See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

Ready to Buy?
findprice
Price: £28.10
In stock
18 used & new from £6.92
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The Message - The Story of Sugar Hill Records
 
See larger image and other views 
Share your own customer images

The Message - The Story of Sugar Hill Records

~ Various Artists (Artist)
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

Available from these sellers.


15 new from £6.93 3 used from £6.92

Customers Who Bought Related Items Also Bought

Back To The Old School 2: Sugarhill Club Classics II

Back To The Old School 2: Sugarhill Club Classics II

~ Various Artists
4.0 out of 5 stars (1) 
Third

Third

~ Portishead
3.7 out of 5 stars (89)  £7.98
Hip Hop Sessions: Classics from Hip Hop's Holy Grail

Hip Hop Sessions: Classics from Hip Hop's Holy Grail

~ Various Artists
5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £3.98
Back To The Old School - Sugarhill Club Classics III

Back To The Old School - Sugarhill Club Classics III

~ Various Artists
Back To The Old School 2 - Sugarhill Street Soul

Back To The Old School 2 - Sugarhill Street Soul

~ Various Artists
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Audio CD (31 Jan 2005)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Castle Music
  • ASIN: B0006LCPW4
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 169,395 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Track Listings

Disc: 1
1. The Sugarhill Gang - Rapper’s Delight (Long Version)
2. Positive Force - We Got The Funk
3. Super-Wolf - Super-Wolf Can Do It (Short Version)
4. The Sequence - Funk You Up (12” Version)
5. Grandmaster Flash & Freedom - The Furious 5
See all 9 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. The Sugarhill Gang - 8th Wonder
2. Grandmaster Flash - The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel
3. Spoonie Gee Meets The Sequence - Monster Jam
4. The Sugarhill Gang - The Lover In You
5. Funky 4 + 1 - That’s The Joint
See all 11 tracks on this disc
Disc: 3
1. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feat Melle Mel & Duke Bootee - The Message
2. Busy Bee - Making Cash Money
3. Funky Four - Feel It (The Mexican)
4. West Street Mob - Ooh Baby (Short Version)
5. Grandmaster Flash & Furious Five - It’s Nasty (Genius Of Love) (Short Version)
See all 12 tracks on this disc
Disc: 4
1. West Street Mob Break Dance - Electric Boogie
2. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It) (Long Version)
3. Crash Crew - We Are Known As Emcees (We Turn Party’s Out)
4. Grandmaster, Melle Mel & The Furious Five, with Mr. Ness & Cowboy - Beat Street
5. Busy Bee - Busy Bee’s Groove
See all 13 tracks on this disc

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below
(7)
(7)
(4)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(3)
(2)
(2)
(2)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

1 Review
5 star:
 (1)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Words (and music) From The Old Skool, 1 April 2009
By pjr (London, England) - See all my reviews
Rap (for it was really still called rap for its duration) has never looked too kindly on Sugar Hill Records. Started as a commercial enterprise, owner Sylvia Robinson went out to get big names and make money. She did exactly that but at the cost of something akin to credibility. Any serious history of Sugar Hill Records has to acknowledge that. Yet history also has to acknowledge that when looking back to the genesis of rap and hip-hop the label produced some stunning examples of early hip-hop, some of which have stood the test of time as bona fide classics. Across the 4 cds of this particular compilation you will find a major retrospective illustrating the growth of both the label and the development of early rap music itself.

It begins with the party time interplay of the first rap hit and, arguably, the first out and out rap record itself. The formation of The Sugarhill Gang may be controversial but nearly 3 decades on there is still much to enjoy in "Rapper's Delight". Simply put, this wasn't just a hit because of its novelty value. It remains a classic example of the good time party feel that must have been an essential ingredient of any block party of the time (even if it's perpetrators were formed specially to make the record).

Selling massive quantities and becoming a world-wide pehenomenon really did give the label the chance to sign more artists and make some other truly great records. Over the four discs there are some of the truly essential early examples of rap. Although the likes of The Funky Four Plus One (More) and Spoonie G started off on the Enjoy label (where they both made some impressive pieces) they arrived early and put out some great music. The Four's "That's The Joint" is a remake of their Enjoy classic, but there is an effervessence the original just slightly lacks. It's musically tighter too.

The reason for the musical quality is the fact that Sugar Hill had a house band including Skip MacDonald, Keith LeBlanc and Doug Wimbush who played on a great number of the early tracks so the label didn't have to use records and play royalties for the fact (I'd call them samples but the term didn't exist then). Their playing is always constant and tight and although it took the power of the DJ's away it seems to liberate the rappers by, literally, not missing a beat.

Sugar Hill Records developed and in doing so gave Grandmaster Flash the chance to make his mark. "...Adventures On The Wheels Of Steel" remains a DJ tour de force which may have taken a couple of days in the studio to perfect and get right across 3 turntables in one take but the perseverence is worth it. The result is the archetypal old skool scratch record, both clever and not without a touch of humour. It's only a shame there wasn't more of this type on the label. The set ends with another Flash cut up but despite being the only unreleased piece here "The Adventures Of Grandmaster Himself" doesn't exactly set the world alight and it's previous failure to surface seems a little understandable.

The record launched the career of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, who were soon the biggest act on the label. After a few party time raps the band finally agreed to cut "The Message", despite some reservations. It showcases the move of rap into electronic music which had been pretty much the domain of 1982's new kid on the block, Tommy Boy Records. "The Message" took back the impetus with it's jittery rhythms and melody and a socially aware lyric which propelled it to sucess across the globe.

After that the label moves more towards the electronic and away from the house band. The Furious Five had a string of hits, almost all included here which mixed beats with social commentary with varying degrees of success. Other acts such as The Treacherous Three (whose cover of "Yes We Can Can" has survived better than expected), The Cash Crew, and The West Street Mob made music which was designed with break dancers and body poppers in mind. The Mob's "Breakdance (Electric Boogie)" being the finest example of the lot.

Furnished with excellent sleevenotes and a heap of photos of the time, this is a fine example of how to make a good collection from a label where compilations seem two a penny. What marks this one out is that it avoids too much filler. All the essential tracks are here, and there are many others which are not so well known. Busy Bee's contributions are lesser known but most welcome here, and the West Street Mob's "Feel It (The Mexican)" will have owners of Bomb The Bass's "Beat Dis" nodding in recognition. All of this at a very affordable price which sets it apart from the rather more exhaustive collection on Rhino. For anyone who wants a bit more than a collection of big hits, this well researched compliation tells its story very well.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

  

Let Olay Amaze You

Olay Total Effects Day Moisturiser SPF15 50ml
Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

›Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

  

A Close Shave

Philips Nivea Coolskin HS8060 Moisturizing Rotary Shaving System
For all types of hair removal, stay smooth with Amazon.co.uk.

›Discover Shaving & Hair Removal

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers
The Girl Who Played with Fire
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
4.5 out of 5 stars (74)£3.86
 Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer
4.1 out of 5 stars (462)£6.49
 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
4.1 out of 5 stars (164)£3.99
 The Host
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
4.2 out of 5 stars (80)£3.86

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates