BBC Proms - The Breaks

A few weeks ago the BBC televised this year's Proms. Unfortunately they decided not to televise the only concert that would actually be more beneficial from viewing and instead only broadcasted it via radio.
This was something different. Yes, it was an orchestra but it was an orchestra with soul, namely The Heritage Orchestra who can certainly parp out a fine rendition of a classic break or 2 (or 26 if we're counting).
Classic funk breakbeats being covered by an orchestra not populated by stuffy shirts is actually a pretty good idea. Who'da thort it?

Not only was there a fine group of musicians onstage led by the maestro, Jules Buckley, BUT there was a well-funky drummer AND, get this, a fookin' excellent turntablist (DJ Switch) to complement them. As if this wasn't enough there was also a gaggle of b-boys & gals (Soul Mavericks) throwing down. We'll never know how good they were thanks to the Beeb's odd insistance of not broadcasting the visuals during the whole Proms specials over the season on BBC Four. But from the sounds of things they did provide a perfect backdrop to this event which was held in the Royal Albert Hall. Plus I have it on good authority from our man on the inside that were indeed dope as gravy on chips.

However, you do have the chance to listen to the 1 hour and 45 minute show on the BBC website. Again, these are never given long and the opportunity will soon be whipped away - 17 days from now in fact.
If you happen to view this page sometime in the future (hey, how's it going! Is Trump still there? How did Brexit go? Did Marathons stay as Marathons after their limited edition experiment?) and still want to to hear it then hit us up. Yeah, it contravenes all sorts of copyright laws but seeing as this blog gets only marginally more views than the latest iPhone terms and conditions agreement then who gives a monkey's? Just like that irritating northern England broadband supplier, we'll do you proud.

These are the breaks... (sorry):

01 Apache (The Incredible Bongo Band)
02 It’s Just Begun (The Jimmy Castor Bunch)
03 Hot Wheels - The Chase (Badder Than Evil)
04 Space Funk (Manzel)
05 Think (About It) (Lyn Collins)
06 Goldfish (The Herbaliser)
07 North Carolina (The Poets of Rhythm)
08 Get on the Good Foot )James Brown)
09 Forty Days (Billy Brooks)
10 Freaky Dancing (Cameo)
11 All This Love That I’m Giving (Gwen McCrae)
12 Castles (The Futures)
13 Ashley’s Roachclip (The Soul Searchers)
14 Rock Steady (Aretha Franklin)
15 Give It Up or Turnit a Loose (James Brown)
16 Get Up (One Way)
17 Ready or Not (Herbie Hancock)
18 More Bounce to the Ounce (Zapp)
19 All Over Now (Alice Russell)
20 Rated X (Kool & The Gang)
21 The Mexican (Babe Ruth)
22 Night Of The Wolf (Esperanto)
23 Disco Connection (Isaac Hayes)
24 Dance To The Drummer’s Beat (Herman Kelly)
25 Beggin’ (Madcon)
26 Theme From S.W.A.T. (Rhythm Heritage)

Trevor's Rapper's Delight

Being that we have just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of arguably the first rap record, Rapper's Delight (it's not), BBC Radio 2 decided to shove out another of it's ever-so-informative hip-hop documentaries.
The usually-reliable Trevor (these days sans his mad hat) Nelson is on board to trawl out the old heads to chat about stories we've heard a million times before over safe, radio versions of commercial rap classics.
Morgan Khan pops up at one point to talk about the Streetsounds Electro series and mentions UK Fresh 86 where we learn that Mick Jagger was in the audience - it's one of those facts that you probably already knew but forgot.
Monie Love materialises and uses her Battersea Voice as she's addressing her British crowd which I thought was awfully nice of her. Trevor gets a bit flustered and thinks that Ladies First was recorded in 2006. No one bats an eyelid.

Anyway, it's a pleasant way to pass an hour if you're bored but note that this is a limited time listening only (at the time of writing just over two weeks left).

I won't give this a rating out of 5 but instead shall just say that normally I record/rip hip-hop-related programmes from BBC iPlayer for prosperity. This time I listened to it on the Sounds app and went on about my day afterwards.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00089yn