Electro: the Definitive Electro and Hip Hop Collection

---

---

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-02-10 rating:
Not as good as the original Electro albums
The first annoyance is that all the tracks are mixed. Now this isn't surprising as it's what you got on the original 80's Electro's. Only problem is that the mixing on the originals was smooth and actually added a quality to the album. I still remember an excellent transition between Chris the Glove Taylor's Itchiban Scratch to the B Boys Stick up Kid (Street Sounds Electro 7) and that was over 20 years ago (Yes I feel old - but I was at school). On this compilation the tracks seem to have been scratched-mixed in a hurry. Why scratch the beginning of Rockit when the beginning is a scratch???? Some of the scratching also puts the tracks out of time and seems misplaced at times.

Next problem is the length of the tracks. Fitting 24 on each CD can't be done if you want to have the full length originals so now your left with radio edit short versions. Again the original Electro albums had 3 or 4 tracks on each side so you were never short changed.

Get this collection if you want to listen to some old school electro gems but not if you're hoping to get something as good as the original Street Sounds Electro albums.

---

review by: Looking for the Perfect Beat date: 2007-12-14 rating:
There is an audience for this!!!
For many individuals of a certain age mention of the original 'Streetsounds Electro' albums will lead to a broad smile developing and numerous memories of attempting to move and groove to many of the records presented in this collection - perhaps when the body was leaner and younger and more forgiving of physical exertion! This collection, presented by Morgan Khan (the man responsible for the original series) appears to be an attempt to reintroduce some of the records from the period originally presented as being 'Electro' (or more properly 'Electro-Funk'), and was originally planned to coincide with a planned UK Fresh event - itself drawing on the heritage of Khan's and Capital Radio's 'UK Fresh '86'.

In quantitative terms the track listing appears to be impressive, 24 tracks on each cd, and a quick scan of the titles reveals tracks which should be immediately recognisable - 'Planet Rock', 'Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)','Hip Hop Bee Bop (Don't Stop), and which would be accepted by period purists as belonging to the phase in Hip Hop known as 'Electro'/ 'Electro-Funk'. But it will also become immediately clear that there are a number of tracks included that were released later than the generally accepted period for 'Electro-Funk', having been drawn from a time when a number of Hip Hop artists and producers had decided to return to pillaging the records and sounds(most notably) provided by James Brown et al in a return to the 'breaks based' heritage of Hip Hop. The irony of this was, of course, that much of the technology used to revisit and sample the breaks drew on the experience of many of the pioneering Electro producers, and also (ultimatley) saw Hip Hop move away from its reliance on a DJ.

It is likely that the individuals who remember these records from the first time around will have fond memories of the mixing and scratching of Max and Dave and Herbie 'Mastermind', and will also probably have a nuanced understanding of the many subtleties of scratching and mixing(for many UK based readers the 'Streetsounds Electro' compilations would have represented their first experiences of Hip Hop culture).

Given this fine heritage, of which Khan can still be justifiably proud, expectations will be understandably high for the potential purchaser. But does it work?

To these ears the answer is a qualified 'no'. If you grew up listening to Mastermind and Max and Dave mixing the original collections then you will be hugely disappointed. The mixing and scratching is perfunctory, betraying either a lack of interest on the part of DJ Swerve or lack of quality control by Khan. Some might argue that given such a relatively high number of tracks to mix this might be excusable - to such individuals a quick listen to 'Streetsounds Electro 13' and Mastermind's mix on 'Streetsounds NY vs LA Beats should prove informative. This fact isn't helped by the varying sound quality of the collection or the obvious use of cds to mix this complilation. Indeed you are forced to asked why Khan didn't perhaps ask 'Mastermind' to take part in this project?

These issues aside, you do get the opportunity to listen to a wide range of tracks which provide an insight in to just how varied 'Electro/Electro-Funk' and Hip Hop could once be. Many of the tracks are from a time when the music could be humorous, exciting, and when resorting to tired cliches about race,sex or money wasn't necessary. And given the length of time that has elapsed since their original release, many will still make you smile and make you want to move......

So. If you are prepared to accept the relatively poor mixing and scratching and abandon a relatively purist position regarding track inclusion this can represent a useful excercise in nostalgia. If this represents your first foray in to this music then enjoy it for what it is and perhaps consider looking further - try listening to 'Mastercuts: Electro Volume 1' (still widely available on cd - vinyl was issued), 'Streetsounds: The Best of Electro Volume 1', which contains full length versions of some of the tracks included here (originally released on cd and vinyl)or even look for some of the original 'Streetsounds Electro' compilations - which can still be found on vinyl.

---

review by: date: 2007-09-26 rating:
This is the electro album to buy
From the originator who brought electro from the shadows of NY and over the pond to the unsuspecting Great Brittain Mr khan made this music available to all.
The track selection covers all the vital bases and the mixing slick a must have purchase for any late 70 early 80s child baby!!!

---

review by: leejgoode date: 2005-05-11 rating:
It's time to spin on your head
Had this album delivered a few weeks ago and after several days of listening to it, It has brought back class memories for me.But i do have to agree with some of the comments regarding the mixing on this collection of classic electro tracks.
Only a couple of the tracks are mixed with a track coming in with a few seconds remaining then coming back in as the following track has started like the classic mastermind on the GLI (whats he doing now i wonder)i have no negative comments regarding the selection as i'm sure there will be a second part to this series.


review by: date: 2004-08-12 rating:
The the album is mixed.
This CD is mixed...a fact that Streetsounds quite conveniently forgot to mention on their main titles. Only when the CD arrived did I see a tiny sticker with even smaller fonts mentioning that the album had been mixed by DJ Swerve. I've no quarrels with DJ Swerve and his mixing. Infact some of the mixing is quite good. On your next compilation please clearly state that the CD is mixed. People, if you want a comprehensive Electro compilation that is not mixed, try Electro Breakdance Vol.1 & 2.

---

Similar products

Electro Sessions: Over 2 Hours of Classic Electro Tracks
Electro Funk Sessions
Tommy Boy's Greatest Hits + Bonus Remix Disc
Breakdance
Electro Breakdance Vol.1: the Real Old School Revival

---

Similar categories

Music . Styles . Dance & Electronic . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . Hip-Hop & Rap . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . Hip-Hop & Rap . East Coast
Music . Styles . Hip-Hop & Rap . Old School
Music . Styles . Hip-Hop & Rap . General AAS
Music . Styles . Pop . General AAS
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . Compilation

---