Does there have to be a reason?

marrs-pump-up-the-volume

…cos this track still sounds thrilling to me.

I don’t think I understood why this was such an improtant record as a ten year old in 1987, I just liked it at face value. I didn’t grasp about the significance of sampling techniques or anything like that…but it was great.

And eventually I owned it on 12″.

It was infinitely better watching the video (my brother and I discussing how much it must have cost -and me explaining that they probably didn’t rent the space suits) than the sight of two men hunched over their turntables on The Roxy and Top Of The Pops.

Actually, dance culture frequently suffered on Top Of the Pops. not that it wasn’t featured – just that regulations meant that certain samples couldn’t be used and what have you.

M/A/R/R/S -‘Pump Up the Volume.’ mp3

Happy New Year

young-fathers

A new year, a new decade (as far as I’m concerned) and what I will continue to be another year of great stuff on this blog and beyond.

Seem to have woken up on a bit of a UK Hip-Hop tip today, so why not let’s start with this excellent number from 2009, a scottish act, no less…

Stanley Odd -‘The Numbness.’ mp3

And another Scottish act that I’m kicking myself for not covering much before:

Young Fathers -‘Straight Back On It (extended).’ mp3

This track I’ve posted before, but I figure it belongs here too…

Rustie -‘Mic of the year.’ mp3

And for old time’s sake…

M/A/R/R/S -‘Pump Up The Volume.’ mp3

Simon Harris -‘Bass (How Low Can You Go?).’ mp3

Six of the records that shaped dance music, 1977-1989

A friend came to stay the other week who I’ve known for twenty years. As is the case, we spent a fair amount of time discussing music. He’s been more of a dance fan than ‘indie’ over the last decade, though those two genres are not mutually exclusive. he’s been excavating the old dance stuff, and with my love of music from 1977-1982, it’s clear that this era stamped its’ mark on dance just as much as indie.

Having picked up an Arthur Russell compilation (on whom more to come!), I thought I would post three dance classics:

First up a classic. I wrote about Chic’s Good Times back in March, so here it is again.

Chic -‘Good Times.’ mp3

I mentioned Arthur Russell earlier; I will do a No Wave post one of these days…

James Chance -‘Contort Yourself.’ mp3

This record featured an American vocalist, but it’s a very European-sounding record.

Donna Summer -‘I Feel Love (12″ version).’ mp3

These guys came out of the same Bristol scene that spawned Massive Attack, Nellee Hooper, and Tricky, amongst many others.

Pigbag -‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag.’ mp3

And the first sample strewn record to top the charts in the UK:

M/A/R/R/S -‘Pump Up The Volume.’ mp3

Of course, by the end of the eighties, it wasn’t just New York and Chicago doing house, but Italy was doing ‘Italia House.’ And this was probably its’ best known hit:

Black Box -‘Ride On Time.’ mp3

Of course, there are many more out there…watch this space…

More Peel, anyone?

John Peel engaging in one of his and my favourite activities

OK, some more from Peelie’s Festive Fifty…

Mo-Dettes -‘White Mice.’ mp3
(1980 Festive Fifty no.56)

Shop Assistants -‘Safety net. ‘ mp3 (1986 Festive Fifty, no.8) (For AJ!)

Inspiral Carpets featuring Mark E. Smith -‘I Want You.’ mp3 (1994 Festive Fifty no.1)

Prince -‘Sign O’ The Times.’ mp3 (1987 Festive Fifty no.32)

Sluts Of Trust -‘Leave You Wanting More.’ mp3 (2004 Festive Fifty no.5)

The Fall -‘Don’t Call Me Darling.’ mp3 (1995 Festive Fifty no.24)

M/A/R/R/S/ -‘Pump Up The Volume.’ mp3 (1987 Festive Fifty no.46)

10,000 Maniacs -‘Can’t Ignore The Train. ‘ mp3 (1985 Festive Fifty no.59)

Ride -‘Dreams Burn Down.’ mp3 (1990 Festive Fifty no.3)

Aphex Twin -‘Girl/Boy.’ mp3 (1996 Festive Fifty no.29)

More vinyl goodness will be appearing here later today…watch this space…