
Heavy Links (B Line Recordings)
DJ Donnie Propa (The Ace Tape)
Music Lessons
The Original One (Def J/Kold Sweat)
Palma
DJ Just-1
Waxer and Repo 136 (ABU & DS going back to back!)

Hosted by Illinspired

We start at 7:00 in the basement.

This is the running order although I'm sure this is subject to change :-)


19:00 Chrome and Just-1 get the party started
20:00 Repo and Waxer
21:00 DJ Donnie Propa
21.30 Heavy Links
22:00 Chrome and Illinspired
22:30 Original One
23:00 Music lessons
23:30 Palma
00:15 No Half Steppin crew wrap it up!


All free, downstairs at The Rumsey Wells where it's small and intimate.

The Plastic Attack - Mike Allen /w Capt Rock & Repo

"Is everybody in....? Is everybody in....? The ceremony is about to begin"

I was lucky enough to guest on a radio show to share my thoughts on Mike Allen.

Last Friday (11th December) on Dublin DJ Laz-e's Plastic Attack featured myself alongside the eternally energetic Captain Rock as we spoke of our memories on how The Boss had affected us over the last 30+ years.
The Captain spoke enthusiastically about how Mike played his records when no one else was, UK Fresh and the Aleem Brothers.
I found myself lost in The Captain's utterly enthralling passion and general upbeat personality.
This is a man who has been working for many years in NYC's Parks and Recreation council department and yet still finds time to mentor young, vulnerable people to try and show them the right way.

Listen to it here:
http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html#!rii=18%3A10501355%3A7384%3A11-12-2015%3A

 Remember, The Plastic Attack is on every Friday night, 9pm on 2XM digital radio.

Mike Tribute Show DOWNLOAD

Thanks to everyone who listened in last night. It was a really great to play such classic drum machine cuts from Mike's era.

Here's the download:



 https://hearthis.at/kxdhfWHR/the-hip-hop-sessions-on-future-radio-mike-allen-tribute-show-dec-2015/


The Hip Hop Sessions On Future Radio with JUST-1 and guest, Repo. This was a special one tonight, a Mike Allen Tribute show featuring songs and interviews from the era of Allen's Army On Manoeuvres.

01 The Russell Brothers - Party Scene (instrumental) (1983)
02 Word Of Mouth Ft DJ Cheese - King Kut (1985)
03 MC Shan - Beat Biter (1986)
04 Doug E Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew - The Show (1985)
05 Run DMC - Jam Master Jay (1983)
06 Tricky Tee - Johnny The Fox (1985)
07 World Class Wreckin Cru - Surgery (Remix) (1985)
08 Tackhead Ft DJ Cheese - Is There A Way Out (1985)
09 Hashim Ft MC Devon - UK Fresh Anthem (1986)
10 Ultimate III - Ultimate III Live (1986)
11 Steady B - Just Call Us Def (1985)
12 Real Roxanne Interview (1986)
13 The Real Roxanne - Bang Zoom (Let's Go Go) (1986)
14 JD Krush - Krush Style (1986)
15 Information Society - Running (instrumental) (1986)
16 Mantronix - Needle To The Groove (1985)
17 Stetsasonic - Just Say Stet (1985)
18 Z-3 MC's - Triple Threat (1985)
19 Whodini - The Freaks Come Out At Night (1984)
20 LL Cool J Interview (1986)
21 The Majestic Crew - Thee Untold Story (1985)
22 UTFO - Leader Of The Pack (1985)
23 K-Rob - I'm A Homeboy (1986)
24 Just Ice - Put That Record Back On (1986)
25 Dr Jeckyll & Mr Hyde - Fast Life (1984)
26 The Fearless Four - Dedication (instrumental) (1984)

Hip Hop Sessions Show - Mike Allen Tribute TONITE

Following on from the weekend's sad news I want to let you know that I will be joining DJ JUST-1 in Norwich tonight on the weekly HIP HOP SESSIONS show where we will be doing a tribute to The Boss.

Please join us from 10pm tonight on http://futureradio.co.uk as we provide tunes that just may help you to re-live your teenage years for a couple of hours. Go and get all your old issues of The Street Scene out, lie on your bed on your tummy with a glass of Tizer and crank the radio up. Allen's Army is about to go out on manoeuvres.

