Customer Reviews

Street Jams: Electric Funk 1

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rhino Records went to great lenths of preserving the roots of both Hip Hop and Techno music. In my honest opinion, Electric Funk gave Hip Hop more life and added more texture to the genre. Early Hip Hop music from 1979 to 1981 had a more stripped down sound, with a simple 808 beat, one synth/bass line with a couple of scatches. But Electric Funk, gave you something to both dance too and groove too. In the first series of Electric Funk : Part 1, we see the orgins of Electric Funk take it's place. Kicking off the set is "Planet Rock" (1982) by Afrika Bambaataa, which the second most important piece of Hip Hop history, right along side of "Rapper's Delight" (1979) by The Sugarhill Gang. To make this review more short, the CD showcases early Electric Funk from 1982 to 1983, mainly East Coast sounds, were Part 2 shows the beginning of the West Coast Era. Only thing i wished Rhino would have done with Part 1, was that should have added the Man Parrish classics "Hip Hop Bee Bop" and "Boogie Down Bronx", both songs played a big part in the Electric Funk genre. But overall, the four part series are one big history lesson in both the world of Hip Hop and Techno music. Another great thing, "Great liner notes, very detailed".

I can't praise this 4 cd set enough.

Sound quality is excellent, decent liner notes - fantastic track selection.

Part 1 includes "Planet Rock" (Afrika Bambaataa), "Play At Your Own Risk" (Planet Patrol) and "Rockit" (Herbie Hancock).

Parts 2, 3 and 4 include "Siberian Nights" (Twilight 22), "Egypt, Egypt" (The Egyptian Lover) "White Horse" (Laid Back), "Don't Stop The Rock" (Freestyle) So many classics and the "Skanless Electric Funk Megamixes" are brilliant!

Anyone with even a passing interest in this type of music would be advised to purchase this.

Rhino Records has their hands on the licenses of some great artists and wisely rereleased them to a hungry old school crowd. Whether it was Grandmaster Flash or the Sugar Hill Gang they made a lot of fans very happy with releases like this one. Growing up listening to breakdance music in the early 80's these discs bring back a lot of memories. Here are my thoughts and track ratings;


1. Skanless Electric Funk Mega-Mix - Steve Yano & Brian Foxworthy 7/10 (Nice megamix)
2. Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force 10/10 (An undeniable classic)
3. Electric Kingdom - Twilight 22 10/10 (This song is so amazing it defies words)
4. Play at Your Own Risk - Planet Patrol 6/10 (Sounds too similar to Planet Rock but with a lot RnB style vocals)
5. Mirda Rock - Reggie Griffin & Technofunk 2/10 (computer vocals vs. the chipmunks, skip it)
6. Who You Stealin' From - Guru (2) 6/10 (Basically it's Planet Rock Part 2 with Adams Family jingles, pretty goofy)
7. Al-Naafiysh (The Soul) - Hashim 8/10 (Funky instrumental breakdance track)
8. Clear - Cybotron 10/10 (Brilliant Juan Atkins, 'nuff said)
9. Release Yourself - Aleem, Taharqa 6/10
10. Rockit - Herbie Hancock 10/10 (Pure breakdance brilliance)
11. Megamix II: Why Is It Fresh? - D.ST. 6/10 (Another decent megamix)
12. Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song) - Newcleus 2/10 (Just not a fan of this song. It's rapping chipmunks)
13. Crazy Cuts - Grandmixer D.ST. 6/10


This album has some absolutely classic tracks such as Planet Rock, Electric Kingdom, Rockit and Clear. It also has some really mediocre to awful stuff in between. My advice is to listen to it for the classics and appreciate their sound but let your ears gloss over the rest. Note: this is Disc 1 of a 4 disc set.

Great Cd, Couple of Good Songs, Planet Rock, Play at your Own Risk, Electric Kingdom. some of my favorites. Great bass and beats. Real Good music.

I grew up on this stuff even though I'm only 16. All the songs blended hip-hip with techno. All the beats seem unique and exotic. They are all something that you don't hear in today's rap/hip-hop unless they use the beat. Missy Elliott got her "Lose Control" beat from the song "Clear" off this cd. This cd includes the mega hit "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force. Every song here is great and major part of rap/hip-hop history and culture but here are my top 5:

1.Planet Rock
2.Skanless Electric Funk Mega-Mix
3.Electric Kingdom
4.Clear
5.Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)

This CD is awesome! I just got it a few days ago and cannot stop playing it. There are so many early freestyle and hip-hop hits on here. Of course, you could not have an electric funk compilation without the classic Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa, which was one of the earliest (And best) hip-hop songs. Play At Your Own Risk by Planet Patrol is very catchy and easily danceable. The two megamixes are unbelievably good, and I think they should have made a CD with one long megamix. Another classic on here is Herbie Hancock's Rockit, which is infectious and awesome to dance too. If you like good, danceable, catchy music, and you are interested in listening to some early dance music, pick up this awesome CD. You will not be disapointed.

Many of the sounds on this CD are about as good as rap/hip hop/electronic funk gets. Planet Rock is close to musical perfection in my opinion. How I wish the hip hop scene of today would return to its musical roots.

WOW! How fast was that. I order this and it arrived in 2 days....AWESOME!

This CD (part 1 of 4) is a great collection of the classic 80's jam rap/funk music. The only problem is that there's not a 5th CD! A must have for any lover of 80's 'funky fresh freaky Friday' music!

Actually this cd is part of a box wich contain 4 cd's all filled with good elektrofunk music starting from the early 80's to late 80's! i think this could be a revival of this typical street sound,maybe it will bring up some memories as well.Nice to have and to listen to. I prefer this sound before house,trance,etc. Good work!