Sunday, July 18, 2010

Bill Deal & The Rhondels - Tuck's Theme

A monster of a break that, to my knowledge was first used by People Under The Stairs on the the track, 'A.S.S.H.O.L.E.' on the debut LP 'The Next Step' which is possibly their heaviest work to date and I think they're excellent. Others that come to mind are a UK cut called 'French Guitar Lessons' by Beats In Progress which came out in the mid 'noughties' and more recently check this post here as one of the tracks samples it to great effect. There must be others but those two are the inspiration for this. I'm not sure of the release year as there isn't one stated on the label or the picture sleeve, (which features Bill and his five Rhondels looking pretty dapper I have to say) but I'd take a guess at very early seventies. This is actually the B-side and there's no mention of this on the sleeve at all as 'Swingin' Tight' must've been the style of the day but unfortunately there's nothing special about the A-side offering so you'll be glad it's only a couple of minutes long. I know I was. I didn't pay too much for this, maybe a few quid some years ago now but it's a decent track overall especially when you know what's coming around the 2:10 mark. If it's new to you then strap yourself in 'cos it's likely to knock you sideways.

Swingin' Tight
Tuck's Theme

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Sunday, July 11, 2010

EPMD - You Gots To Chill

I read a recently published interview with Erick & Parrish in the latest Waxpoetics magazine and from the not over revealing Q & A session I was reminded of two things. One, I only ever bought two 12"s by EPMD, 'Crossover', (for the B-side) and this one right here. Two, this is a arguably one of the best records made during the so called 'golden era' of hip hop music. Erick Sermon was no bomb squad type. He found a good break and just looped it, nothing fancy and that's probably why their first and second albums were so good because he kept it simple. I personally still appreciate them as much as when I first purchased them in Warp records on Division Street in Sheffield (now a costa coffee shop, yay..). I'm pretty sure this is an easy acquisition so my advice would be to get it got if you don't have it. It'll be fine, it says 1988 on the label.