James Brown remixado por Benji B e J Rocc

In celebration of Hip Hop's 50th year, we've teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded Rap music, mixed by Chris Read. Alongside the Hip Hop series, this companion Breaks series takes our re-cap of Rap History a level deeper, this time reconstructing the classics of the Hip Hop canon from their constituent sample material. Arranged chronologically of course, this sixth volume pieces together popular Hip Hop tunes from the year of 1991, utilising only the Funk, Soul, Rock, Jazz and Disco tracks from which they were originally constructed - over 100 breaks in the mix! Artwork pays homage to Paul Winley's iconic 'Super Disco Brakes' compilation series.

Track list:

1. Funkadelic - Hardcore Jollies (sampled by DJ Quik - Born and Raised in Compton)
2. George McCrae - Get Lifted [Loop] (sampled by Compton's Most Wanted - They Still Gafflin)
3. Funkadelic - Good Old Music [Loop] (sampled by Compton's Most Wanted - They Still Gafflin)
4. Isaac Hayes - Do Your Thing (sampled by Compton's Most Wanted - They Still Gafflin)
5. Compton's Most Wanted - One Time Gaffled Em Up [Extract] (sampled by Compton's Most Wanted - They Still Gafflin)
6. King Tee - Act a Fool (Compton Mix) [Extract] (sampled by Compton's Most Wanted - They Still Gafflin)
7. The Gap Band - Burn Rubber On Me [Extract] (sampled by Compton's Most Wanted - They Still Gafflin)
8. Smokey Robinson - Do Like I Do (sampled by Scarface - Good Girl Gone Bad)
9. The Three Sounds - Repeat After Me (sampled by Main Source - Vamos a Rapiar)
10. Myra Barnes - Message from the Soul Sisters [Extract] (sampled in Main Source - Vamos a Rapiar)
11. Skull Snaps - I Turn My Back on Love [Loop] (sampled in Main Source - Just Hangin Out)
12. Vanessa Kendrick - 90% of Me Is you (sampled in Main Source - Just Hangin Out)
13. Sister Nancy - Bam Bam (sampled in Main Source - Just Hangin Out)
14. Average White Band - Your Love Is a Miracle (sampled in Del the Funky Homosapien - Hoodz Come In Dozens)
15. The Meters - Cissy Strut [Extract] (sampled in Del the Funky Homosapien - Same Ol' Thing)
16. The Meters - Rigor Mortis (sampled in Del the Funky Homosapien - Same Ol' Thing)
17. The Meters - Same Old Thing (sampled in Del the Funky Homosapien - Same Ol' Thing)
18. Mouth & MacNeal - A.B.C (sampled in Black Sheep - The Menage)
19. The Meters - Pungee (sampled in Ice Cube - Color Blind)
20. The Blackbyrds - Wilford's Gone (sampled in Compton's Most Wanted - Def Wish)
21. Extract from the movie Young Guns II (sampled in Compton's Most Wanted - Def Wish)
22. Zapp - Be Alright (sampled in Big Daddy Kane - Prince of Darkness)
23. Joe Tex - Papa Was Too [Loop] (sampled in Ed OG & Da Bulldogs - Dedicated to the Right Wingers)
24. Parliament - Dr. Funkenstein (sampled in Ed OG & Da Bulldogs - Dedicated to the Right Wingers)
25. The Bar Kays - Let's Have Some Fun [Extract] (sampled in Ed OG & Da Bulldogs - Dedicated to the Right Wingers)
26. Roy Ayers - Searching (sampled in Ed OG & Da Bulldogs - Be a Father To Your Child)
27. Brother Jack McDuff - Hunk of Funk [Loop] (sampled in Black Sheep - Hoes We Knows)
28. Iron Butterfly - Her Favourite Style (sampled in Black Sheep - The Choice Is Yours)
29. The Bar Kays - In the Whole (sampled in Fu Schnickens - Ring the Alarm)
30. Tenor Saw - Ring the Alarm (sampled in Fu Schnickens - Ring the Alarm)
31. Just Ice - Going Way Back [Loop] (sampled in Fu Schnickens - Ring the Alarm)
32. Jackie Jackson - Is It Him or Me [Loop] (sampled in A Tribe Called Quest - The Infamous Date Rape)
33. Heatwave - The Star of a Story (sampled in A Tribe Called Quest - Verse from the Abstract)
34. Doug E Fresh. feat Slick Rick - La Di Da Di [Extract] (sampled in De La Soul - Talkin Bout Hey Love)
35. Stevie Wonder - Hey Love (sampled in De La Soul - Talkin Bout Hey Love)
36. Shades of Brown - The Soil I Tilled for You [Loop] (sampled in A Tribe Called Quest - Excursions)

