In this transmission, we’ll be heading back 40 years, to April 1982 and the release of a 12″ dance track that launched a new genre. The track was ‘Planet Rock’ by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, and the genre was Electro Funk (known in the UK as ‘Electro’), which brought together uptempo rap, drum machines, synthesisers, FX heavy extended dub versions, turntable scratching in dancefloor orientated space-themed funk. Planet Rock would go on to sell 600,000 copies, making it one of the highest selling 12″ singles of the 1980s, and spawn years of imitators. 1982 was the year that turned the failing Roland 808 drum machine into a classic instrument, used to this day, and saw the first steps in introducing a generation of worldwide teenagers to breakdancing, graffiti, scratching and cutting, and rap. It gained notice through breakthrough pop hits such as Malcolm McClaren’s ‘Buffalo Gals’, and Melle Mel and Duke Bootee’s raps on ‘the Message’.
This mix starts with some of the tunes that preceded ‘Planet Rock’, that influenced its creation and were referenced in the final production, including disco and rap productions by Arthur Baker, Afrika Bambaataa and Tommy Boy records, before playing excerpts from the Planet Rock sessions. The mix ends with a selection of electro singles that followed in 1982.
TRACKLIST
Tee’s Happy by Northend (1981)
Havin’ Fyn (instrumental) by Cotton Candy (1981)
Rap-O-Clap-O by Joe Bataan (1979)
Jazzy Sensation (Bronx Version) by Afrika Bambaataa & The Jazzy 5 (1981)
Are Friends Electric? by Tubeway Army (1979)
Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk (1977)
Theme from a Few Dollars More by Babe Ruth (1972)
Super Sporm by Captain Sky (1978)
Planet Rock (Instrumental) by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force
Numbers by Kraftwerk (1981)
Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force
Rock at your own risk by Planet Patrol
Scorpio by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Pak Man (Look Out for the OVC) by The Jonzun Crew
I Need a Freak by Sexual Harassment
Pleasure Boys (Dance Mix) by Visage
Computer Wars by Began Began
On A Journey (I Sing The Funk Electric) by Electrik Funk
Body Mechanic (instrumental) by Quadrant Six
Message II (Survival) by Melle Mel & Duke Bootee
Jive Rhythm Trax 122BPM, Side B by Willesden Dodgers
Cosmic Cars by Cybotron
Man Made by Man Parrish
Mirda Rock by Reggie Griffin & Technofunk
The Beat Goes On ( The Lunar Mix ) by Orbit
First broadcast on Radio Reverb 97.2FM + DAB, Brighton, UK, streaming on www.radioreverb.com on 3rd April 2022