The Boss Mike Allen R.I.P.

And so it seems that the inevitable has finally happened.

Last night (Friday) that great pioneering force of the 1980s UK hip hop scene, Mike "The Boss" Allen succumbed to Alzheimer's and sadly passed away at 8.45pm.

Some of us knew this was coming whilst I may imagine to a good few people this will come as a shock. Information about Mike's later years was hard to come by and given his deteriorating health then it's no wonder he was not all over social media. Until now.

A few years ago his record collection was put up for sale and some classic cuts were made available to the average Joe.
I managed to acquire Mike's own copy of Axel F / Like Eddie Did (by Det Reirruc / Club's Rappers) which he'd played many times and it still sounds fresh today.

Around this time I know that my good friend Waxer DiscoScratch had his hands on *the actual copy* of The Russell Brothers' The Party Scene 12" that Mike would faithfully play each week to introduce the Groove Hip Hop Sales Chart ("non-movers, sliders and led-sleds").
History.
My feelings probably mirror most of yours in that Allen's Army On Maneuvres on Capital Radio was our weekly religion. It took place during our formative years as teenagers and we were all lucky enough to hear such an informative, enthusiastic and truly unique individual on the airwaves playing us some of the most upfront and devastatingly fresh street music available.

Goodbye, 'Uncle Mike'.

"Respect. Truth is absolute."

Repo.






N.b. Check this link from Mike's rap radio rival at the time, Dave Pearce with a brief but lovely tribute.

ABU on The Hip Hop Sessions TONITE

I'll be guesting LIVE alongside DJ JUST-1 tonight on The Hip Hop Sessions on http://futureradio.co.uk/
10pm - Midnight.
No nonsense, just good old hip hop.

Tune in if you can!

ABU Podcast #55 - October 2015

And with no delay, here is the show fresh from last night.
Pretty much a full house in the chatroom. Waxer even bookended the show with some tunes to get us ready.
Next month's show is likely to be Repo's Reflective part 2.

Dope!


Here's the full tracklist:

01  Bernard Herrmann - Psycho Main Title
Psycho (Unicorn Records, 1960/1975)

02  Run DMC - Can You Rock It Like This
King Of Rock (Profile Records, 1985)

03  The Fearless Four - Rockin' It
12" (Y Records, 1982)

04  Chrome & IIIinspired - The All C N I
The All C N I (B-Line Recordings, 2015)

05  2 Live Crew - Mega-Mixx II
Move Somthin' (Luke Skyywalker Records, 1988)

06  Christopher Young - Jump Rope
 A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (
Varèse Sarabande, 1986)

07  Fred Myrow And Malcolm Seagrave - The Tall Man On Main Street
Phantasm (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Varèse Sarabande, 1979)

08  Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew - Play This Only At Night
Oh, My God! (Reality, 1986)

09  Biz Markie - Studda Step
12" (White Label, 1996)

10  Fresh 4 - Wishing On A Star
12" (10 Records, 1989)

11  All City Productions - Unsolved Mysterme
12" (All City Records, 1992)

12  Motion Man - Mo' Like Flows On
12" (StepSun Music Entertainment, 1993)

13  Above The Law - What Cha Can Prove (Megamix)
12" (Epic, 1990)

14  Derek B - Bad Young Brother
Bullet From A Gun (Tuff Audio, 1988)

15  Silver Bullet - Bring Forth The Guillotine (The Ben Chapman Remix)
12" (Tam Tam Records, 1989)

16  Bomb The Bass - Big Bear
The Great Outdoors Soundtrack (Music From The Motion Picture) (Atlantic, 1988)

17  Beastie Boys - Shadrach
Paul's Boutique (Capitol Records, 1989)

18  Pharcyde - Drop
Labcabincalifornia (Delicious Vinyl, 1995)

19  De La Soul - A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays
De La Soul Is Dead (Tommy Boy, 1991)


The Funk Trunk
20  Kool And The Gang - Jungle Jazz
Spirit Of The Boogie (De-Lite Records, 1975)

21  Les Baxter - Devil's Witchcraft
The Dunwich Horror (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (American International Records, 1970)