Continued...

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material The Breaks #6 (1991) mixed by Chris Read

2023 may be behind us, but #HIPHOP50 has some months still to run! In celebration of the genre's 50th year, we've teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded Rap music, mixed by Chris Read. Alongside the Hip Hop series, this companion Breaks series takes our re-cap of Rap History a level deeper, this time reconstructing the classics of the Hip Hop canon from their constituent sample material. Arranged chronologically of course, this eigth volume pieces together popular Hip Hop tunes from the year of 1994, utilising only the Funk, Soul, Rock, Jazz and Disco tracks from which they were originally constructed - 120 breaks in the mix! Artwork pays homage to Paul Winley's iconic 'Super Disco Brakes' compilation series.

Tracklist:

1. Jackie McClean - Soul [Extract] (Sampled in Main Source - Only the Real Survive)
2. Weather Report - Scarlet Woman [Extract] (Sampled in Gang Starr - Intro (The First Step)
3. Maynard Ferguson - Hey Jude (Sampled in OC - Creative Control)
4. Isaac Hayes - Never Gonna Give You Up (Sampled in - OC - Born to Live)
5. Tyrone Davis - In the Mood (Sampled in The Beatnuts - Lick the P***y)
6. NWA - I'd Rather F*** You [Extract] (Sampled in The Beatnuts - Lick the P***y)
7. Bob James - Take me the Mardi Gras [Extract] (Sampled in The Beatnuts - Lick the P***y)
8. Buster Williams - Vibrations (Sampled in Big L - Put It On)
9. Skull Snaps - It's a New Day [Loop] (Sampled in Big L  - Put It On)
10. James Brown - Blues & Pants [Extract] (Sampled in Big L  - Put It On)
11. James Brown - Don't Tell It [Extract] (Sampled in Big L  - Put It On)
12. Teddy Pendergrass - Love TKO (Sampled in Ahmad - Back in the Day (Remix))
13. The 5th Dimension - Let's Find Love Together (Sampled in OC - Ga Head)
14. Pleasure - Bouncy Lady [Loop] (Sampled in Jeru the Damaja - Ain't the Devil Happy)
15. Wu-Tang Clan - Tears (Sampled in Jeru the Damaja - Ain't the Devil Happy)
16. Lee Oskar - Our Road (Sampled in Jeru the Damaja - Ain't the Devil Happy)
17. Roy Ayers - Sensitize (Sampled in Jeru the Damaja - Mental Stamina)
18. Jeff Beck - Come Dancing (Sampled in OC - Ma Dukes)
19. Jimmy McGriff - Back on the Track (Sampled in OC - Ma Dukes)
20. Pleasure - Thoughts of Old Flames (Sampled in Main Source - Only the Real Survive)
21. Gary Burton - Leroy The Magician [Loop] (Sampled in Common - Nuthin' To Do)
22. Pharaoh Sanders - Thembi (Sampled in KMD - It Sounded Like a Roc)
23. Harry Nilson - The Rainmaker [Loop] (Sampled in The Beatnuts - Straight Jacket)
24. Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity - Light My Fire [Loop] (Sampled in Organised Konfusion - Why)
25. Brethren - Outside Love [Loop] (Sampled in Common - Sum Sh*t I Wrote)
26. Marley Marl feat Heavy D & Biz Markie – We Write the Songs [Extract] (Sampled in Common - Sum Shit I Wrote)
27. Archie Whitewater – Cross Country (Sampled in Common - Chapter 13)
28. Detroit Emeralds – You’re Getting a Little Too Smart [Loop] (Sampled in Common - Chapter 13)
29. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feat Melle Mel & Duke Bootee – The Message [Extract] (Sampled in Common - Chapter 13)
30. The Modern Jazz Quarter – But Not For Me (Sampled in Common - In My Own World)
31. Clyde McPhatter – Mixed Up Cup [Loop] (Sampled in Common - In My Own World)
32. A Tribe Called Quest feat Large Professor – Keep It Rollin’ [Extract] (Sampled in Common - In My Own World)
33. EPMD – Get Off The Bandwagon [Extract] (Sampled in Common - In My Own World)
34. Les DeMerle - Day in the Life (Sampled in OC - Time's Up)
35. Slick Rick - Hey Young World [Extract] (Sampled in OC - Time's Up)
36. Monk Higgins - Little Green Apples (Sampled in Gang Starr - Code of the Streets)
37. Melvin Bliss - Synthetic Substitution [Loop] (Sampled in Gang Starr - Code of the Streets)
38. BDP - Word from Our Sponsor [Extract] (Sampled in Gang Starr - Code of the Streets)

