BTTB-Schedule 5/2004

If you're looking for a broad overview of the Sugarhill label and its well-known hits, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. There are a million of those compilations around for cheap, but this isn't one of them. There's even a fine collection of remixes using Sugarhill master tapes (full disclosure: my friend Douglas and I have a piece on that collection, too), so if you're looking for updated versions of the classics, that's the box set for you.
This CD is a very personal, highly idiosyncratic homage/memoir involving many of the records I bought when I discovered rap and hiphop. I've added a few themes to give the piece some structure and emotion, and several talented and enthusiastic friends contributed along the way.
The rap music I heard in the late 1970's and early 1980's was party music - a generally lighthearted, good-time genre that sprang from playgrounds and social centers in the Bronx. It was rarely heard on the radio (until Rapper's Delight, a song I didn't include), and wasn't widely distributed. In fact, many of the records presented here were first issued on an even smaller label - Enjoy, based in Harlem - run by Bobby Robinson (no relation to Sylvia and Joe), and didn't come to prominence until they were picked up by Sugarhill.
The longest part of this project was listening to the Sugarhill and All Platinum catalogues and making detailed notes. With a few significant exceptions, the material that appealed most to me was cut with a live band doing the backing track, and that's what's heard on most of the CD. The percussive latin touch is very much in evidence on some of the hottest records. As Cut Chemist notes in the mix, "Sugarhill just had the timbale section on the lockdown." The rappers work in a percussive, syncopated fashion that adds a mighty acceleration to the tracks. There's a real feel of a genre discovering itself, having a party along the way.
Thanks to the other people involved: Paul and Duncan at Sanctuary, for the opportunity. DJ Signify, whose turntable skills, sunny disposition, and analytical ear add immeasurably to the vibe. DJ Milo, who contributed his enthusiasm and deep emotion about the music that's so important to us both. Prince Paul, for devising (on the fly) the saga of the never-ending demo. Cut Chemist, who took time out of a busy schedule to listen and contribuee his critical expertise. Lars Hoel, for his voice-over talent and patience with my "news" writing.
I had a ball putting this CD together. I hope you enjoy it.

Steinski - "Intro" (Antidote 2003)
Grandmaster Melle Mel - "Freestyle" (Sugarhill)
Sugarhill Gang - "Livin' In The Fast Lane" (Sugarhill)
Spoonie Gee - "Spoonie's Back" (Sugarhill)
Busy Bee - "Makin' Cash Money" (Sugarhill 1982)
Sequence - "Fi Ya Up That Funk" (Sugarhill)
Treacherous Three - "Yes We Can Can (interlude)" (Sugarhill 1982)
Kool Moe Dee - "Do You Know What Time It Is" (Jive 1987)
The Whatnauts - "Why Can't People Be Colours Too (interlude)" (Stang 1974)
Busy Bee - "Busy Bee's Groove" (Sugarhill)
Treacherous Three - "Feel The Heartbeat" (Enjoy 1981)
Sequence + Spoonie Gee - "Monsterjam" (Sugarhill 1980)
Sylvia - "It's Good To Be The Queen" (Sugarhill 1981)
Funky 4 + 1 More - "It's The Joint (Joint Remix)" (Sugarhill)
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 - "Freedom" (Sugarhill 1980)
Mean Machine - "Disco Dream" (Sugarhill 1981)
Positive Force - "We Got The Funk (interlude)" (Sugarhill 1979)
West Street Mob + Grandmaster Flash - "Medley" (Sugarhill)
West Street Mob - "Let's Dance" (Sugarhill 1981)
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 - "Super Rappin'" (Enjoy 1979)
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 - "Scorpio" (Sugarhill 1983)
West Street Mob - "I Can't Stop" (Sugarhill 1984)
Steinski - "Outro" (Antidote 2003)