22 Simon Haseley - Hogan's Thing
Shut It! The Music Of The Sweeney (Sanctuary Records, 2001)



23  Schoolly-D - Maniac
Schoolly-D (Rhythm King Records, 1986)

24  Schnoogly Boom Boom McCutiekins - Ghostbastods
(Not On Label, 2014)

25  Synthman (Reeno) - Synths in the Jungle (Siel DK-600)
Synth Adventures (Spazzoid Records, 2015)
https://reeno.bandcamp.com/track/synths-in-the-jungle-siel-dk-600

Roots Of The Roots
26  Ian Dury - What A Waste
New Boots and Panties!! ( Stiff Records, 1977)

27  Bullispace - Wildstyle OST minimix
MP3 (2015)

ABU October Podcast #55 (Halloween) 2015

Well, Laydeez & Jellyspoons.....

Last week was supposed to be the monthly ABU Podcast . Sadly, technical gremlins got the better of me and I had no internet which meant I couldn't broadcast.
Happily, tonight is the postponed show so please get over to Disco Scratch and tune in to the session at 9pm (GMT).
Being that it is a 'Halloween Special' then expect a few ghostly tracks alongside the usual fare of what is a regular ABU show.
Don't forget to jump into the chatroom as well.








Earlybirds will get a dose of Mr Waxer's audio selections (usually between 9 - 10pm) and possibly some Easter Eggs after the show, too.












9pm - 11pm http://discoscratch.co.uk/radio/



Pip, pip! Tally-ho!
Squadron Leader 136.

Brand New Double Dee & Steinski Mix

Now, anyone who knows me well, musically-speaking, will know that I am a big fan of Steinski.
Having been immersed in the creative mastermixes of the early to mid-80s from Steve Stein and Douglas DeFranco it's fair to say that pretty much almost my whole musical production style has been influenced majorly by these two.

I came across this mix the other day and thought it was just something that I already owned from years ago. Wrong. It's a months-in-the-making, fresh-out-the-box brand-new mix.

I present to you a cut 'n' paste mix spectacular from the two masters of the genre, entitled 'Insanity Clause Mix'.
Download it quick before it burns the Internet down.



https://soundcloud.com/oubleeeandteinski/double-dee-and-steinski-insanity-clause-mix 

Chrome's No Half Steppin' Mix - Oct 2015

To whet your appetite for this Saturday's upcoming No Half Steppin' night, CHROME has produced a fantastic mix to show you just what to expect.

https://www.mixcloud.com/mikecwalkeden/no-half-steppin-oct-15/

No Half Steppin' - October 2015

Back to burn for October!
No Half Steppin' crew in effect with some massive tunes and classic breaks, beats and pieces.
Free entry all night in a wonderful little pub in Norwich.

Jump on it....!

'Rubble Kings' - The Mixtape

This mix was compiled and assembled by Sammy Needlz, Rok One, DJ Tahleim, and the film's director Shan Nicholson (all incredible selectors and musical encyclopedias in their own right). Much like New York City itself, it is divided into five sections (based on the musical genres that influenced these notorious gangs). From the anthemic soul and funk of the Black struggle, to the salsa and Boogaloo of the Latin Barrios, to the gritty and abrasive psychedelic rock of White gangland. A true epic tale of war and peace, "Rubble Kings: The Mixtape" serves as a direct sonic glimpse into the heart and soul of this pivotal moment in the city's history.
For download and more info, visit www.RubbleKings.com

This is really great. The breaks at the latter part are well chosen and mixed brilliantly.

Listen here: https://www.mixcloud.com/djsammyneedlz/rubble-kings-the-mixtape/

What Is 'Rap Music'?

Yes. Just what the fuck is this new music that all the kids are doing these days with their scratchy records and that?

Early days in hip hop's history with the written media. It was all so new and exciting.
http://ratter.com/ratter/all/heyday-in-tabloids/213807-rap-music

Kool Covers A Mix by DJ Format

This photo is just for illustrative purposes only. Clicking will produce no audio of any kind. In fact the only sound that will occur will be the enraged fury emitted from your lips upon discovering that this is only a photo. Blame Mixcloud for their non-widget-embedding antics. Go on, write a stern email to them.

If you missed out on DJ Format's last 45 then this 30-minute mix of Kool & The Gang covers might be enough to keep you going until you can stump up the extortionate Discogs prices.

