Marl

2013 two CD collection. Crucial Electro 4 is a ground-breaking album as the tracks featured include classics from the original Electro albums and also other monster Electro tracks. As well as including the full length original versions, we have included re-edits of key tracks which are exclusive only on Crucial Electro 4! Many of the tracks have not been available for more than two decades. Disc One contains the full length original versions - unmixed plus bonus edits. Disc Two has been mixed by the legendary Kurtis Mantronik with bonus edits.

… With engineering credits given to Eroc back in 1974 this album blends heavy jazz and progressive rock elements into a very captivating album. I do not really think this album fits the genre of the Krautrockers and instead feels more like Canterbury as a sub genre. Musically these guys were amazing too mixing saxes, organ, guitar with a steady core of bass and drum in support. My favorite track is the self titled Kentalope Island which creates a Sun-Ra like space vibe to the mix. A very interesting album and for those who like to explore in new directions will likely find a little relief here.

A native of New York, Biz (born Marcel Hall) first came to prominence in the early '80s, when he began rapping at Manhattan nightclubs like the Funhouse and the Roxy. Biz met producer Marley Marl in 1985, and began working as a human beatbox for Marl-connected acts MC Shan and, later, Roxanne Shanté.

Bouncing between tracks that take great liberties and ones that simply update and stretch the originals, Life Is a Dance (The Remix Project) is a respectful and joyous celebration of Chaka Khan's solo output. The big hits are treated well, with Paul Simpson's softening of the rough edges in "I Feel for You" making it more of a rolling groove, while Marley Marl presents a minimal house take on "This Is My Night." Richard Tee's glistening piano is pumped way up on Dancin' Danny D's mix of "I'm Every Woman," and the lone Rufus track, "Ain't Nobody," gets a slight update by Frankie Knuckles.

Since their early formation by Edward Friedrich in 1968, Join In passed through many genres and personel changes; starting with blues and then hard rock, they eventually formed a jazz rock sound with some roots in krautrock that led to their only release in 1974. The band came from Marl, and besides the same city of origin and a record label, they also shared some of the musicians with the band Think that disbanded in 1974, namely, Frank Voigt, Rodrigo Ramor and Ricky Ramor. They where in close contact with Think while it was active and they regularly exchanged musical ideas. Main line-up that recorded Kentalope Island was made of Jörg Radeck and Wilfried Jens on guitars, Werner Bleck on bass, Udo Custodis on saxophone and Edward Friedrich on drums. Some time after releasing the album, the line-up had grown to nine members and in 1977 won Vest-Rock in Recklinghausen…