Looking for the Perfect Beat: 1980-1985 [EXTRA TRACKS]

Afrika Bambaataa

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2001)
• Original Release Date: March 20, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Rhino / Ada
• ASIN: B00005ABF6
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,947 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As celebrated as Afrika Bambaataa has been, until now his music has remained scattered across disparate collections. That's what makes Looking for the Perfect Beat such a welcome release. Collecting 11 of Bam's sides on one CD, the album neatly summarizes his seminal studio recordings, beginning with both versions of 1980's true-school grail, "Zulu Nation Throwdown," and ending with 1985's "Funk You." The tracks are all restored to their uncut full-length 12-inch mixes. The highly influential Arthur-Baker productions "Planet Rock," "Looking for the Perfect Beat," "Renegades of Funk," and "Frantic Situation" are the main draws here. But don't sleep on "Unity Pt. 1" from 1984's fiery meeting between James Brown and Bam. A completist might wish for "Death Mix," and while a set like this demands liner notes, there are none to be had. But, for now, thank the funk gods the void has been filled. --Jeff Chang

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real roots of hip-hop, April 3, 2001

By	Jonathan Green "defrocked cultural anthropolo... (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've waited for a compilation of Bam's hit sides since they were still fresh. There's not a wack track in the bunch.

The music is not only amazing, but artistically forward. While the rest of the burgeoning hip-hop nation was just rhyming over looped disco tracks, Bam borrowed from Stockhausen and put the music miles ahead of its competition artistically. The idiom of hip-hop, or any pop music, has rarely been so avant garde.

Also, extra props are due as these sides commemorate an era when hip-hop and rock were just part of the same game, with either side able to dance to the other.

Run-DMC get all the props from the early 80s, and they do deserve it, but Afrika Bambatta was a real revolutionary. Any hip-hop record today can trace its roots back to Bam.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Starts slow, but ends hot!, June 27, 2004

By	jqr "Know what free advice is worth" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews

To my taste, this CD is back-loaded with hits. The first couple of tracks are OK but the rapping doesn't reach the potential of the music. When it comes to the last few, however, "Who do you think you're funkin' with" being the best example, you may not be able to keep your jaw from dropping. I honestly do not think that these tracks (with the Sugar Hill Gang backing up) have ever been surpassed in the hip-hop genre. They are so dense and complicated and incredibly arranged.

Disclaimer, however: I saw this band live in 1988 and it changed my life. I am so happy to have this album finally to refresh my memories of that amazing night.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars funky hip-hop, March 31, 2001

By	Jason (Mount Pleasant, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

Essentially a greatest hits album, this has all the essentials. Planet Rock, Looking for the Perfect Beat, Renegades of Funk and Frantic Situation are four songs that are absolutely unreal and so funky that these songs are the preferred choices for breakdancers to get off on. The other tracks I view as icing on the cake. The above aforementioned songs are worth the price of the disc and then some. If you're looking for grooves which are so funky they make you want to get up and move this disc is for you. Bam basically started the whole hip-hop movement and in all honesty he and the Soul Sonic Force did it best. Probably the most underrated hip-hop artists, buy the disc and you'll know what I'm talking about.