Featuring tracks from Amral's Trinidad Cavaliers Steel Orch., Ed Watson & The Brass Circle, Grant Green, Zap Pow, St. Peter & Paul C.H.S. Shooting Stars Steel Band and more. This is highly recommended. And not to mention, free.

Jump on it: https://www.mixcloud.com/matt-ford/kool-covers-a-mix-of-my-favourite-kool-the-gang-cover-versions/

Sophie Bramly's Photos Of The 80s Hip Hop Scene

Mike D, MCA, Adrock, Rick Rubin & Russell 'Rush' Simmons

Anyone reading this blog who had access to cable in the late 80s/early 90s will have eagerly watched their regular installments of the European version of Yo! MTV Raps with the French host Sophie Bramly.
Before she hosted the classic video show she was on the streets and in the clubs of New York City in the late 80s documenting on camera some of hip hop's legendary characters. She now makes "female-orientated" porn.
Lovely stuff.

These pictures are the sort of stuff that brings me out in a cold sweat, quickly spiriting me away to a more friendly place where creativity spoke louder than money. I was never there but one look at these photos make it seem as if I was.

To see the full set with descriptions visit the website here: https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/rediscovered-photos-of-the-80s-hip-hop-scene


Also see: http://www.dazeddigital.com/photography/article/22722/1/the-woman-with-a-million-lives

Thanks to Dayle. And quite possibly, Brett.

The ABU Tee Gallery

Back in the summer there was an opportunity to purchase a limited edition ABU tee/hoodie from Style Warrior. Some of you were cool enough to snap yourselves in this funky fresh gear.

There are very limited stocks left:

1 x XL heavyweight shirt (17.99) 
1 x XXL lightweight shirt (12.99) 
1 x XL hoodie (23.99)

Contact Martin @Style Warrior

Thanks to everyone who supported.

Click pic to enlarge:

ABU Podcast #54 - Funk Special II DOWNLOAD

It was a great change to switch up the funk flavour on this month's ABU Podcast. Being that it was over TWO years since the last one I thought it was long overdue that ABU should revisit the cornerstone of hip hop and get back to basics.

You should know that first and foremost I am by no means a deep funk DJ - or a shallow one come to think of it. But I do love the dirty 70s sounds and enjoy hearing an original break or sample so my selections may be of the more known stuff than not. But it's all fantastic stuff anyway.

Also included in the show are a couple of new 45s I purchased this month (I'm not usually a 45 buyer) which fitted perfectly within the scope of music.

DJ Format has a brand new 7" which pays a superb homage to the legends Kool & The Gang. Taking all the best elements from the group (no Cherish, Get Down On It or even Joanna!) and creating a devastating result. Go here to get a copy. These WILL sell out soon.

Also on the new 45 tip is Jorun Bombay's newie. Entitled Break Edit #1, this is a funky-as-ya-like workout flipping the 'T' Plays It Cool break. The drums sound so clear and really dominate the little slab of wax that it almost surpasses the original.
Sadly this record is now sold out such is the popularity of Jorun stuff. This situation does tend to puzzle me though. The hype was always going to be big on any new 45 from JB so why only limited copies? Check Discogs where it's already going for silly money barely a week on.

And ABU plays an exclusive track for you. Brand-new from ABU crew member Myk Apache Throwdown (whom is also featured on the ABU album) is the new song, Lemonade. He's so dope he's even sprung for a fancy video.

Thanks to anyone who showed up in the chatroom and/or listened in live on Thursday evening.
Listen to the show in the widget above where you can also download for later.

Hold tight, here's the tracklisting.

01  Alen Tew - Money Runner
The Hanged Man Soundtrack (Contour, 1975)

02  Keni Burke - Risin' To The Top
Changes (RCA Victor, 1982)

03  James Brown - Popcorn with Feeling
It's A Mother (King Records,1969)

04  The Ides Of March - Vehicle
Vehicle (Warner Bros. Records, 1970)

05  Bob Azzam & The Great Expectation - Rain Rain Go Away
Bob Azzam & The Great Expectation (Audio Fidelity, 1968)

06  Uncle Louie - I Like Funky Music
Uncle Louie's Here (Marlin, 1979)

07  Gaz - Sing, Sing
Gaz (Salsoul Records, 1978)

08  Jimmy Bo Horne - Dance Across the Floor
Dance Across the Floor (Sunshine Sound Disco, 1978)

09  Michel Gonet – Flower Dance
Phasing News - Volume 2 (Tele Music, 1976)

10  Gary Byrd - Are You Really Ready For Black Power
Taken from Stand Up And Be Counted (Soul, Funk And Jazz From A Revolutionary Era Vol. 2) (Harmless, 1970)