Continued...

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material The Breaks #9 (1994) mixed by Chris Read

This is a special mixtape that I did in honor of my brother, legendary Grafiti Artist, OG Slick & his exhibition of his new works at the Legacy West Media in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 3, 2024!

The theme of his new collection is called "I 'Smile' LA. So in trying to stay to theme of his new work, I tried to combine music that represents LA as well as in Slick's taste in music. Peep out the tracklist below & enjoy the vibes...."Smiles Everyone, Smiles....!"

Rhettmatic - Beat Junkies.

I SMILES LA MIXTAPE Tracklist:
Misdemeanor - Ahmad Jamal
Misdemeanor- Foster Sylvers
It’s Funky Enough - The D.O.C.
Como Quisiera Decirte - Los Angeles Negros
Son Of A Preacher - Dusty Springfield
Hits From The Bong - Cypress Hill
LA Fresh - The Visionaries
Los Angeles Times - Xzibit
All I Need - El Michels Affair ft Lady Wray
Make The Road By Walking - Menahan Street Band
Pot Belly - Lou Donaldson
Can I Kick It - A Tribe Called Quest
Lost In A Lonely World - The Ethics
Road Of The Lonely Ones - Madlib
I Keep Forgetting - Michael McDonald 
Regulate - Warren G x Nate Dogg
FairPlay - Soul II Soul
So Whatcha Sayin - EPMD
More Bounce To The Ounce - Zapp
LA Posse - MC Breeze
Holy Ghost - The Bar-Kay’s
West Coast Poplock - Ronnie Hudson & The Street Funk
Knee Deep - Funkadelic
Not Like Us (20 Dolla Julio Remix) - Kendrick Lamar

Dissizit x Beat Junkies

I SMILE LA MIXTAPE - OG SLICK x RHETTMATIC

In celebration of Hip Hop's 50th year, we've teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded rap music, mixed by Chris Read. Edition #12 in this year by year series pays tribute to the Hip Hop of 1998, a year often celebrated as the pinnacle of the late 90s ‘Indie’ era. Revered independent labels including Rawkus, ABB, Fondle Em and countless other less well known imprints released some of their strongest material during the year. Artwork pays tribute to the Rawkus Records logo.

