Currently Off Air

Heading back 40 years to hear Electro-Funk and Hip hop 12” singles that were rockin’  UK Boom Boxes at the end of 1984. This mix is the B-side to the original Electro-Funk ’84 mixes that aired in 2021 (transmissions 93-96)

TRACKLIST
Lunar Voyage by Rich Cason And The Galactic Orchestra
Have Your Heart (Instrumental) by Fresh 3 MCs
Matt’s Mood (Street Mix) by Breekout Krew
It’s not right by Dynamic Force
Placin’ The Beat by Spyder-D
2-4-6-8 Here We Are by Crash Crew
Loop by Tom Browne
You can make it (instrumental ) by The Rebels
Troy by The Sugarhill Gang
The New Adventures of Grandmaster by Melle Mel and Furious Five
Loveride (dub) by NUANCE
Just Having Fun by Doug E Fresh Fresh with DJs Chill Will and Barry B
Our Picture Of A Man (Instrumental) by The Playgirls
Hanging Out (Vocal & Instrumental) by U.T.F.O.
Push (Dub) by Clair Hicks & Love Exchange
Drunk Driving (Instrumental) by Tuga
Shake It Up (‘Til Ya Drop) (Dub Mix) by Barone
People Hold On Instrumental by Earl Flint
Break Anyway by Twilight 22
Space Connection 2012 Part 1 by Rich Cason
Surgery(vocal and instrumental) by The Wreckin Cru

Broadcast on Radio Reverb 97.2FM and DAB, Brighton, UK, streaming on www.radioreverb.com in these timeslots:

Sunday 1st December at 11pm
Wednesday 4th December at midnight
Monday 9th December at 2pm
Thursday 12th December at 11pm
Tuesday 17nd December at 1pm
Tuesday 24th December at 10am
Friday 27th December at 2pm

Heading back 40 years to hear Electro-Funk and Hip hop 12” singles that were rockin’ the UK dancefloors in autumn 1984. This mix is the B-side to the original Electro-Funk 84 mixes that aired in 2021 (transmissions 93-96), including obscurities and tracks that that don’t quite match the classics used in the 2021 transmissions.

TRACKLIST
Temper (Gotta Keep Cool) Dub + Vocal by Gifted 4
Ego Trip by Kurtis Blow
Do or Die Bed Sty by Divine Sounds
Jail House Rap (vocal and instrumental) by Fat Boys
Make My Dreams Come True by Freedom Force M.C.’s
Do the Right Thing by “Love Bug” Starski
Break Easy (The Free & Easy Way) (Vocal + Dub Mix) by K’mch
Out in the streets by Cat Claw (original released in 1982)
They Put Sex in Everything (Dub Version) by Louie Delight
Kick it out by Dr. Perri Johnson
Slice by Yella of the Wreckin’ Cru, Rap by Cli ‘N’ Tel
Emotions Can Be Serious (Dub Instrumental) by Hassan & 7-11
Don’t Let ‘Em Drop The Bomb (Vocal and Instrumental) by Kold Kreu
The Truth by Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five
Sequential Groove (Smurf Scratch Mix) Tidee-T
Frantic Situation (Vocal, Instrumental and Frantic Mix) by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force with Shango
Street Love (Dub) by Twilight 22
Escape (I Need A Break) by Whodini
Groove Jumping by 400 Blows
Let’s Break (Smurf) vocal & instrumental by Sidney Featuring Black White And Co
All tracks have been edited.

Broadcasting on Radio Reverb 97.2FM and DAB, Brighton, UK, streaming on www.radioreverb.com in these timeslots:

Sunday 6th October at 11pm
Wednesday 9th October at midnight
Monday 14th October at 2pm
Thursday 17th October at 11pm
Tuesday 22nd October at 1pm
Tuesday 29th October at 10am
Friday 1st November at 2pm

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.

Currently Off Air presents part 2 of ’30 Sounds of June’: 30 x 2 minute audio recordings from each day in June 2024. Field recordings, ghost stories, music composition, sonic experiments and sound design by Currently Off Air, Xelís De Toro, Chris Phelon, Tim Boat, Soundless Mind Eraser, Naina Pari, Poor Celine, Super Spatial Biscuit Band and Sylviane De La Fleur

First broadcast on Sunday 7th July 2024 on Radio Reverb, Brighton, UK

Heading back 40 years to June 1984 with a mixtape of Electro-Funk, Hip Hop and dance 12″ singles that were breaking into the Groove Electro Funk charts in those months.