11  Gil Scott-Heron - The Bottle
Winter In America (Strata-East Records, 1974)

12  Jon Lucien - Ghetto Song
Mind's Eye (RCA, 1974)

13  Lafayette Afro-Rock Band - Darkest Light
Malik (America Records, 1972)

14  Johnny Harris - Paint It Black
Movements (Warner Bros, 1970)

15  Dick Hyman - Give It Up Turn It Loose
The Age Of Electronicus (Command, 1969)

16  Soopasoul - It's Just Begun (Pt.1) 7"
(Jalapeno Records, 2008)

17  Hackney Colliery Band - Prodigy Medley
Common Decency (Wah Wah 45s, 2013)

18  Earth, Wind & Fire - Brazilian Rhyme
All 'N All (Columbia, 1977)

19  Myk Apache -  Lemonade (2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_3SERhPTaQ

20  Diplomat Feat. Kool Rock Ski (from the Fat Boys) - 1982 (2015)
https://soundcloud.com/diplomat/1982-diplomat-feat-kool-rock-ski-from-the-fat-boys

21  Babe Ruth - The Mexican
First Base (Harvest, 1972)

22  DJ Laz-e - Old School Rant
Plastic Attack (RTE 2XM, 2015)

23  DJ Format - Kool & The Gangstarr Generation 7"
De-Ja-Vu Records (2015)

Roots Of The Roots
24  Murray Head - One Night In Bangkok
Chess (RCA, 1984)

25  Jorun Bombay - A Break Edit #1 7"
(Soundweight Records, 2015)

26  Bob Dorough - 3 Is A Magic Number
Multiplication Rock (Capital Records, 1973)

27  Telltale ‎– Rainbow Theme
Songs From The Thames Television Children's Programme Rainbow (Music For Pleasure, 1973)

28  David Shire - Mini-Manhunt
The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Retrograde Records, 1974/1996)

29  Ernst Arno - Outlines Part 3
Dramatic Funk Themes Vol. 3 - Roaring Rare Grooves Action & Detective Breaks 1972-1983 (ShowUp Records, 1975/2011)

30  Oddjob - Scorpio's Theme
Clint (The ACT Company, 2010)

31  John & Ernest - Superfly Meets Shaft
Watergrate (IX Chains Records, 1973)

32  Rhythm Heritage - Theme From S.W.A.T.
Disco-Fied (ABC Records, 1975)

33  Stevie Wonder - Too High
Innervisions (Tamla Motown, 1973)

ABU September Podcast #54 Funk Special

ABU is proud to announce that this month's Podcast will be another Funk Special.


Thursday 24th September from 9pm is the date. Make sure you drop into the chatroom!

http://discoscratch.co.uk/radio/

A Brief History Of Graffiti

An interesting voyage, albeit in condensed form, through the history of graffiti fromcrude marks left by soldiers in Germany right up to modern-day stuff from France's Blek Le Rat.
The legendary LEE Quinones has a great segment and shows us into his studio where there is a brilliant mural featuring some of his contemporaries such as Futura, Rammellzee, Fab 5 Freddy and Lady Pink.
This could so easily be turned into another 'stuffed shirt', BBC4, condescending view of the street art world but our guide (Professor Richard Clay)is ultimately enthusiastic and open-minded about the subject which makes the whole experience that much more entertaining.

Word of warning, as it's on iPlayer it is only available for a limited time - in this case until 24th September 2015. Plus if viewing from outside the UK there may be restrictions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b067fxfr/a-brief-history-of-graffiti

UPDATE:

It is also available on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VAFhq_kQGg

Hell's Club

If you are a bit of a film buff then this will interest you largely.
It's a video mash-up featuring many famous movie characters in which they were featured in a nightclub in their particular film.
It's edited together exceptionally well and you'll have fun spotting many known faces - some just cameos - all to the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever (what else!).

Thanks to WAXER for spotting this.