Tracklist:

1. Classic Material Intro
2. Black Star – Twice Inna Lifetime (Excerpt)
3. Sound Providers -The Field (Instrumental)
4. Chris Read – Theme #1 (Scratchapella)
5. Pete Rock feat Kurupt & Inspectah Deck – Tru Master (Excerpt)
6. Constant Deviants – Hustler’s Prayer (Instrumental)
7. Rob Swift – The Ablist (Acapella)
8. Gang Starr feat Rakim & WC – The Militia II (Remix)
9. Gang Starr feat Big Shug & Freddie Foxxx – The Militia (Pete Rock Remix)
10. Paula Perry – Extra Extra (Instrumental)
11. Pete Rock feat Kurupt & Inspectah Deck – Tru Master (Acapella)
12. Black Star – Respiration (Instrumental)
13. X-Perado feat O.C. – Watch Ya Step (Acapella)
14. Mike Zoot feat El Da Sensei – International Customs
15. All City – The Actual
16. Constant Deviants – Can’t Stop (Instrumental)
17. Jemini the Gifted One – I.M.C.U.D.O.N.T (Acapella)
18. Jurassic 5 -Action Satisfaction
19. Boulevard Connection feat Tame 1 & El Da Sensei – Haagen Daz (Instrumental)
20. Defari – Never Lose Touch (Acapella)
21. MF Grimm – Do It For The Kids
22. Vinyl Reanimators feat Natruel, Shabazz the Disciple, Wicked Will, Mr Eon & L-Fudge – The Big Daddy Anthem (Acapella)
23. Sound Providers – Dope Transmission (Instrumental)
24. All Natural – 50 Years
25. DJ Honda feat Rawcotiks – For Everyday That Goes By (Acapella)
26. People Under the Stairs – Time to Rock Our Shit
27. DJ Punk Roc – Rockin’ It (Roc Raida Rockin’ It Remix)
28. Big Kwam – Execution Expert (Acapella)
29. Smut Peddlers – One By One (Instrumental)
30. Big Pun – I’m Not a Player (Instrumental)
31. A Tribe Called Quest – The Love (Instrumental)

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material Edition #12 (1998) mixed by Chris Read

In celebration of the Hip Hop’s 50th year, we’ve teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded Rap music, mixed by Chris Read. Alongside the Hip Hop series, this companion Breaks series takes our re-cap of Rap History a level deeper, this time reconstructing the classics of the Hip Hop canon from their constituent sample material. Arranged chronologically of course, this twelfth (and final) volume pieces together popular Hip Hop tunes from the years of 1998 and 1999, utilising only the Funk, Soul & Jazz tracks from which they were originally constructed – 60 original breaks in the mix! Artwork pays homage to Paul Winley’s iconic ‘Super Disco Brakes’ compilation series.

This mix is also the final mix of the #HIPHOP50 series over all. Thanks for listening!

Tracklist:

