Various Artists - The New York Sound 2

Back to the future for more early 80s Big Apple classics

The early 80s were a golden age for New York dance music. Disco had calmed into the slower boogie groove, hip-hop was transforming from block party whoopee into more sophisticated, electronically-driven commentaries, and cross-pollination knew no bounds as rapidly-developing technology hoisted music into new stratospheres. Ace’s New York Sound series chronicles underground gems and forgotten classics from a time when 12” singles and Disco Mixes ruled in clubs such as the Paradise Garage and on black radio stations KISS FM, WBLS and WKTU. The set opens with the Fatback Band’s party-starting (King Tim III) Personality Jock from 1979, the first rap record, before Millie Jackson injects her earthy humour into a genre she pioneered. Much is culled from the vaults of Vanguard, usually associated with folk but yielding sultry future-funk diamonds in Carol Williams’ panting No One Can Do It and the skyline-sheen of Twilight 22’s Mysterious. Also here are Fonda Rae, Arthur Baker, Mr Magic, the mighty Patrick Adams, Frisky and Michael Jonzun and Maurice Starr as Blaze. These classic cuts are seminal, sexy and broke down the walls for electro, house, techno and hip-hop as we know it. With a well-informed booklet, this is a vital document of a magical era.

BGP | CDBGPD 188

Reviewed by Kris Needs
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