CONCEPT CREATED & MIXED - planetmeech
ARTWORK - planetmeech
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE AWARE WHEN FUTURE PROJECTS BECOME AVAILABLE,
THEN PLEASE
THIS IS NOT A MONEY MAKING EXERCISE
IT HAS BEEN DONE PURELY FOR
THE LOVE OF MUSIC
AND WE ARE HAVING AN ABSOLUTE BLAST
BELOW YOU WILL FIND LINKS TO THE FEATURED ARTISTS ALONG WITH BASIC NOTES EXPLAINING MUSICAL CHOICES AND INSPIRATIONS
Self explanatory!
Welcome to the world of unorthodox sampling, polysyllabic rhymes, and bizarre lyrical imagery.
MOE LOVE'S ORIGINAL POPPA LARGE
It's great to hear the Prince sample used at the core of the track.
Kool Keith is definitely my preferred member of the Ultramagnetics and probably my absolute favourite MC in the galaxy (sorry Grindah).
With his abstract rhyming and surreal lyrics, I'm surprised that he's not everyone's favourite MC.
I thought I was being clever with this early b-side, but it's now part of the deluxe version of The Critical Beatdown and available for everyone to enjoy (link above).
This also features Compton's biggest fan, Tim Dogg as an affiliate to the regular line up.
I'm obviously reluctant to include too many tracks from The Critical Beatdown, but this matches the pace of everything else at the beginning, and the use of The Jimmy Castor Bunch sample evokes memories of nights at Turnmills.
This is from the second album Funk Your Head Up, but still features the familiar samples and syncopations.
A note for the listener;
Rhythm X is another of Kool Keith's pseudonyms, I did have the idea of including a glossary for all the MC's and their aliases, but I'm getting rather confused myself, so I'll leave it there - good luck.
Featuring on, and from Moe Love's Basement Tapes.
If these 'lost' recordings had been left to languor for much longer, then they may have deteriorated even further.
Star Wars sample✅
Another entry that has to be included without a second thought, TR Love taking over the microphone duty on this occasion.
My first Ultramagnetic compilation was a Mini Disc that I put together at the request of our Southern Hemisphere dwelling pal, Paul Gerrard.
That contained a straight run through of the Critical Beatdown album and some choice cuts from the Smack My Bitch Up LP. But due to the restrictions of my chosen platform, and the need to match my current format, I've added to and improved on my earlier work - it's well worth checking this out G.
Many of these records are calling out for a bit of remastering, but hopefully the varying sound quality does not detract from the underlying magic.
This is from the more recent release of Moe Loves's Basement Tapes, not to be confused with The Basement Tapes.
🤫I've heard a rumour that Moe Love didn't even have a basement!
I remember picking this up in the Virgin Megastore on Oxford Street, before it was replaced by a low price clothing retailer.
The quality of the actual vinyl and sleeve was a bit questionable as well, I should have seen the signs, was this an early pointer to the gradual decline of the Human Race?
I won't mention the 'B' word.
The spoken intro lends itself to the mid point rather well. Although, the message gets a little confused over quarter of a century later??
Unfortunately, I think I may be pushing the boundaries with this profanity laden number? I've only just had second thoughts about the inclusion, but I suppose at least I haven't opted to use Smack My Bitch Up??
This needs to be played with plenty of bass and very loudly!
I remember adhering to that advice, whenever listening in my car.
Ced Gee having his say here, as well as providing his exceptional production technique.
More Science Fiction themes. Ced Gee, amongst others, adding the 'shouty early 90's Rap flava'.
For my early years of music appreciation, I would have to say that I was blinkered in my thinking, and would only listen to Classic Rock and Soul/Funk, but mainly Funk. I was extremely suspicious of the world of Hip Hop and didn't give it any time at all. That's until I heard the Ultramagnetic MC's, after that awakening, I could hear the Funk in all the real Hip Hop.
Science Fiction again.
You'll notice the use of the Star Wars samples on this tune also, well it's been bugging me for years, on which of my records these were used. I had the idea to put these tracks on one of my Space themed projects, but couldn't quite remember where they featured.
From the Funk Your Head Up album.
This record was guaranteed to grab my attention, and it certainly did.
Until the wonders of the Internet, I thought that Kool Keith was referencing Neil 'Razor' Ruddock, the 17th hardest man in football. I've since learned that it was probably Donovan Ruddock the Boxing Heavyweight, but only Keith knows for sure??
This also features on the Smack My Bitch Up compilation which I picked up on my first visit to New York, shortly before my memory issues. My almost constant use of the record prompted me to make this one of my very first purchases on iTunes. Unfortunately, my first apple ID was registered with an old work email, and I'm unable to transfer it to the cloud, even though I miraculously remembered my password??
I hope you appreciate my nifty mixing of the last two tracks - I'm over the moon!!!!
Bringing the 90 minutes to an (Ill) logical close.
ALTERNATIVELY, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW FOR THE
APPLE MUSIC 'SOFT EDIT'