Ebay Watch: Street Sounds UK Fresh 86 Programme

This came up on my Ebay alert recently.
I know these are rare but is £72 the going price for a UK Fresh 86 Programme these days?
Meh, what do I know? This is a supreme piece of UK hip hop history so it's worth as much as what someone is prepared to pay for it. Plus it looks in good nick.

Also from the same seller is a very interesting magazine pullout from Record Mirror circa 1986.

 And if you missed out he also has for sale a Street Sounds Electro T-shirt (size L).

Check 'em out:
UK Fresh Programme: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Street-Sounds-UK-Fresh-86-Programme-Rare-Old-School-Electro-Collectors-Item-NM-/141761353366?

Record Mirror Hip Hop: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Old-School-Electro-Hip-Hop-RM-Magazine-Supplement-1986-Rare-/141761371462?hash=item2101a2dd46

Street Sounds Electro Tee: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Street-Sounds-Electro-Official-Limited-Edition-T-shirt-Rare-Brand-New-/141759612920?hash=item21018807f8

ABU Shirt/Hoody Pics Request

As mentioned in this month's ABU Podcast, I plan to make a gallery of any of the ABU shirts and hoodies that were recently snapped up.
I have a few already but any more would be welcome. For the camera-shy, don't worry about showing your face, just use any close-to-hand object to obscure if you wish.

Send in NOW to : ageingbboysunite@yahoo.com

Or post on the ABU Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/groups/ageingbboysunite/

July & August 2015 ABU! Podcasts - DOWNLOAD

Well, aren't I a silly sausage?
It appears I was so excited over making last month's 1992 Special for the ABU Podcast that I only went and plain forgot about actually posting the link.
So this month is a bumper Podcast edition, both this and last month's shows.
First up......

July 2015 - Podcast #52 1992 Special



Tracklisting:

01 A Tribe Called Quest - Jazz (We've Got)
02  EPMD - Brothers From Brentwood L.I.
03  UMC's - One To Grow On (1991)
04  General Levy - Dem No Wicked Like We
05  Das Efx - They Want Efx (Remix)
06  Fu-Schnickens - Ring The Alarm
07  Brand Nubian - Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down (Dirty Version)
08  The Jackson 5 - Its Great to Be Here - Kenny Dope Remix
09  Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg - Deep Cover
10  Kool G Rap And DJ Polo - Ill Street Blues (Illest Version)
11  C.E.B. - Get The Point
12  Afrika Bambaataa Presents Time Zone - Zulu War Chant
13  Selectah - Wede Man (Hoody Mix)
14  Cypress Hill - Hand on the Pump
15  Diamond D - Best Kept Secret 
16  The George Baker Selection - Little Green Bag
17  Sam Kinison - Rappers Suck

The Funk Trunk
18  The Isley Brothers - Footsteps In The Dark (Part 1 & 2) 
19  Gary Byrd - Soul Travelin' Pt.1 (The G.B.E)

20  Black Moon - Who Got The Props
21  Organised Konfusion - Fudge Pudge
22  Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back
23  Son Of Noise - The Mighty Son Of Noise
24  SL2 - On A Ragga Tip
25  Kid Kaos - Short Kutz 1
26  Kid Kaos - Short Kutz 2
27  The Pharcyde - Officer
28  The Fabreeze Brothers - How To Cut & Paste (Lesson 1)


And here is the most recent ABU Podcast.
August 2015 - Podcast #53




Tracklisting:

01 Brad Fiedel - The Terminator Main Title
02  Skeewiff - Theme From Dave Allen https://soundcloud.com/skeewiff/skeewiff-theme-from-dave-allen
03  Phill Most Chill - The Remix E.P. -  On Tempo Jack (Remix)
04  DJ Format - Here Comes the Fuzz
05  Kid Sundance and Busy Bee - Hip Hop Icon
06  A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation
07  Mantronix - Get Stupid ''Fresh'' Part 1
08  Monkey Sons - Down & Out
09  Eminem - '97 Bonnie & Clyde
10  Digital Underground - The Humpty Dance
11  Lakim Shabazz - No Justice No Peace
12  EPMD - The Steve Martin
13  Joeski Love - Pee Wee Dance
14  Stetsasonic - Go Stetsa 1 (Remix)
15  Jungle Brothers - In Dayz 2 Come