1. John Dankworth – Two Piece Flower (sampled in Gang Starr – Above the Clouds)
2. James Brown – It’s a New Day So Let a Man Come in and Do the Popcorn (sampled in Pete Rock – Tru Master)
3. The Impressions – On the Move (sampled in Pete Rock – Tru Master)
4. Jeru the Damaja – Come Clean [Extract] (sampled in Pete Rock – Tru Master)
5. EPMD – So Watcha Sayin [Extract] (sampled in Pete Rock – Tru Master)
6. O.C. – My World [Extract] (sampled in Pete Rock – Tru Master)
7. Notorious BIG – Unbelievable [Extract] (sampled in Pete Rock – Tru Master)
8. Fleetwood Mac – Prove Your Love (sampled in Gang Starr – Work)
9. Bud Shank – Elizete (sampled in Pete Rock – Mind Blowing’)
10. Timmy Thomas – Sexy Woman [Loop] (sampled in Pete Rock – Truly Yours ’98)
11. Isley Brothers – Ballad of a Fallen Soldier (sampled in Jay-Z – A Week Ago)
12. Jackie Jackson – Is It Him or Me [Loop] (sampled in Method Man – Elements)
13. Barbara Lewis – Windmills of Your Mind (sampled in Gang Starr – The Militia)
14. Labi Siffre – I Got the … (sampled in Eminem – My Name Is)
15. Ramon Morris – Don’t Ask Me (sampled in Big Pun – You Came Up)
16. George Duke  – Seeing You (sampled in Hieroglyphics – You Never Knew)
17. Patrice Rushen – Didn’t You Know [Extract] (sampled in Hieroglyphics – You Never Knew)
18. Souls of Mischief – 94 Via Satellite [Extract] (sampled in Hieroglyphics – You Never Knew)
19. Ramsey Lewis – Summer Breeze (sampled in Jurassic 5 – Concrete Schoolyard)
20. Towa Tei – Technova (Folknova) (sampled in A Tribe Called Quest – Find a Way)
21. Lyn Christopher – Take Me With You (sampled in Duo feat DMX – 3 Stories)
22. Wet Willie – Beggar Song (sampled in Jay-Z – It’s Like That)
23. Public Enemy – B Side Wins Again [Extract] (sampled in Gang Starr – You Know My Steez)
24. Grandmaster Flash – Flash to the Beat (Live) [Loop] (sampled in Gang Starr – You Know My Steez)
25. Joe Simon – Drowning in a Sea of Love (sampled in Gang Starr – You Know My Steez)
26. Hubert Laws – Family (sampled in Sadat X – Famalame)
27. The Jones Girls – When I’m Gone (sampled in DJ Honda – Hai!)
28. Dexter Wansel –  New Beginning (sampled in The Lox – Money, Power, Respect)
29. The Supremes – Time to Break Down (sampled in Gang Starr – JFK to LAX)
30. Jeff Beck – Come Dancing (sampled in Gang Starr – The Rep Grows Bigga)
31. Cannonball Adderley – Leo: Rosebud (sampled in A Tribe Called Quest – Steppin’ It Up)
32. Alain Goraguer – Le Bracelet (sampled in Big Pun – Boomerang)
33. Idris Muhammed – Crab Apple (sampled in DJ Honsa – Every Now and Then)
34. Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band – What Can You Bring Me (sampled in A Tribe Called Quest – Rock Rock Y’all)
25. Aswad – Not Guilty (sampled in A Tribe Called Quest – His Name is Mutty Ranks)
26. Brass Construction – What’s On Your Mind (sampled in Cipher Complete – Bring Hip Hop Back)
27. Steve Khan – Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby (sampled in Big Pun – I’m Not a Player)
28. The O’ Jays – Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby (sampled in Big Pun – I’m Not a Player)

Continued...

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material The Breaks #12 (1998-1999) mixed by Chris Read

A mix of some of my favourite beats, breaks and hip hop classics with a twist.

ADAM 1

POOKY - LACES OUT MIX

Welcome to October's weekend mix once again just playing some 
new funk and some older one's all 45's,just a mix to push 
new funk & re-issue's and peace to all the labels pushing the
music foward !!!
Enjoy
Join The Newsletter for the downloads !!!
click here to sign up 
https://secure.pagemodo.com/m/5PJ8UY


