It's the Supersound

A total forgotten classic New Wave/Post-Punk-Pop club gem. Wide Boy Awake was Kevin Mooney, bassist for Adam and the Ants on his iconic ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ album. They only released a few EP’s and 12″s but never an album before dissolving.

Slang Teacher was the B-Side to the cheeseball track ‘Chicken Outlaw’ and god only knows why they didnt just stick to this style.

Next to impossible to find in a digital format, the other Wide Boy Awake track that I could never tire of is ‘Billy Hyena’, released in 1984 and still sounds completely fresh.

Wide Boy Awake need to be known by everyone.

MP3: Wide Boy Awake – Slang Teacher

MP3: Wide Boy Awake – Billy Hyena (Dub)

Some sloppy, slow and lazy old school vocoder jam electro-boogie here from Pyramid Plus, back in ’83. A rare gem if you can pick it up on vinyl.

MP3: Pyramid Plus – Comin’ At Ya

Anyone who’s familiar with 6th Borough project or The Revenge will most likely either have already nabbed this track ages ago, or will at least recognize it. Anyone who doesnt is in for a treat. Xavier has pulled out some deep and pure liquid bass for this, frankly, kinda obscene cut. Just check out the video:

Xavier – Do It To The Max

MP3: Xavier – Do It To The Max

Gwen Guthrie and Larry Levan. Two icons of the Paradise Garage scene, and both passing away prematurely; Gwen at 48 from cancer and Larry at 38 from the toll taken from drug abuse. This is such a classic track. Thick and deep slap bass, low and lazy post-disco beat and a restrained diva on vocals. This became one of the real iconic Paradise tracks back in ’86.

MP3: Gwen Guthrie – Seventh Heaven (Larry Levan Remix)

Some grooves from DR Congo, Africa born artist Ray Lema. The cheese lays itself on a bit heavier here (taken from the great but patchy album Medecine [sic]), but this guy is an Afrobeat legend. Tight harmony choruses behind a light lead vocal with a bubbly snare drum and loose guitar licks.

MP3: Ray Lema – Bored Whore

Gwen Guthrie and Larry Levan. Two icons of the Paradise Garage scene, and both passing away prematurely; Gwen at 48 from cancer and Larry at 38 from the toll taken from drug abuse. This is such a classic track. Thick and deep slap bass, low and lazy post-disco beat and a restrained diva on vocals. This became one of the real iconic Paradise tracks back in ’86.

MP3: Gwen Guthrie – Seventh Heaven (Larry Levan Remix)

Some grooves from DR Congo, Africa born artist Ray Lema. The cheese lays itself on a bit heavier here (taken from the great but patchy album Medecine [sic]), but this guy is an Afrobeat legend. Tight harmony choruses behind a light lead vocal with a bubbly snare drum and loose guitar licks.

MP3: Ray Lema – Bored Whore

It’s the underlying element that lifts a track up to a monster groove. It’s the spine of the song. It can be deep and dark, or it can be grinning right along with you. It’s the slap bassline.

1. Move On (Mutant Dance Move) – Fashion
A B-Side from one of the 80’s best forgotten dark New Wave albums, Fabrique by Fashion. Actually an instrumental/alternate version of the single ‘Move On’, I absolutely adore this track. Once it hits 2:34 things start to get fun.

2. My Spine Is the Bassline – Shriekback
Featuring former members of Gang Of Four and XTC, Shriekback’s roots lay in punk-funk and post-punk. ‘My Spine’ is only one of many gold tracks Shriekback released during their Y Records years, but sticks out in my head as most fun.

3. Funky Stuff – Lizzy Mercier Descloux
Of all the basslines featured here, French/NYC 80’s punk-funk queen Lizzy Mercier Descloux’s cut ‘Funky Stuff’, has got to be the hardest. It’s actually a mutant disco take on the Kool & The Gang classic funk cut of the same name.

4. Keep It Up (Superbreak Edit) – BT Express
BT Express (originally named Brooklyn Trucking Express) are totally worth digging through. Their back catalogue is crammed full of gold disco-funk, including this number, which for me is one of the ultimate party tracks. Liquid bass, horns reaching for the sky, feathery licks. So good.

5. Come Back Lover (Remix) – Fresh Band
Another party tune, only one for later on in the night when you’ve found that girl and want to get to dance a little closer.

6. Make Change – Eddie C
Another bouncy funk edit courtesy of Canadian Eddie C on Flashback records.

7. Do It Anyway You Wanna (Greg Wilson Edit) – Mike T
Coming off his legendary Credit To The Edit comps, Greg Wilson delivers more solid gold with a sharp edit of the classic 1983 Mike T cut on Golden Pyramid records.

8. Slang Teacher – Wide Boy Awake
A total classic Goth/New Wave club forgotten gem. Wide Boy Awake was Kevin Mooney, bassist for Adam and the Ants on his iconic ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ album. They only released a few EP’s and 12″s but never an album before dissolving. Slang Teacher was the B-Side to the cheeseball track ‘Chicken Outlaw’ and god only knows why they didnt just stick to this style.

9. Knife Slits Water (7″ Mix) – A Certain Ratio
Masters if the post-punk rubber bass, maybe only second to Factory Records labelmates New Order, A Certain Ratio never seem to get the kudos they deserve. Still one of my favourite bands, from one of the most iconic defunct records of all time.

MP3: MIXTAPE #002: HEAVY SLAP BASS