Rap-O-Matic Ltd - Lies, Lies

Another vivid memory from my youth is John Peel playing this one evening. DJ Cheese allegedly did all the excellent wax flexing on here although he is uncredited on the label and it does sound like his style. Did I mention DJ Cheese came to my home town not long after he became the  '86 DMC world mixing champion? Think I probably did. He also revolutionised the way the people looked at the competition and made it a whole lot more interesting at the same time. His entry is still my fave of all time. I was sat open mouthed the whole time I was listening to it live on Radio 1. Probably. Shame they never started filming the event until the year after.

Download

Daniel Sofer - One Hundred Speakers

Mega tune from '84, always loved this one. This is my second copy as the first kept toing and froing between me and a couple of mates and after a while I never managed to get it back. Still, all good things and all that. Get your tracky on and relive the good old days.

Download

Cazal Boys - Snatchin' Cazals

Bagged myself a copy of this a few months back, the second copy I ever owned, the first being a freebie from a mate I did the radio show with way back when. I never knew the real title as it was on a tape with no inlay (as they always were) and he asked me if I'd heard it. 'Never heard of it' I said so he went and fetched the record, said I could keep it, spun it when I got home and was all like that cow in the nursery rhyme. Still managed to trade it, as you do but crossed it off my long list just before Christmas. Top tune.

Download

Rock Hill - Rock The Beat

This is one of those records that slips your mind - when you've heard it you may think, 'yeah, now I know why' - but I like it and I'm sure it was on the same tape as 'Rappin' Insane' (see below) and when you're young and have little or no money or resources, listening to the same tape over and over pretty much daily imprints certain tunes, particularly from this era into the old grey matter for life. I did forget about this one till quite late and only copped one a few years ago. but it won't be the only one and if I ever begin to suffer from some debilitating mind illness I'm sure a few rotations of these kinds of jams will be the trigger I need to bring me back into the here and now. I don't wish to make light of such illnesses but, you know, it could happen to any one of us. My short term memory is pretty useless but once you're hooked on these, you're hooked for life and it's nice to have a good memory brought back once in a while, don't you think?

Download

Freddy B & The Mighty Mic Masters - Freddy's Back / The Main Event...Word

I treated myself to one of these just recently and at £1.50 it was a steal. 'The Main Event' is the one though and a throwback to the John Peel days too. Top tunage.

Download