I have decided to record digitally my entire StreetSounds Electro compilation series.
I will record every single StreetSounds vinyl of mine into Protools, with as much digital restorations as possible and widened stereo-field. I do believe that I make the best vinyl-rips than most music collectors and bloggers out there. My 30+ years experience in pro-audio says so!
As I’ve stated in my previous StreetSounds article over a year ago, Electro since the early 80′s was electric funk and hip-hop music, mainly for break-dancing, bee-bopping, and body-popping. In my opinion, the word electro today has been hijacked in the form of 4/4 dance music and not anywhere near its true roots.
THEREFORE, STAY TUNED FOR DAILY POSTING OF EACH ELECTRO MIX.
Streetsounds History…
Streetsounds was part of the UK Streetwave stable of labels created by Morgan Khan. A Hong Kong-born Indian who grew up in London, Khan had worked in the UK record industry since the mid 1970′s, working for such names as PRT Distribution (a division of Pye Records) and R&B Records, for whom at the time Imagination were the up and coming stars of the day.
Khan founded the independent Streetwave record label during 1981 to specialise in releasing Electro and Hi-NRG releases. Within a year of creation, Streetwave began the StreetSounds series of albums; compilations created from some of the hottest 12″ imports of the day. These releases made available a selection of the most contemporary dance floor hits within the financial reach of those wanting to hear the freshest sounds. In the early 80′s a 12″ single was priced around £2 and you would pay over £4 for an import 12″. The Streetsounds series offered usually 8 to 12 full-length 12″ mixes for under a fiver. Understandably, the Streetsounds series was met with considerable enthusiasm and, some might say, mighty relief.
This series would run for over 6 years and contain over 50 albums. By far the most coveted of the Streetsounds releases were the Electro series. These albums introduced the UK to the developing hip-hop scene from America – a stroke of genius that brought electro and early hip hop from the underground to the UK high street and, one could argue, helped in the creation of the UK’s hip hop scene.
The Electro series ran for a total of 27 albums (and one box set) from 1982 to 1988. The albums were initially labeled StreetSounds Electro with the title morphing into StreetSounds Hip Hop after release 12 in 1986.
All of the albums were competently mixed by a series of the best remixers of the day – predominately from the UK. A large proportion of the mixes on the early releases were completed by a London-based hip-hop sound system from the early 80s. Headed by “Herbie The Mastermind” (aka Herbie Laidley) the team also featured Kiss FM radio DJ’s Dave VJ and Max LX who were also members of UK electro outfit Hard Rock Soul Movement, responsible for the massive “Double Def Fresh” release.
My digital recording process & audio quality of vinyl records are top-notch …
click each image above to enlarge
I have decided to record digitally my entire StreetSounds Electro compilation series.
I lived in Dunoon Scotland when these were sold in the 80′s. I have the entire collection I took from LP to digital. I bought 2 of each back in the day so when I did it they were all unplayed. It was very hard deciding to take the shrink wrap off 15+ years later. There was also a guy on ebay 7 or 8 years ago that did the same and was selling the whole collection in mp3 for 8.95 if I remember correctly.
Mike
I am missing Electro-8 vinyl. Must’ve gotten lost in transit overt the years. Would you be able to make me an uncompressed/unprocessed WAV recording of it and then upload the WAV file to me server? It would be of great service and much obliged.
I see you use Amoeba’s Audio Hijack, do you record vinyl directly into it?
i have 1000+ records, and i need some schooling on mastering,
Thanks,
Louis.
Electro albums! So many memories from that era. I have most of the main Electros on vinyl, and various other 80s hip hop, which I’m just rediscovering.
Looking on in anticipation.
Amazing blog. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you’ve put into sharing these gems with us! Cheers, Chris