1.Love Me A Little While Longer - Funky Music Machine (Black Top)
2.Baby - The Phenomenal Handclap Band (Truth & Soul)
3.Mango Walk - Walter Branco (Dynamite Soul)
4.Ham Hocks & Beans Pt.1-Chuck Womack (Re-Joint)
5.Fancy Roll - The Grips (Ged Soul)
6.90% Of Me -Amrau's Trinidad Band (Weed Beat)
7.Strychnine - The Grits (Mocambo)
8.Chicken - The Soul Investigators (Timmion)
9.Get Involved Pt.1 - Wolfpack (White)
10.Hey Sallie Mae,Get Off My Feet - Lee Fields (Desco)
11.Scopolamine - Michael Leonhart (Truth & Soul)
12.The Hatch - The T.M.G's (Funk 45)
13.Black Boy - Dyke & The Blazers (Beat Goes Public)
14.Nervous Like Me Pt.2 - The Dap-Kings (Kay-Dee)
15.Dance Of The Dragons Pt.2 - The Heliocentrics (Now Again)
16.Freeway Crowd - J.T. Allen (Crowbar)
17.Hot Pants On Fire - The Fabulous Soul Investigators (Timmion)
18.C'Ex -Phillippe Nicaud (Rivera)
19.Hook N Sling - The Soul Command (Soul Fire)
20.Cold Heat - Lil Lavair 
21.Daytona - Yosuke Tominaga (Champ)
22.Funky Thang - Dorando and The Ice Picks Of Soul (Sure Shot)
23.Stay In The Groove Pt.4 - The Dap-Kings Feat Rickey Calloway (Kay-Dee)
24.Purification Pt.4 - Funkshone (Kay-Dee)
25.Leave My Beat Alone - Raw Soul (Plut)
26.Pistol Whip - T-Bottoms (Funk Night)
27.Rappin All Over Pt.2 - The Marvelous 3 (Kay-Dee)
28.It's Just Begun - The Simonsound (Project Blue Book)
29.Electronic Brain Break - Virgil Howe & Shawn Lee (Breakin Bread)
30.The Clayton Break - Virgil Howe & Mark Clayton (Breakin Bread)
31.Phantom Pt.2 - Yosuke Tominga (Champ)
32.Soul To The People Pt.2 - The Fantastic Souls (Kay-Dee)
33.Tighten Up Pt.1 - Maceo & The Flames (Dynamite)
34.Ritual Pt.1 - Soul Sugar (Mocambo)
35.The Popcorn (Inst) - The Soul Believers (King)

Kenny Dope October Weekend All 45's Mix Soul,Funk & Breaks 2012

I am constantly thinking of different themes to build a mix around. With the completion of each mix I typically fall into a 2-3 week funk where I try to think of a new theme for my next mix. Following the Folger's Blends mix I was struggling to think of a new theme. Then, one day while doing a random google search I stumbled onto the above logo. At first glance, I thought the logo was straight dope. However, the logo became even cooler when I learned that it was the creation of my favorite t-shirt designer, Derek from Manifest Worldwide. Given that the saying behind the logo comes from a ATCQ song, I was originally intending to do a Tribe mix. However, since Tribe mixes are a dime a dozen I went in the direction of creating a mix that attempts to capture the jazzy vibe that groups like Tribe and Digable Planets spawned. As the title suggests, all songs on this mix incorporate jazz based samples. The track selection includes music from jazzy groups and producers such as A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Diamond D, Black Moon, De La Soul, Madlib, No ID, Gang Starr, Showbiz & AG, Big L, The Roots, and Nas (I think that's all of them?). Half the fun of making this mix was doing the research to ensure that all songs maintained a jazz break. Some were no brainers, but other songs with jazz breaks were quite surprising. Jazz based samples have always given a special vibe to hip hop music so I hope this mix captures that magic. Thanks again to Derek at Manifest for inspiring the mix's theme.

We Got the Jazz

Live Breaks Mix using all original pressings, 3 turntables, 2 mixers. Performed by DJ Zeph & Imperial. recorded live to DAT. mastered by Rafi at Studio 45. 
This is not the original cover. Real cover coming soon. I'd never seen this cover until i did a google search for our mix....gotta love the interwebs....

I Read a couple of blog posts about this one. SOME  of the comments I'm not sure I agreed with. All thought part 2 was a success for different reasons, part one offers some cool shit i'd like to point out.
This was recorded Live!! not many other mixes, especially featuring breaks are done that way. Sure theres better technical DJ's, and DJ's with better collections, but we kinda brought a good balance of both to the tables (haha) , but more importantly TRANSITIONS!! Neither of us are Q-Berts, but DJ Imperial isn't far behind. His cuts are so dope, Oh my god, and funkier than most big name dj's. The selection is what it is, and we definately weren't above playing records that weren't super rare, especially compared to a Shadow/Cut Chemist mix. We set out to provide a vibe, and i feel like that was more important here. both Imperial and I spent the most amount of time deciding on what to play. But the transitions, whew!! definately more considered than other popular breaks mixes of the day. if you listen to most you can definately tell the transitions were secondary, like a Muro mix. Where as here you can really tell its all part of a story, and seamless/interesting transitions are telling it. And again Live!!

