All killer, no filler

Music

Blimey, this is the longest Ive ever gone without posting something Anyway, to try and make EiSM feel more like home below is another ten track old school hip-hop mixtape like I used to post over on The White Noise Revisited back in the day. Ive gone off the beaten track a bit for some less well-known tracks, but its all killer no filler. Word. Heh heh.

1. Original Concept – Pump That Bass

Yeah, youve heard that PUMP THAT BAA-AASSS! sample a million times before but this is where it originated on this bass heavy cut from NYCs Original Concept who were signed to Def Jam and featured the other Doctor Dre in their ranks (the one from MTV). Released in 1988, when it was in vogue to have electric guitar riffs all over your shizzle, this jam still rocks a party.

2. Rodney O & Joe Cooley – Everlasting Bass

Released on the Egyptian Lovers label in 1986, this pioneering slice of laidback West Coast hip-hop had a huge influence on Snoop and the Miami Bass scene. The LA duo of MC Rodney Oliver and DJ Joe Cooley would go on to be signed up by Atlantic Records in 1990 but it never got better than this.

3. D. ST – The Home of Hip-Hop

Im a sucker for these sort of songs in which MCs tell the story of the origins of hip-hop. Theres loads out there, but this one carries some proper clout as Grandmixer D. ST used to DJ with Afrika Bambaataa way, way back in the day and was part of the first ever hip-hop tour of Europe. D. ST was the Jimi Hendrix of DJs he was one of the first to DJ with body parts other than his hands. Hes in Wild Style too, and he did the scratching on Herbie Hancocks Rockit. Real Hip Hop my man I love the wigged out keytar solo too. Gold.

4. Bad Boys feat. K Love – Mission (Vocal)

This is one of those songs Ive got a real soft spot for because I bought the vinyl when it first came out (I was 13). Was released around the same time as Doug E. Fresh The Show (their self-titled debut follows The Show on Electro 9) so it follows the formula for rap records of the time – TV theme sample (in this case Spy vs Spy), beatbox (from a girl beatboxer, no less) and storytelling lyrics rather than just a load of bragadocious nonsense. The B-side Veronica is sexist twaddle but its got some funny lines, which as a teenager I thought were hilarious.

5. Tricky Tee – Johnny the Fox

Mantronik produced this. Nuff said. Well, almost some simple but utterly incredible drum programming, a Thin Lizzy sample and some proper old school cuttin and scratchin. Tricky Tees not a bad MC either. Classic.

6. Skinny Boys – Rip the Cut

The fresh-faced (and thin) trio of Superman Jay, Shockin Shawn and the Human Jock Box hailed from Conneticut and were generally seen as something of a novelty act, riding off the back of the success of the Fat Boys. But this track is rawer than one of Lady Gagas dresses. Brutally simple yet devastatingly effective, with the verses shouted at extreme volume. Weightless, the album from whence it came, is well worth seeking out.

7. Pimp Pretty, Royal Ron & D.J. M.A.$* – Rock the B-Boy Stance

In which Schoolly D gives his weed dealers a record dealer and they turn out a shout rap classic. Royal Rons gimmick was that he rapped in his own special brand of Pig Latin. Check Opsta Now (Stop Now) for further evidence.

8. Sir Fresh & DJ Critical – Sir Vere

The Brooklyn duo never made an album, but they did turn out this blinding cut of proper hip-hop in 1988 – classic Funky Drummer sample, wicked scratching from DJ Critical and Sir Freshs killer delivery.

9. Seville – Make It Funky

I dont know much about Seville other than that he was signed to the legendary Cutting Records (Imperial Brothers, Hashim, Nitro Deluxe) and it features scratching from Jazzy Jay (another of Bambaataas protges) and Shameek (who would go on to be Twin Do It to the Crowd Hypes DJ) and it was made on a four-track. Sevilles got a Slick Rick-esque languid style of rapping and the party-style beats and recognisable samples make it one to drop into your set and have people going, What is this?

10. D.E.F. featuring DJ Three D – D.E.F. Momentum (Hip-Hop Mix)

D.E.F. stood for the Digital Electronic Funk Band, so I guess the music must be pretty live. DJ 3D used to work with Unknown to produce some classic West Coast hip-hop back in the day. Its brilliantly melodic, was released on Russ Parrs (aka Bobby Jimmy, credited as one of the original members of NWA) Hollywood-based label Rapsur Records in 1985 and featured on Electro 9 one of the best in the series.

Read the full post – with all the artwork and stuff on here

Joe Clay

Re-posted from the superbly excellent Ecstasy In Slow Motion the new home for the mp3 blog formerly known as The White Noise Revisited. The tracks posted here are either available with the permission of the record label and/or artist, or from deleted or commercially unavailable releases. Failing this, if you are the copyright holder and want the track to be taken down, you only have to ask and I will oblige. Most downloads will be available for about a week, after which they will be deleted from the server.