Various ‎– Street Sounds Crucial Electro

This is by far my favourite 'Street Sounds Electro' release ever. Every track is a classic, and the mixing of tracks is seamless, smooth, and inspiring.

From Tyrone Brunson's - body-bopping, electro-funk classic, 'The Smurf', Warp 9's two great tracks of spacey funk, Man Parrish's - 'Hip Hop Be Bop'(which still sounds great today), and jazz-funk electro from Herbie Hancock.

You think that's enough sensory pleasure until you turn it over onto the flipside. Starting off with the Planet Rock inspired 'Electric Kingdom'. Twilight 22 were making Egyptian sounding electro before even Egyptian Lover was on the scene. Then perfectly blending into - arguably the first ever techno tune 'Clear by Cybotron' - brilliant, until the classic of all electro classics 'Al-Naafiysh' comes along and blows you away. Finishing off with 'The Return Of Captain Rock' which was a bit of an anthem with the breakers, and the legendary 'Wild Style' by Time Zone which was the 'electro/breakdance' tune of the time, and was produced by the non other Afrika Bambaataa, who incidentally performs on this too.

If one needed to hear a snapshot of the early eighties electro sound, 'Street Sounds Electro Crucial' would sum it up perfectly. True class!

The first side up till Rockit is sublime, one of the greatest mixes ever, humbling to hear such creativity matched with such preciseness, even more so when you realise that this was 1983. Side 2 features the all time classic Clear amongst other greats, Just Feel It!

The finest in the Electro series. "Hip Hop Be Bop" was THE defining track of the era for me. Incredible tune.

The Smurf, into Light Yearrrrrrrrrrrs, then Nunk, back into Light Years before slamming you headlong into HHBB. The only thing that bitters it for me personally is Rockit as the final track. Didn't like it then either.