We really had a great time putting this together, and it reflects a great time period when Imperial lived with me for a summer in SF, and we worked on music as much as possible. DJ Paul Nice, our roomie at the time, was driven crazy while we were putting it together, thanks for putting up with us Paulie!! We got a good amount of recognition when it came out. Allthough only pressed up in small numbers, and sold at exclusive locations, it was always sold out and on re order...earning an Amoeba records Staff pick of the year, and supportive comments like "better than [Shadow & Cut Chemist's] brainfreeze'. 

We used three Technics 1200's, one Gemini Scratch Master (really!!), one Vestax 06pro, Ortofon Needles, A Sony DAT recorder...don't remember how we combined the signals, this was circa 1998!!!

Break Builders Vol 1 part 1 ---DJ Zeph & DJ Imperial

During our 30+ year history we have become well-known for championing a wide-range of musical genres, but for many people we will forever be associated with the golden age of hip hop and our Soho stores. The memories of the music and culture from that time are intertwined with the experience of being in that store (for customers and staff alike). Mr Bongo founder and MD, Dave Buttle, recalls that heady period in Mr Bongo history…

"It was a really exciting time. Soho was booming - full of media companies, record, stores, labels, and the place to go in London for your vinyl shopping needs. If you had an exclusive new hip hop release in store the word would spread and it would be a roadblock. We are talking the early Rawkus releases, Mos Def, Company Flow, then we had Dr Octagon, exclusive Lord Finesse bits from Japan."

Hip hop will always be in the DNA of Mr Bongo and a couple of years back we decided to channel that into a Mr Bongo Hip Hop 45 reissue series. Our ambition was to release the best and most in demand cuts from the 80’s and 90’s on 7" in original picture sleeves. It’s a collection of our personal favourites, Bongo store anthems and undeniable classics. We kicked the series off with A Tribe Called Quest ‘Scenario’ and we are about to hit release number 20 with the Egyptian Lover ‘Computer Love'. The series has featured artists such as Nas, Souls of Mischief, Ultramagnetic MC’s, Cypress Hill, Gang Starr, Black Sheep - to name a few. The response to these releases has been fantastic - the demand for these cuts is coming in from all around the world and we are very thankful for the support and love they are getting!

To celebrate reaching release number 20 in the series we thought now would be a good time to showcase the catalogue in full. We called in DJ Chris Read to put together an exclusive Mr Bongo Hip Hop 45’s mix. Chris is a long-time collaborator with Bongo, has a deep knowledge of hip hop, and is an incredible DJ. Perfect for this mix. 

"Every track featured in the Bongos Hip Hop 45s reissues series is a certified classic and a high proportion of these records featured heavily in my DJ sets during the 90s and beyond. It was a lot of fun not only to see these records again on 45, but also to revisit them in this mix. 

In the years after I moved back to London in the early 2000s, a record shopping trip to Soho was a regular part of my Saturday routine and a visit to Mr Bongo's Berwick Street store was an essential stop on a circuit that took in stores including Record and Tape Exchange, Major Flavas, Scenario, Deal Real and many others. The space was small, the queue for the counter usually deep and the vibe was often hectic, but the atmosphere was electric. I have no idea how many hours I must have spent flicking through the racks or stood at the counter trying to get a glimpse of the latest arrivals up on the wall, but they were hours well spent, made all the better by the presence of some top class DJs serving from behind the counter.” Chris Read

Mr Bongo Hip Hop 45s - Mixed by Chris Read

Promos: tracksforkennydope@gmail.com
Website: http://kaydeerecords.com

Kenny Dope October Weekend All 45's Mix Soul,Funk & Breaks 2012

Kenny Dope

Recent comments

HeyAsh

Sacerockwell

Sacerockwell

R 2 R X

Related tracks