It's a Beat Wave
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It's a Beat Wave is the debut album by American electro group Warp 9. Released in 1983, the album's producers, Lotti Golden and Richard Scher, "worked real emotion and intelligence into the world of experimental hip-hop and electro." [1] Warp 9 was the moniker under which Golden and Scher created their brand of electro-futurism. The group's first single, "Nunk,"(1982), secured Warp 9's album deal with New York independent label Prism Records. The LP was released in 1983 in conjunction with the group's 3rd single, "Beat Wave." [2] Warp 9's large following in the New York metropolitan area came to the attention of Island Records chief Chris Blackwell who signed Warp 9 to a world wide deal on Island Records (Prism/Island Records in the U.S.). [3]
Warp 9 evolved from a studio concept into a band, as Golden and Scher added personnel to embody their vision of electro.[4] Drummer Chuck Wansley and percussionist Boe Brown were invited to perform the male vocals and rhymes on Nunk, along with vocalist Ada Dyer who performed the vocals and rhymes on the second single, "Light Years Away."[5] Golden & Scher created the group's sound using the Roland TR-808 drum machine as the basic rhythm track, building multiple layers of synth and keyboard textures.[6] Rob Fitzpatrick, describes "Light Years Away" as "a brilliantly spare and sparse piece of electro hip-hop, LYA traversed inner and outer space, matching rolling congas with vocoder voices and the hiss and sizzle of cutting edge synth and drum machine technology. LYA is a cornerstone of early 80's beatbox afrofuturism."
Richard Scher is credited with the arrangements, drum programming and keyboards, The group's members Chuck Wansley and Boe Brown, provide additional drums and percussion, joined by Steve Thornton from the Miles Davis Septet. Lead and backing vocals are by Warp 9's Ada Dyer, Chuck Wansley, and Boe Brown. Additional vocals were provided by Catherine Russell, Lotti Golden and Tina Fabrik. The album's mix was produced in collaboration with John "Jellybean" Benitez (who also co-produced "Nunk" and "Light Years Away") except for "No Man Is an Island" and "Master of the Mix" which were mixed and produced by Golden & Scher. The album's topics range from music production (the mixing itself) and alien visition to creation of ad-hoc music styles (one of them becoming the music genre, electro) and is unified in its electronic experimentation, hip hop language and afro-futurist message.
CD version
In 1992, the album was remastered and re-released on CD by Canadian company Unidisc, featuring remixes that were previously omitted from the original LP release.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Beat Wave" | Lotti Golden, Richard Scher | 5:40 |
| 2. | "Master Of The Mix" | Golden, Scher | 7:01 |
| 3. | "Nunk (New Wave Funk)" | Golden, Scher | 7:15 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Light Years Away" | Golden, Scher | 7:42 |
| 6. | "Light Years Away" (Dub) | Golden, Scher | 5:19 |
| 7. | "No Man Is An Island" | Golden, Scher | 6:14 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Master Of The Mix" (Tony Humphries Remix) | 6:53 |
| 10. | "Nunk (New Wave Funk)" (Instrumental) | 8:18 |
| 11. | "No Man Is An Island" (12" Remix) | 7:54 |
| 12. | "Mega Mix: Master Of The Mix/Light Years Away/Nunk (New Wave Funk)/No Man Is An Island" (Previously Unreleased) | 10:45 |
References
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Rob The Guardian, 14 May 2014 10.50 EDT [1]
- ^ [2] Discogs.com
- ^ Cashbox Magazine, East Coastings. August 1984. p12.
- ^ "Warp 9". Encyclopedia of Popular Music
- ^ Martin, Steven (April 4, 1988). "Movers & Shakers" The Island Ear, p. 32.
- ^ Toop, David (2000). Rap Attack 3: African Rap to Global Hip Hop. (Expanded Third Edition) Serpent's Tail, London N4 2BT pp.150-151 ISBN 1-85242-627-6.
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