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I haven’t played this record in over 23+ years.  When I put this record on the deck last night, I was shocked at how bad the sound-quality was.  The bad sound wasn’t from the result of degradation of the vinyl over the years. In fact, the record is still in MINT condition. But the bad quality came from the original recording of either the original tape-master itself and/or the pressing.  The sound sounded like a low-resolution MP3.  UNACCEPTABLE!   By today’s standards, of course.

Then all a sudden  –like an enormous & powerful flashback shooting out like a bullet from the back  area of my deepest recessed memory, fully taking over all my five senses– the Spirit of Vinyl-Past sucked me into a worm-hole and travelled me back in time to the year 1986… to the same exact point of day and time as to when I bought Electro-15 record from a store in London or Uxbridge … went home and played it for the first time… but upon my first impression after listening to it, I had actually thought back then about the recording quality sounding awfully worse than all of the previous Electro releases.  Disappointed then.  Disappointed now even.

However……. now……… I just love how last night was like listening to Electro-15 for the first time again >> but this time with a genuine worm-hole-deja-vouz. Surreal!

Only this time I was blessed to do quick EQing, compressing, reverbing and simple mastering to the overall sound to an acceptable & reasonable state of being compatible to the 12st Century human ears.

With my dirty-hands, I accentuated the ghetto beefness … I widened the stereo-field … I brightened the upper end … I added some depth with room-dimensions via Lexicon reverb (with careful programming of all parameters; no presets were chosen!  And, as a matter of fact, every Electro recording of mine has different reverb-settings which I’d programmed each very meticulously) … I left-alone some of the record’s dirt & scratches … and, most importantly, I wanted the sound/feeling of an actual vinyl-record to be pushed-in-your-face for the meditative experience of listening-purposes (which might be great to expose the new generation of listeners/collectors to what it really and SHOULD HAVE sounded like for them back then).     The GRIT just had to stay!

I could have mastered Electro-15 so clean like a digital CD-master, without anybody else being able to tell the difference between whether the recording coming from a vinyl or not.  But that would be no fun. HELL NO!  >>>>> I like sticking it in to ya:  RAW BEEF sound with my own STAMP on it.

StreetSounds Electro-15  (Side A)…

Title: Electro-15  (Side A)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-15  (Side A) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• A1: Duke Bootee – “Broadway”
  Produced by Duke Bootee
• A2: Skinny Boys – “Awesome”
  Produced by Mark Bush
• A3: Kurtis Blow - “The Bronx”
  Produced by Kurtis Blow
• A4: DJ Scott La Rock, Blastmaster KRS One & D-Nice – “South Bronx”
  Produced by Boogie Down Productions

StreetSounds Electro-15  (Side B)…

Title: Electro-15  (Side B)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-15  (Side B) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• B1: Just-Ice - “Cold Gettin’ Dumb”
  Produced by The Lord High Ruler & Emperor Of The Beat
• B2: Faze One – “Layin’ Down A Beat” (Censored Version)
  Produced by Dave Ogrin
• B3: The Move - “Greedy Girls” (Extended Version)
  Produced by Cozmo D, Chilly B, The Move
• B4: Captain Rock – “Bongo Beat”
  Produced by Taharqa Aleem & Tunde-Ra Aleem

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StreetSounds Electro-14 (Side A)…

Title: Electro-14  (Side A)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-14  (Side A) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• A1: Awesome Foursome – “Monster Beat”
  Produced by Gregory Marius & Teddy Riley
• A2: Tricky Tee – “Leave It To The Drums (Here Comes The Drums)” (Club)
  Produced by Sam Sever
• A3: T La Rock - “Breaking Bells” (Club)
  Produced by Mantronix
• A4: Mixmaster Gee & The Turntable Orchestra – “The Manipulator” (Extended Version)
  Produced by Greg Royal

StreetSounds Electro-14  (Side B)…

Title: Electro-14  (Side B)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-14  (Side B) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• B1: Divine Sounds - “Me And My Posse”
  Produced by Jerry Bloodrock & Michael Dowling
• B2: Fresh Force – “She’s A Skeezer”
  Produced by Charlie Casanova & Fresh Force
• B3: MC Chill (guest appearance by BeatMaster T) - “Downbeats”
  Produced by Mike Nice
• B4: Skinny Boys – “Rip The Cut”
  Produced by Mark Bush

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StreetSounds Electro-13  (Side A)…

