Mighty Mighty Bosstones

From rap’s origins to its future.

Run-D.M.C, “Hollis Crew (Krush-Groove 2)”

It sounds downright primitive today, but this album (Run-D.M.C., their debut) was a massive milestone in the development of rap as a cultural force. Somewhat forgotten now, Run-D.M.C. were the first rap act to have a gold record, proving that this new genre could have significant commercial appeal. They would follow that up with rap’s first platinum album and first multi-platinum album, as their sales and fame kept increasing (they would, alas, peak with that third album, Raising Hell). Run-D.M.C. changed the way rap sounded, the way it was made, and the way it looked. Rap wouldn’t ever be the same.

Gettin’ ska-tastic in here today.

Steady Earnest, “Scrumpy”

Dan Vitale’s Steady Earnest, back with more straight ahead ska from Dr. Earnest’s Nerve Steadying Spirits. It seems like it’s been a while since we’ve had some ska around here, which seems unusual.

Meat Beat Manifesto, “10 X Faster Than The Speed Of Love [Radio Mix]”

This song was originally on the excellent 99%, but this version was on an interesting sampler, Tonal Evidence, put out by Mute Records. There was quite a range of stuff on that compilation, ranging from the dance of Meat Beat Manifesto and Renegade Soundwave, to tracks from industrial pioneers like Throbbing Gristle and Cabaret Voltaire. It was a nice pickup at the time, and was my first exposure to several of these artists.

The 4th of July was excellent! I hope everybody reading this who had a celebration also had a great time. I want you all to party as much as you can! I have music for you! It might even be party music?

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, “Drums and Chicken”

Yeah, OK, I can party to the Bosstones. This song appears on the Mashin’ Up The Nation: The Best of American Ska Volumes 1 and 2 compilation, which was indisputably a collection of American ska bands. I’ve never known if this was a misprint on the comp, as this same song is on Devil’s Night Out as “Drunks and Children”. Baffling. Anyway, the compilation is deeply inessential.

I recognize that saying you listen to everything is kind of a lame move. It’s a refusal to put a stake in the ground and express your preferences, and mostly seems to be used by people who aren’t really that into music. What this project really brings home, though, is I really am kind of into everything. I feel good about that. Today’s tunes!

Kool and the Gang, “Jungle Boogie”

If you’re my age, there’s a good chance the first thing you think of when somebody says “Kool and the Gang” is “Celebration”. And that’s a damn shame, because for years, Kool and the Gang were an amazing funk band. Records like Live at PJ’s, Spirit of the Boogie, and this one, Wild and Peaceful, were just filled with incredible tunes. This song is actually the one that really brought Kool and the Gang to my attention, as it was used in Pulp Fiction, and I had to figure out what it is. It took some time before I could find some of their albums, but it was worth the wait.