TRACKLISTING
Radio-Active (Dub Version For Clubs) by Steps Ahead
I Just Wanna Dance ( I Just Wanna Dub) by Dynamix
Grapsch (The Communist Party Mix) by Die Zwei
Let’s B-B Break (Instrumental) by The Jammers
Let Me Dub You by NV
Say What, Say Who by Alex And The City Crew
When Tonight is Over by Atmosfear
Take a Chance by Nuance Feat. Vikki Love
Dub All Night by Alisha
This Is It (Instrumental) by Roman Sandals
Dub ‘Til U Drop (Instrumental) by Larrice
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby (Maxi Dub) by Orbit
Shackles (Instrumental) by R.J.’s Latest Arrival
Dial-A-Freak by Uncle Jamms Army
Where’s The Beef ? by Tenderloinz
Yes Yes Yes by Uncle Jamms Army
Street Freeks II (Instrumental) by Jimmy Lewis And The L.A. Street Band
Fix It In The Mix by Pretty Tony
Capt. Rock To The Future Shock by Captain Rock
The Hip Hop Beat (Street Mix) by The Rapologists
Success by CD III
Beethoven’s Fifth (Street) Symphony by The VHB
Beat Steet Breakdown by Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five
First broadcast on Radio Reverb 97.2FM & DAB, Brighton, UK on 2nd June 2024

Heading back 40 years to April and May 1984 with a mixtape of Electro-Funk, Hip Hop and dance 12″ singles that were breaking into the Groove Electro Funk charts in those months.

TRACKLISTING
Dollar Bill Dub Dub by Divine Sounds
D-Bop by Spooge Boy
Survivin’ in the 80s by André Cymone
Electro-Shock by Praxis
Rapper’s Revenge by Mickey Gee
Fat Boys by Disco 3
B-Boy by Bon Rock
B-Boy Your Best by The Incredible Body Mechanix
Leave it (Hello, Goodbye Mix) by Yes
Let me Love You by Force MD’s
1984 by Praxis
Here Comes the Beat! by Pumpkin & the Profile All Stars
Jay’s Game by Run-DMC
Catch the Beat (Scratch the Beat) by T-Ski Valley
Live Wire (Dub Mix) by Duke Bootee
Luna Beats / Breakin’ in Space by Key-Matic
Cold Cash £ Money (Dub Mix) by Eddie D & Galaxxy
Crush (instrumental) by Magnificent Three & Fearless Master
Street Symphony (instrumental) by Rich Cason & the Galactic Orchestra
Long Enough by The Last Poets
Spintime by Trouble Funk
Radio-Active (Dub) by Steps Ahead
First broadcast on 5th May 2024 on Radio Reverb 97.2 FM and DAB, Brighton, UK

Heading back 40 years to March 1984 with a mixtape of Electro-Funk, Hip Hop and Freestyle 12″ singles that were breaking into the Groove Electro Funk chart that month.

Tracklisting
A Game of Life (Instrumental) by Lavaba & E. Mallison
On the Radio by Crash Crew
Survivin’ in the 80’s by André Cymone
Run Jesse Run by F.A.C.E 2000
La Danse Des Mots (Maxi Version) by Mon Dino
Rap Machine by Whodini
Blowin’ Your Mind (vocal and instrumental) by The Jazzie Ladies
The Runaway (Mix 1) by Jonny Bankcheck
Gimmick (Instrumental & Bonus Beats) by Duces Wild
Rotation by Sine
Breakdancer by Boogie Boys
The Runaway (Mix 2) by Jonny Bankcheck
The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight (Beat Me) by The Dominatrix
Funky Breakdown/Bonus Breakdown by Awesome Foursome
B Boys Beware (Club Mix) by Two Sisters
Give Me My Money! The Beat Box Boys
Jam On it (Vocal and Dub) by Newcleus
Slack (Funhouse Mix & Slack Attack Dub) by Slack
When Love Surges (instrumental) by Jules Shear
We Come to Rock (Club Mix + Dub + We Dub to Ccratch Mix) by The Imperial Brothers
Rock Steady (Dub) by Jenny Burton
Give Me Tonight (Dub) by Shannon
Englishman in New York by John Rocca
Project 5 (Instrumental Dub) by Synergy
I Want it to be Real by John Rocca
First broadcast on 7th April 2024 on Radio Reverb 97.2FM & DAB, Brighton, UK,
streaming on radioreverb.com

FORTY YEARS AGO: Electro Funk Chart from 31st March 1984 from Echoes Newspaper. Street Sounds Electro 3 was released on 23rd March 1984, including 4 tracks from the Top 10 of this chart (demonstrating just how Fresh! these compilations were). The album would chart the following week. New entries for three John Robie productions (Slack and Jenny Burton), a re-entry for the Russell Brothers, and the sole release by photographer and music video director, Jean-Baptiste Mondino (who would win MTV video of the year for directing ‘Boys of Summer’ later that year). March also saw new entries from The Boogie Boys with drum-machine pounder, ‘Breakdancer’, Whodini’s ‘Electro 5 Track E.P‘ -rehashing tracks from 82 & 83, The Imperial Brothers’ ‘We Come to Rock‘ (featuring a pair of the best dub versions of the era) with the old school disco-rap stylings of ‘A Game of Life‘ scraping in at no.29. The UK release of ‘Renegades of Funk‘ returns to the top. ‘Jam On it’ takes the top spot from ‘Renegades of Funk’. Crucial Electro takes up along-term spot in the charts. The UK release of ‘1983’s Two Sisters’ LP arrives. ‘Let the Music Play’ is still in the charts after 5 months.