Reepz' Electro Doodads Mix
16  Malcolm McLaren - World's Famous
17  MC-3 - Rap-A-Holic (1986)
18  Cazal Boys -  Snatchin' Cazals
19  Chris The Glove Taylor - Itchiban Scratch
20  Jonny Bankcheck ‎– The Runaway (Rap) (1983) (shout out to Daniel Chapelle)
21  Sly & Robbie - Bass & Trouble (1985)
22  Afrika Bambaataa & Family - Bambaataa's Theme (Assault On Precinct 13)
22  Reeno - New York, New York, NYC 1984  https://reeno.bandcamp.com/

23  MC Shan - The Bridge (for Dave BANZAI)
24  Dr Dre - Medicine Man (feat. Eminem, Candice Pillay & Anderson .Paak)
25  Public Enemy - Man Plans God Laughs

The Funk Trunk
26  The O'Jays - For The Love Of Money (1974)

27  Schnoogly Boom Boom McCutiekins - Straight Outta Tipton


Both Podcasts can be downloaded.
Also there is a handy option to 'Share' (hintity-hint....)

TONITE! - The ABU! Podcast - August 2015 #53

Thursday (27th) evening at 9pm it's the Ageing B-Boys Unite!​ Show. The bestest of all the old school hip hop radio shows that broadcast out of Norfolk on a Thursday between 9 and 11pm. Fact.

Expect classic hip hop, funk breaks, film scores, an Electro mix, Birthday Shouts, Funk Trunk and general weirdness all brewed in the ABU cauldron.

For one time only, listen in: http://mixlr.com/repo136.
For the full experience visit the chatroom as well which is: http://discoscratch.co.uk/radio/

See you there!

L'il Reepz

The Story Behind The NWA & The Posse Album Cover

The Story Behind N.W.A.'s First Record Cover from Oliver Wang on Vimeo.

Here's some interesting trivia if you're into the history of iconic record covers - and who amongst us isn't?
The classic 'NWA And The Posse' record cover photo that was used twice; once for the Panic Zone 12" and also for the album is the subject of this short video that looks at how, why and when it all came about. Some interesting trivia to be found if you're into that sort of thing.
One thing it doesn't mention is just WHO is the one white guy in the photo. I've always wondered.

(Thanks to Roosevelt for finding this one. Although actually I'm not 100% if it was him. But then he does tend to find some great videos and articles for us usually so he gets props, justified or not.)

And you know that ABU likes to get nerdy...

First let's have some context. Where exactly is Santa Monica Blvd in relation to California?
Compton's in the house!

Aerial satellite view above of Santa Monica Boulevard; the home of the NWA cover shot, that Sheryl Crow song and if I recall correctly, Hugh Grant's favourite illicit, interracial fun spot.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/34.0905927,-118.3253694/34.0904493,-118.3251487/@34.0904486,-118.3252453,83m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e2

A close-up of the actual area, 6222 Santa Monica Blvd.

Through the iron gates and towards the far wall.
Non-Stop Printing (Long)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@34.090739,-118.32525,3a,90y,171.64h,88.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sd544lb51wAKHIZuBbDvT6Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's a zoom. It's the wall to the left next to that dumpster that was once the famous graffiti-covered backdrop.
Non-Stop Printing (Close)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@34.090739,-118.32525,3a,15y,171.64h,88.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sd544lb51wAKHIZuBbDvT6Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Renegades Of Rhythm Video Footage

 Remember, this was hip hop before hip hop became hip hop, if you see what I mean.



All heads will want to see this!

If you didn't have a chance to catch DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist on their recent RENEGADES OF RHYTHM world tour then this video is probably the next best thing.

Utilising only records that were in Afrika Bambaataa's crates ("these are the copies that were played in The Bronx in 1975, in 1976, 1977....... these are those copies that set the whole culture off") for his legendary block parties, the two world-renowned DJs make a completely cohesive and interesting set which spans many genres - the first half is made up of funk, soca, salsa and world music all mixed and scratched to perfection.
The remainder of the concert delves into more familiar territory and after some reggae comes the classic Trans-Europe Express. The song that Cut Chemist blends with this is incredible and works a dream.
The pair play a fine selection of 80s NYC electro and hip hop cuts including a certain instrumental that Mike Allen heads will appreciate.
At one point a circle in the crowd is made with b-boys dancing to It's Just Begun and a multitude of breaks.

Look at the bigger picture and repeat that last sentence.
At one point a circle in the crowd is made with b-boys dancing to It's Just Begun. The ACTUAL records that Bambaataa played to crowds in the Seventies which were to become the building blocks of the music of hip hop culture were now being utilised again some forty years later and b-boys were dancing to them just as they would have in a block party in 1977.
Just phenomenal stuff.

Considering that the concert is mainly just two guys playing records to a crowd, in other hands this might be contrived and possibly more than a little boring but Shadow and CC have a large video screen behind them showing fantastic visuals of old school artifacts, graffiti, record covers and iconic figures.
Add to this the chemistry between the pair and the faultless performance given then this whole concert is quite simply the perfect honour to bestow upon hip hop's own Master Of Records.
  

Utilizing vinyl borrowed exclusively from Afrika Bambaataa's historic and genre-defining record collection, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist's acclaimed Renegades Of Rhythm set touches down in Oakland, California in this professionally-documented film experience. You're there in the audience as the two DJ's unravel the evolution of Hip-Hop music and culture, using the same artifacts that helped create it. "Not just any records- the MASTER OF RECORDS' records."

..............................................

Direct source here

NYC, 1984 by New York, New York

REENO with the hardware

Here's a slice of Nu-electro.... sorry, I abhor that term.
I'll begin again.
Here's a slice of authentic electro-funk made in 2015 that could easily have been created back in 1984.
Produced on original hardware which certainly helps to capture that era, New York, New York aka REENO has made a great tribute to the early 80s sound of the Big Apple.
Check it out here:

And then rush as quickly as your fingers can take you to https://reeno.bandcamp.com/track/nyc-1984 where you can purchase a high-quality download of the track for only a measly $1.

Who is Reeno?
http://spazzoid.com

TONITE! - The ABU! Podcast - July 2015 #52 1992 Special

TONITE!!!
It's the last Thursday of the month already and that means it's the ABU! Podcast tonight at 9pm.
This month we take a stroll down 1992.....

Listen in at http://discoscratch.co.uk/radio/ from 9-11pm (GMT)

UK Fresh 86

Did you know that today is exactly 29 years to the day since arguably the UK's biggest 80s hip hop festival took place?
Saturday July 19th 1986 was the date, Wembley Arena was the venue.
Playing live over two separate shows - one in the afternoon, the other in the evening were the following acts:

GRANDMASTER FLASH

LOVEBUG STARSKI

HASHIM

SIR MIXALOT

ROXANNE SHANTE 

DR JECKYLL & MR HYDE

STEADY B

WORD OF MOUTH & DJ CHEESE

THE REAL ROXANNE & HITMAN HOWIE TEE

MANTRONIX

THE WORLD CLASS WRECKIN KRU

ALEEM

Word Of Mouth MCs

Punter

More punters

Aleem and Leroy Burgess

Bambaataa

Captain Rock

The Furious 5

Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde

DJ Cheese

Dre & The World Class Wreckin Kru

Lovebug Starski

Mantronix

Mona Lisa with The World Class Wreckin Kru

Bambaata & Soulsonic

The crowd

Another crowd shot

Cheese signing autographs

Seating only

UK B-boys in '86

GM Flash

The Furious 5

Mantronik & Mike Allen

Mike looking sharp

Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde

I will always regret in never having gone as in retrospect this concert seems to be the greatest hip hop event that ever took place in the UK. However I have a tape-rip of most of the acts and many pictures of the day after scouring the 'net.
If I recall correctly I think I was doing my school Work Experience at the time of this in Sainsbury's in deepest, darkest Camberley, Surrey. I remember being in the warehouse out the back and listening to a Mike Allen show on my Walkman as a way of compensating.

As it's the 30 years anniversary next year wouldn't it be great if there was an event to mark the occasion? Street Sounds I'm sure are probably already aware. At least I'd hope they were. 

For more info on UK Fresh 86 go to Simmo's excellent Mike Allen website here.
And also please check this great recent post from the man, Waxer.

Also, whilst flicking through an old issue of Grand Slam Magazine I came across this ad for UK Fresh '03. Does anyone even remember this? I'm pretty sure it never actually took place.....anyone?

All photos are copyright A McGuire, Olaf & Simmo.