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Definitive Electro & Hip Hop Collection, The
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RELEASED BY UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK
(Morgan Khan Introduction Sleeve Notes)
In the early 80’s a new phenomenon changed music forever and was to influence and shape a new generation; ELECTRO was born! Electro (or as originally called ‘Electro- Funk’) had infectious basslines, relentless 808 beats, hypnotic and compulsive electronic rhythms and a fresh, new rebellious energy. Electro would cross all social and cultural barriers and be adopted by both black and white artists and audiences alike. If Electro was this earth moving sensation, who were the people and what was the catalyst behind this tidal wave of change that would bring to the streets a new lifestyle and ideology? In 1982 Afrika Bambaataa, a DJ from the South Bronx, blended Hip Hop beats with European techno-pop electronica pioneered by German group Kraftwerk and released the seminal Electro anthem “Planet Rock” based on Kraftwerk’s 1977 track “Trans Europe Express”. But Electro was not just a fusion of U.S. and European music; it was a statement of change. The ‘DJ’ and his new art of mixing and scratching would greatly influence this new movement. New heroes and legends would be born who would shape the sound of the street with their turntables. The first exponents were Jamaican born Kool Herc, Grand Wizard Theodore and Grandmaster Flash who would weave a seamless magic on the dance floor. The States and to some extent the UK had seen black music evolve by the end of the seventies into a Funk and Jazz-Funk scene. Various artists and producers including James Brown, Sly Stone, Edwin Starr, Stevie Wonder, the P-Funk family of artists (including Parliament, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley and George Clinton), The Temptations and Undisputed Truth produced by Norman Whitfield were at the forefront of a music revolution, which was taking black music from it’s lush melodic and soulful sounds, as had been epitomised by labels like Motown, Atlantic and Philadelphia International, to a hard, gritty, groove orientated direction. These individuals were inadvertently preparing the ground for the changes to come.
The arrival of Electro heralded a new vitality in the U.S. recording industry. New labels and players emerged to challenge the establishment. In 1983, on my return to London after having spent many weeks in New York living (and dancin’) to Electro I realised that there was no way that audiences this side of the pond could listen to or buy these new essential beats. Import 12” singles cost a small fortune and were not readily available across the UK to this new Electro fraternity. Why not put various hot Electro tracks on the same album and make them accessible to anyone who wanted to buy them? This was the singular thought process and compulsion that made me start my record label. STREET SOUNDS had arrived! I would never had believed that over 20 years later the Street Sound ‘ELECTRO’ compilations would be considered to be one of the greatest compilation series ever and original Electro albums would be selling for hundreds of pounds on the internet. It seems almost unbelievable that only a handful of people were championing the Electro cause from the beginning. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the considerable input from Mike Allen (Capital Radio DJ) for his unique contribution and tireless energy in promoting and playing over the airwaves the tunes other DJs were afraid to touch…Mike, respect and thanks!
Each new Street Sound Electro release saw sales increase and by 1986 we had witnessed the growth of a scene that had its own language, fashion, art in the form of graffiti, dance; breakin’ and poppin’. In fact, even Hollywood saw it’s potential and released a series of movies including ‘Breakin’ (a.k.a Breakdance)’. I believed that it was the right time to bring a piece of New York to London. On the 19th July 1986 Street Sounds flew over the most happening and influential Electro artists and staged UK Fresh ’86. UK Fresh was the most successful Electro/Hip Hop event ever outside the U.S. Over 16,000 people crammed into Wembley Arena to watch Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Mantronix, Hashim, The Real Roxanne, Lovebug Starski, The World Class Wreckin’ Cru and many other seminal artists of the Electro scene. History was made.
Electro had seen a phenomenal growth in fans and influence. No longer were Electro artists and groups confined to the specialist charts, underground clubs and late night radio. Artists like Whodini, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Kurtis Blow and Public Enemy became household names and defined a shift towards mainstream appeal. Electro was not confined to New York artists or one style. An alternative West Coast movement developed and was as innovative and distinctive in sound as their East Coast cousins; The Egyptian Lover, The Unknown DJ and The World Class Wreckin' Cru are best known and epitomise the West coast sound. Electro also found favour with artists from other musical fields, including Jazz veteran Herbie Hancock, who attained top 10 chart status and won a Grammy for “Rockit”; a brilliant Jazz/Electro fusion. I have also included on this album tracks from New Order and Art of Noise because they represent the diversity and excitement of Electro.
Two events have changed my life. The first in 1979 when I was working at PYE Records in London. I was promoting and marketing a new record label from the States, Sugarhill Records. When I heard “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang…the first rap record and hearing that rap over the bassline of Niles & Rogers classic “Good Times”, I remember just screaming the same word over and over (an unrepeatable expression of sheer elation). Have you guessed the second milestone? Yep, the introduction to the world of Electro.
Electro defined a new era; from computer games and trainers, to bmx bikes and ghetto blasters. It’s legacy is unquantifiable. Without Electro many genres of music would not have existed including Drum & Bass, Jungle, Breakbeat and Hip Hop as we know it today.
Thank you for buying this album and I look forward to seeing you on volume 2…Now pump that bass, rock the bells and LET THE MUSIC PLAY!!
Morgan Khan |