Songs they don’t play on the radio: overlooked, under appreciated, and rediscovered sounds from UK, US, Germany, South Africa, Belgium, France Japan and Australia on cassette, vinyl and digital.

TRACKLISTING
星ふたつ Hoshi Futatsu byYura Yura Teikoku from Me No Car LP, 1999
Melodies of Love by Pink Rhythm from Melodies of Love 12″, 1985
Bafana Bafana by Lazarus Kgagudi from Don’t Hold Her Ruff LP, 1987
Perpetual Motion by Elecktroids from Elektroworld CD, 1995
That Night Together With Her by Pablo’s Eye from All She Wants Grows Blue CD, 1998
Missing Apart by tim boat from Villards EP, Bandcamp
Another Country by Mimi and Richard Farina from Celebrations For A Grey Day LP, 1965
The Moon Has No Heart by Connie Converse from Musicks reel-to-reel tape, available on bandcamp, 1951
Forever Walks A Drifter by the Monzas, 7″ Single, 1965
In the Light by Toshifumi Hinata = 日向敏文 – Reality In Love = ひとつぶの海 LP, 1986
Lost in Translation by The DNA Lounge from Antipodean Anomalies 2 compilation LP, 2023
Deepness by Rosa Mota from Wishful Sinking LP, 1995
No One Around to Hear it by Bo Harwood and John Cassavetes from The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, 1976 and Searchlight Moonbeam Compilation LP, 2023
Es Zieht Herauf by The Inner Space from Agile & Blubbo Soundtrack LP, 1968
The Burning Spear by Sonic Youth from Sonic Youth EP, 1982
One More chance (alternative mix) by Nico from Drama of Exile LP, 1981 or 1983
Acts from Under and Above: Scared Song by Meredith Monk from Do You Be LP, 1987
The Quiet One – A by Bonnie Guitar & Edna Leal Williams from Bonnie Guitar/Edna Leal Williams LP, 1965
My Father’s Sheep is Dead by Milkweed from Folklore 1979 Cassette, 2024
Chienne De Vie by Sebastian Gandera from La Marche Sur Les Toits Cassette, 1990

First broadcast on 6th March 2024 on Radio Reverb 97.2FM & DAB+, streaming live on radioreverb.com

TRANSMISSION DATES:
Sunday 10th March at 11pm
Monday 11th March at 2pm
Thursday 14th March at 11pm
Tuesday 19th March at 1pm
Tuesday 26th March at 10am
Friday 29th March at 2pm

Heading back 40 years to February 1984 with a chart run down of the top 30 Electro-Funk, Hip Hop and Freestyle 12″ singles in the Groove Electro Chart from 4th February 1984.

New entries from Melle Mel, Davy D.M.X’s first single, Jenny Burton’s (John Robie produced) ‘Vena Cava’ and Soul Sonic Force’s Renegades of Funk arrives.

TRACKLISTING
U.F.O by Treacherous 3
Intelligence (Instrumental + Vocal) by Monzie D
Lectric Ziggee Groove (Dub) by Ziggee Toir
Hey DJ (Instrumental) by World’s Famous Supreme Team
CHART TRACKS:
Martin Luther by Hurt ‘Em Bad
Megamix by Herbie Hancock
Jesse by Grandmaster & Melle Mel
We Are Known As Emcees by Crash Crew
Jam The House (Instrumental) Felix & Jarvis
Getting To the Point by Vicious 4
Vena Cava by Jenny Burton
Chicken Scratch (Dub Mix) by G. Adams & D.J. Freeze
One for the Treble by Davy D.M.X.
Fresh (Vocal + Instrumental) by Fresh 3 MC’S
Break It Up/Breaking Point by Contact-U
Big Apple Noise by Trans-Lux
Renegades of Funk by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force
Fresh (Scratch Mix) by Tyrone Brunson
No Sell Out by Malcolm X

First broadcast on Radio Reverb 97.2FM & DAB, Brighton, UK on 4th Februa4ry 2024

Full chart from Echoes newspaper, 4th February 1984: