Heading back 40 years to July and August 1984 with a mixtape of Electro-Funk, Hip Hop and dance 12″ singles that were breaking into the Electro Funk charts in those months. In a summer that saw the realease of not one but two breakdance movies – ‘Breakdance’ (Breakin’ in the US) and ‘Beat Street’ – that introduced young people throughout the UK to the delights of Breakdancing, body poppin’ graffiti art, turntabilism and rap.
TRACKLIST
It’s Yours (Scratch Party Death mix) by T LA Rock and Jazzy Jay
AJ Scratch by Kurtis Blow
Its Time to Rock by Great Peso and Mr Nasty
Abele Dance (+ Dub Mix) by Manu Dibango
Hardrock by Herbie Hancock
Mosquito by West Street Mob
Master of the Mix (& Dub Mix) by Warp 9
Summer / The Buck Stops Here (Vocal, Bonus Beats and Dub Mix) by Fantasy Three
The Mexican (Funhouse Mix) by Jellybean
B-Boys Breakdance by Hi-Fidelity Three
Honey to a be (Extended Vocal & Dub) by Tina B
Crash Goes Dub by Loleatta Holloway
Breaker’s Revenge (Extended Vocal Version) by Arthur Baker
Music (+ Dance Mix) by Syncbeat
Fall – Out (Vocal and Instrumental) by Der-Mer
Scratch Motion (Dub Scratch Version) by The Triple Threat Three
Who You Stealin’ From / Who You Dubbin’ From by Guru
Time is running out (Last Minute Mix) by Jonzun Crew
Take it to the Max by Special Request
Computer Age (Push the Button) by Newcleus
Tour De France (Francois K remix) by Kraftwerk
Reckless (Club Mix) by David Storrs & Chris the Glove Taylor, Ice T
All tracks have been edited.
First broadcast on Radio Reverb 97.2FM & DAB, Brighton, UK on 4th August 2024
TRACK NOTES
AJ Scratch by Kurtis Blow
Kurtis Blow’s tribute to Kool DJ AJ
Its Time to Rock by Great Peso and Mr Nasty
Great Peso from the Fearless Four with his brother Mr Nasty. Music by Pumpkin, produced by Master O.C. of Fearless Four with Aldo Marin
Hardrock by Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock with Rockit team, D.St and Bill Laswell.
Mosquito by West Street Mob
Sugarhill records track sampling Trevor Horn and Malcolm McLaren’s ‘Hobo Scratch’.
Master of the Mix (& Dub Mix) by Warp 9
Warp 9 duo, Lotti Golden and Richard Scher’s 1983 single back in the charts.
Summer / The Buck Stops Here (Vocal, Bonus Beats and Dub Mix) by Fantasy Three
Music by Hashim, produced by Aldo Marin. Legendary in the UK for ending Side 2 of Street Sounds Electro 5, following Breaker’s Revenge, Capt. Rock To The Future Shock, Release Yourself.
The Mexican (Funhouse Mix) by Jellybean
The Funhouse DJ’s only credible release for electro kids in UK before he turned to the rewards of Madonna and Pop life.
B-Boys Breakdance by Hi-Fidelity Three
Another Hashim Production that still sounded awesome 20 years later at techno all-nighters in London.
Honey To A Be (Extended Vocal & Dub) by Tina B
Mrs Arthur Baker singing over an Arthur Baker and John Robie production with edits by the Latin Rascals.
Crash Goes Dub by Loleatta Holloway
More Arthur Baker with Shep Pettibone on the mix
Breaker’s Revenge (Extended Vocal Version) by Arthur Baker
Extended version of the track from from Beat Street Soundtrack. The film was released in the UK at the end of June 1984.
Music (+ Dance Mix) by Syncbeat
Manchester musicians Martin Jackson & Andy Connell (later to turn pop) extend the version from Street Sounds UK Electro. DJ Greg Wilson on the Dance mix.
Fall – Out (Vocal and Instrumental) by Der-Mer
Noel Williams: Jamaican DJ, reggae musician and record producer representing the Miami sound.
Scratch Motion (Dub Scratch Version) by The Triple Threat Three
Part of the early West Coast releases from Saturn Records in California. Soon to be reworked for ‘Scratchin’ 100 Speakers’ with Dr Dre.
Who You Stealin’ From / Who You Dubbin’ From by Guru
Arthur Baker and John Robie calling out the biters. Their only release under this name.
Time is running out (Last Minute Mix) by Jonzun Crew
First heard on Paul Dodd’s Electro Show on JFM in the summer of 1984.
Take it to the Max by Special Request
Slight pop produced by José “Animal” Diaz prominently featured on Tommy Boy compilations. At the time Diaz was releasing various ‘Bugger’ mixes which I assume were more instrumental dubs. However, I haven’t managed to track any down.
Computer Age (Push the Button) by Newcleus
Ben “Cozmo D” Cenac from Jam on Productions attempts to follow the monster hit ‘Jam on it’ with this cautionary dystopia about machines taking over our lives.
Tour De France (Francois K remix) by Kraftwerk
The original single was released in 1983 but was remixed by Francois Kevorkian and featured in the movie Breakin’ (in the UK released as Breakdance) at the end of June 1984. Always loved the electronic ‘click’ breakdown.
Reckless (Club Mix) by David Storrs & Chris the Glove Taylor, rap by Ice
More West Coast sounds with another tribute to a DJ, in this case Ice-T pays tribute to Chris ‘the Glove’ Taylor. Music by the Glove and David ‘Alien Wizard’ Storrs. The B-side Tibetan Jam also received much b-boy attention. A much lighter mix appeared on the soundtrack to Breakin’ / Breakdance.