Tuesday 22 March 2011

Electric Breakdance (1984)

Who remembers this? Or even the whole slew of breakdance instructional records that came out in the mid-80's?

This comp was better than the others out there in that it used the real songs rather than those pony cover versions that crept out into the record shelves ready to be snapped up by young, impressionable, unsuspecting youths.

Having said that....there are a couple of dodgy tracks on here, ha,ha.
A very strange reworking of Herbie Hancock's 'Rockit' has been included by 'BT & The City Slickers' who somehow missed the whole point of the song - there's supposed to be scratching on it!
This album is worth it for this one track alone and the truly 'innovative' use of synthesizers which are trying their best to emulate D.St's handiwork.

The more eagle-eyed or nerdy among you may be thinking that you've heard of old BT before. Something not quite on the level is afoot here. BT & The City Slickers appeared on another breakdance instructional record - also, like this one, from K-Tel - albeit as 'Alex & The City Crew' on the comp, Breakdance.

Hmmm, spot the difference......


Now, that album had the same front cover photo but featured a white background. Watch out as well because the tracks are all homemade versions. BT is getting busy with his knock-off Herbie Hancock effort again and also in attendance is the rather schoolboy humour-ishly titled,  Joy And The Sticks who attempt a version of Deniece Williams' 'Let's Hear It For The Boy'.


Anyway, back to the first version. Included in the download is a photo of the unfolded 'Breaking Moves By The New York City Breakers'. Yes indeed.
We have the path to enlightenment in 5 simple-to-follow headings.
  • Electric Boogie/Body Poppin'
  • Moonwalking
  • Top-Rocking
  • Footwork
  • Headspin
There's even a little rhyme to help you push your street moves to the limit ("You're a great shaker, but try these other moves to see if you're a breaker").

A great slice of hip hop history.
Here's the tracklist but my pick is a toss between Twilight Kingdom and Jam On It.

A1 -  Newcleus - Jam On It 7:54
A2  - Double Vision - Clock On The Wall 4:28
A3 - Whodini - Magic's Wand 4:19
A4 - D-Train - You're The One For Me 5:10
B1 - Twilight 22 - Electric Kingdom 3:59
B2 - Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) 4:04
B3 - G.L.O.B.E. & Whiz Kid - Play That Beat Mr. D.J. 5:09
B4 - B.T. & The City Slickers - Rockit 3:53
B5 - Run-DMC - It's Like That  4:47

192kbps
65mb

Electric Breakdance

More details of Electric Breakdance is on Discogs

3 comments:

Unknown said...

i bought my electric breakdance in1984 i lost it in1991 now22year's i can go back.

Unknown said...

Thanks for posting this online. I always remembered this record but had forgotten what exactly it was named so could never find it until now. I was watching the "Hip Hop Revolution" on NetFlix and saw the word "Electric" in the same font that's on the cover and it sparked a memory in my brain so I googled "electric break dance" and finally found it. Great memories! Still love the music. Small town white boy but loved the 80's!

Thanks!
Miles

Anonymous said...

Yep, I had the white background....great to hear it was the original!! Great album...

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