Tune #58 revisited!

I believe that I own a review for Tune #58:

THE FATBACK BAND - IS THIS THE FUTURE?

I do not recall where I came across this song (it has been 2 years since the original post!). Nevertheless, I should try to fill in the gaps for a track of an old era.

The Fatback Band is a musical ensemble created in 1970 by drummer Bill Curtis, who had an idea of fusing the so-called New Orleans 'fatback' jazz beat with West Indie and Caribbean rhythms. Through 40 decades, the band delivered 35 albums with the help of approximately 100 members (including both regular members & guest stars).

Despite its large output, the band are not known to the masses, since they had scored minor success to the charts. That's a pity, due to the fact that their back catalogue is definitely worth listening but most of all taking into account that they were responsible for the release of the first rap single King Tim III (Personality Rock), surfaced a few months before the classic Rapper's Delight by The Sugarhill Gang.

Is This The Future? was released in 1983 by American Spring Records. While most European countries were in the fever of Italo Disco (a disco variation originated by Italy), US was still kicking with the funk stuff, supported by the emerging music genres of hip hop & electro-boogie.

So, what it so special for this track? OK, some basic ingredients for a neat funky song are detected: smooth intro, vocoded samples (in order to follow the trend of electro music), strutting bass hook and a great alto sax (by Ed Jackson).

However, the highlight is that despite its funk-oriented nature, the track is not about the typical feel-good vibes, considering the pessimistic lyrics coming into life with the deep & raspy raps of Gerry Bledsoe. It is a little funny how a funky song has a political meaning, wanting to stress the social/economic issues of Reagan's tenure. Even in that way, the jam leaves listeners with a sweet taste.

Trivia: The first track produced by Nick Bracegirdle (under his Disco Citizens alias), named Right Here Right Know, features a sample from FB's Spread Love, which is also included in studio album Is This A Future?.

Tune #82: Young American Primitive - Sunrise

Do you remember Greg Scanavino?

YOUNG AMERICAN PRIMITIVE - SUNRISE


Mostly known as Young American Primitive, Greg Scanavino was a member of the west coast breaks scene that emerged in the early nineties from the Bay Area. In 1992, he released his homonymous EP at ZoëMagik Records, a indie label that focused on the native electronic sound of San Francisco. The first album followed one year later, showcasing his initial musical ideas. His music appeared in several compilations and caught the eye (or ear!) of DJ superstars Sasha & Digweed, resulting to the inclusion of track These Waves in mix album Northern Exposure, released in 1996.

In the same year Geffen Records signed Scanavino for the production of his second album African Cosmopolitan. In late 1997, some promos were circulated but Geffen never officially released the album and apparently YAP parted ways with the company!

In 2001 he made a brief return to music production, in order to fulfill his remix duties for artists like Pole Folder, Anthony Pappa & Barry Gilbey. Additionally, he collaborated with east coast DJ Jimmy Van M & Terra Deva for the production of track Forget Time. Possibly frustrated by the strategic movies of large music companies and in search of artistic freedom, he created his own label YAPLAB Recordings in 2005, a joint venture with Jonathan Lisle, who worked as A&R manager for Bedrock records.

In 2010 he released via digital format the "lost" second album, which unfortunately did not share the same quality with his first one. His last traces are found in 2012, when he released the comp CD Continuing Transmission, which featured old & new material...

Back to the posted track: Sunrise is obviously part of the first album and represents the signature sound of YAP. The main synth melody accompanied with the driving minimal effects create a calming experience (best served when stranded in space).

Trivia: the vocal sample "You know what's worrying me Stu? No, Jory what's worrying you? Miss Christian, I never told her my name" is taken from the episode It Cralwed Out Of The Woodwork of the TV Show The Outer Limits (1963).