Title: Electro-13  (Side A)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-13  (Side A) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• A1: Grandmaster Flash – “Style” (Peter Gunn Theme)
  Produced by Joseph Saddler & Vincent Castellano
• A2: Afrika Bambaataa & Family – “Bambaataa’s Theme” (Assault On Precinct 13)
  Produced by Rae Serrano, Leroi Evans & Afrika Bambaataa
• A3: Hashim - “UK Fresh ’86″ (The Anthem)
  Featuring MC Devon
  Produced by Paul Phillips
• A4: Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde – “Fast Life”
  Produced by Kurtis Blow
• A5: Aleem - “Get Loose”
  Produced by Tunde-Ra Aleem, Taharqa Aleem, Leroy Burgess & Sonny Davenport
• A6: Masquerade - “(Solution To) The Problem” (The DEFinitive Dance Mix)
  Produced by Paul Phillips
• A7: Sir Mix-A-Lot - “Square Dance Rap” (Power Mix)
  Produced by Sir Mix-A-Lot
• A8: Captain Rock - “Return Of Captain Rock”
  Produced by The Fantastic Aleems
• A9: Information Society - “Running” (“The Nest” Remix)
  Produced by Paul Schwitters
• A10: World Class Wreckin’ Cru - “Mission Possible”
  Produced by Lonzo & Dr. Dre

StreetSounds Electro-13  (Side B)…

Title: Electro-13  (Side B)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-13  (Side B) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• B1: Lovebug Starski - “Amityville”
  Produced by Kurtis Blow
• B2: Joe Ski Love – “Pee-Wee’s Dance”
  Produced by Vincent Davis
• B3: Just-Ice - “Latoya”
  Produced by Biggy Rat & Itchy Brother
• B4: MC Chill – “The Prophecy, Part 1″ (The Beginning)
  Produced by Mike Nice
• B5: Eric B & Rakim - “Eric B. Is President”
  Featuring Rakim
  Produced by Eric Barrier
• B6: MC Boob aka Steady B - “Bring The Beat Back” (Vocal)
  Produced by Lawrence Goodman
• B7: The Real Roxanne with Hitman Howie Tee - “(Bang Zoom) Let’s Go Go Go”
  Produced by Full Force
• B8: Roxanne Shante - “Queen Of Rox (Shante Rox On)” (Street Version)
  Produced by Marely Marl
• B9: Easy Mike - “The State We’re In” (Vocal)
  Featuring MC Sure Shot
  Produced by Easy Mike
• B10: Mantronix - “Ladies”
  Produced by Mantronix
• B11: Family Quest - “Sleep Walking”
  Produced by Paul Phillips, David Toop & Steve Beresford

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StreetSounds Electro-12  (Side A)…

Title: Electro-12  (Side A)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-12  (Side A) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• A1: Grandmaster Flash – “Fastest  Man Alive”
  Produced by Joseph Saddler & Vincent Castellano
• A2: Fat Boys – “Beat Box Is Rocking”
  Produced by David Orgin, Garry Rottger & Darren Robinson
• A3: Sir Mix-A-Lot - “Square Dance Rap” (Rodeo Drive Mix)
  Produced by Sir Mix-A-Lot
• A4: Ghetto Style (with the 2 Live Crew) – “Trow The D. And Ghetto Bass”
  Produced by L.S. Walker & D Hobbs

StreetSounds Electro-12  (Side B)…

Title: Electro-12  (Side B)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-12  (Side B) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• B1: Ultimate III - “Ultimate III Live!”
  Produced by Isaac Wright & Adrian “Tank” McRae
• B2: MC Chill – “MC Story”
  Produced by Mike Nice
• B3: Celebrity Club - “Girls (Rulin’ The World)”
  Featuring Royal Silk
  Produced by L. Brown & R. Ahee
• B4: Whodini – “Funky Beat”
  Produced by Larry Smith

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StreetSounds Electro-11  (Side A)…

Title: Electro-11  (Side A)
Mixed by: The Frog & Mad Dog Harris
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-11  (Side A) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• A1: Roxanne Shante – “Def Fresh Crew”
  Produced by M.M.E. Ltd.
• A2: Awesome Foursome – “Monster Beat”
  Produced by Gregory Marius & Teddy Riley
• A3: Captain Rock - “You Stink”
  Produced by Spyder “D” & T&T Aleen
• A4: Disco Four – “Get Busy”
  Produced by Gregory Marius & Teddy Riley
• A5: 12:41 – “Success Is The Word”
  Produced by David Eng & Kenny Beck

StreetSounds Electro-11  (Side B)…

Title: Electro-11  (Side B)
Mixed by: The Frog & Mad Dog Harris
Year: 1986
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-11  (Side B) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• B1: The B-Boys - “Girls – Part 2″
  Produced by Vincent Davis
• B2: Stetsasonic – “Just Say Stet”
  Produced by Tom Siverman & Stetsasonic
• B3: The 2 Live Crew – “What I Like”
  Produced by The 2 Live Crew
• B4: Hashim - “Primrose Path”
  Produced by Hashim
• B5: Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde – “Butt Naked”
  Produced by Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde

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StreetSounds Electro-10  (Side A)…

Title: Electro-10  (Side A)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1985
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-10  (Side A) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• A1: Tricky Tee – “Johnny The Fox”
  Produced by Mantronix
• A2: Roxanne Shante – “Bite This”
  Produced by Marley Marl
• A3: Dynamic Duo – “Knights Of The Turntables”
  Featuring Shaquan
  Produced by Matt Noble & Kevin Calhoun
• A4: 19th Fleet – “Star Raid”
  Produced by Matt Noble & Kevin Calhoun

StreetSounds Electro-10  (Side B)…

Title: Electro-10  (Side B)
Mixed by: Herbie ‘Mastermind’ Laidley
Year: 1985
Label: StreetSounds
Media Source: Recorded straight from 12-inch record to enhanced digital.

StreetSounds Electro-10  (SideB) (mp3)

Tracklisting

• B1: Run DMC - “Together Forever”
  Produced by Russell Simmons & Larry Smith
• B2: MC Craig G – “Transformer”
  Produced by Marley Marl
• B3: DJ Born Supreme Allah – “Two, Three, Break”
  Produced by Born Supreme Allah
• B4: Freestyle - “Don’t Stop The Rock”
  Produced by “Pretty” Tony & Sherman Nealy

Egyptian Lover – “Freak-A-Holic” (12 Inch Long Versionl)..

Artist: The Egyptian Lover
Title: Freak-A-Holic (12 Inch Long Version)
Year: 1986
Label: Egyptian Empire Records

Egyptian Lover – “Freak-A-Holic” (12 Inch Long Version) (mp3)

Music Video: The Egyptian Lover – “Freak-A-Holic”…

Since the Egyptian protests are all over the news lately, I’ve figured why not post some of Egytpian Lover’s oldschool electro hip-hop tracks.  The very first time I’ve heard an Egyptian Lover’s track was back in 1984.  A track titled Egypt Egypt on a DJ-mixed electro/hip-hop compilation record, released by StreetSounds, called Electro-5 on side-A — which is also available on this site. The second track I’ve heard by Egyptian Lover was My House On The Nile on StreetSounds Electro-6, side-B, which is also available on this site. And the third track I’ve heard by Egyptian Lover was Girls on StreetSounds Electro-7, side-A — again, also available on this site. After being exposed to those three tracks between 1984 and 1985, that was when I’ve decided to hunt and collect  as many Egyptian Lover 12″ singles as I could find on the market.  I’ve bought several of his 12″ singles on vinyl back then from Toronto, London and New York.

The Egyptian Lover is Greg Broussard — born on August 31, 1963.  He’s an American musician, rapper, vocalist, producer and DJ from Los Angeles.  Greg Broussard was one of the first men to pioneer the hip-hop/electro sound from LA.  One of his main influences was Man Parrish’s track track Hip-Hop Be Bop (Don’t Stop) — whom I’ve also blogged about on this site — so click here to read that article.

With just a Roland TR-808 drum machine among other flagship analog synthesizers and digital samplers, Greg Broussard rocked (and still can rock) the house.

Egyptian Lover – “Egypt, Egypt” (12″ Vinyl)..

Artist: The Egyptian Lover
Title: Egypt, Egypt (12″ Vinyl)
Year: 1984
Label: Egyptian Empire Records

Egyptian Lover – “Egypt, Egypt” (12″ Vinyl) (mp3)

The first time I heard LL Cool J was when I was at the movies.  There he was …right before my eyes …making his first film debut in Krush Groove and literally performing to the audience for the first time his debut track I Can’t Live Without My Radio.  It blew me away!  By the time the release of his first album Radio made it to Starsounds record store in Toronto, Canada, I was one of the first to get a copy.  The LP version of You’ll Rock is not as wicked as this remix posted here, but nonetheless it’s still good.  I considered LL Cool J to be one of my first serious, solid and harder/core rappers in the music scene of 1985, as he was the first rapper/artist to be signed with Def Jam Recordings (hence, the story of Krush Groove movie was somewhat like the real story of how Def Jam got started).

LL Cool J – “You’ll Rock” (Remix)…

Artist: LL Cool J
Title: You’ll Rock (Remix)
Year: 1985
Label: Def Jam Recordings

LL Cool J – “You’ll Rock” (Remix) (mp3)

Early LL Cool J’s film & music debut in Krush Groove (1985)…

Break Machine – “Street Dance” (Extended/Vocal)…

Artist: Break Machine
Title: Street Dance (Extended/Vocal)
Year: 1983
Label: Sire Records Company

Break Machine – “Street Dance” (Extended/Vocal) (mp3)

Music Video: Break Machine – “Street Dance”…