CASTLE MUSIC

Sugar Hill - Hip Hop Box Set - Limited Edition

Released on 2 December 2002.

30 rap performances from artists who earned an important place in rap history as being part of the Sugar Hill label. Included is the 1979 hit Rapper's Delight, as well as The Message and White lines.

This album spans the period from 1979 to 1984 when this particular genre really cut loose, whether this short Sugar Hill era was as an originator or a commercial enhancement is a matter of some conjecture but at this time it went big and led to many things that followed in lifestyle, turntableism and hip hop culture. Rapper's Delight actually sounds very clean and fresh as does the best on this compilation, but to listen straight to three sides of it can be a tad tiresome and, in a way against the groove, formulaic. Still once you hit the groove then it is natural to follow it I guess.

To enhance what was going on all kinds of things happened to keep the momentum up, and therefore on Sylvia Robinson's part there was a great deal of commercial know how and awareness of what was going down. Artists who may have had rougher edges were signed from other labels and honed into the Sugar Hill way. Funky Four and Spoonie Gee fell into this category for example. Variations on a theme were tried, the female group Sequence and Lady B for example.

The Message for me was more groundbreaking as it was more street and the Grandmaster Flash, Melle Melle and the furious five cuts on this album really are the top of the tree forming 7 out of the 30 tracks. The Spoonie G cuts are particularly worth a listen, although Monster Jam is pretty much a straight copy, or at least doesn't offer much individuality. Worthy of mentions are Kool Moe Dee and the Treacherous Three on Turn it up and Kevie Kev's All Night Long

As time moves on the sounds become more Electro, for example the West Street Mob, a skratching breakdancing anthem or their Mosquito, or 12" mix of I can't stop or Reggie Griffin's Mirda Rock .