Beantown Boogie

With the 1980's in full comeback mode people seem to be feelin' the vocoder, synth bass and double claps again. What they may not remember is that back in the early 1980's Boston was a hotbed of synth-driven funk with groups like the Jonzun Crew, Dwayne Omarr and Starr's Computer Band pumping out heavy electro grooves. (That's not even mentioning Planet Patrol and Boston native Arthur Baker's collaboration with Afrika Bambaataa on the seminal b-boy anthem Planet Rock). In honor of all the Beantown funk originators, I give you the Beantown Boogie Mix - a collection of (mostly) 1980's Boston electrofunk, boogie and breaks that is sure to get the party movin'. All the labels are up at my flickr site if you want to see what's in there. Of course, if you want to do an 1980's mix, you are gonna get some cheeze in there. All I can tell you is that this is a funkalicious dish of historical Boston synth-funk that's loaded with plenty of the vocoder, synth bass and hand claps that made the 80's so special. The mix ends with a little something special from my man Mc Spice from WAY back in the day! Yes TOUCH fans, Spice was rockin the mic back in the Bean in 1986. Stay tuned for more Boston rap history...but for now, Let's Boogie!

I'll be dropping some of these tracks at the upcoming Project MUM party in Somerville, MA on August 23 along with a bunch of dirty disco, electroclash and whatever other space age funk I dig out of the crates. Get your shiny track suit out of the closet and come pop and lock your way back to the future with myself, DJ Flack, Yamin and Axel Foley. That's just outside Union Square under the McGrath O'Brien bridge in Somerville, MA.