Looking for the Perfect Beat: 1980–1985

Looking for the Perfect Beat: 1980-1985
Compilation album by
Afrika Bambaataa
ReleasedMarch 20, 2001
Length64:00
LabelTommy Boy
ProducerNinny, Kenny Donovan, Tom Silverman, Arthur Baker, John Robie, Afrika Bambaataa, The Fats Comet Crew, The Fats Comet Production
Afrika Bambaataa chronology
Electro Funk Breakdown
(2001) 		Looking for the Perfect Beat: 1980-1985
(2001) 		Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light
(2004)

Looking for the Perfect Beat: 1980–1985 is a compilation album by hip hop musician Afrika Bambaataa.

Release

Looking for the Perfect Beat: 1980–1985 was released on March 20, 2001 on compact disc and a limited two disc vinyl set.[1] The release was part of the label Tommy Boy Records' celebration of twenty years in the music industry.[2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Robert ChristgauA−[3]
NME[2]
Q[4]
Rolling Stone[5]

From contemporary reviews, John Duffy of AllMusic gave the album a five star out of five star rating, noting that Bambaataa's "considerable influence has largely been brushed aside by a rap world that sadly ignores far too many of its innovators" as well as "nicely augments the resume of producer Arthur Baker, a trailblazing dance remixer of the early '80s."[1] Duffy main complaint with the compilation was the lack of any significant liner notes or photographs.[1] The compilation included Bambaataa's "finest moments, including the classic "Planet Rock" alongside timeless siblings "Jazzy Sensation", "Looking For The Perfect Beat" and "Unity" with James Brown." and that the compilation "represents an integral part of hip-hop history and is an essential purchase for any serious fan of Black music."[2] Jon Caramanica of Rolling Stone gave a positive review as well, noting that the "collection ably captures [Bambaataa's] dance-floor magnetism " and specifically praised tracks "Zulu Nation Throwdown", "Looking for the Perfect Beat" and "Renegades of Funk".[5] Robert Christgau praised the collection stating it contained "at the irreducible least are two of the greatest records of the '80s" and noted that the tracks that range from competent to classic.[3]

Track listing

Track listing adapted from back of vinyl sleeve.[6]

No.TitleWriter(s)Credited PerformerLength
1."Zulu Nation Throwdown"Cosmic ForceAfrika Bambaataa Zulu Nation Cosmic Force7:05
2."Zulu Nation Throwdown"Soul Sonic ForceBambaataa Zulu Nation Soul Sonic Force6:07
3."Jazzy Sensation" (Bronx Version)Kenton NixAfrika Bambaataa & The Jazzy 59:43
4."Planet Rock"Arthur Baker, John Robie, Soul Sonic ForceAfrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force6:25
5."Looking for the Perfect Beat"Baker, Robie, Soul Sonic ForceAfrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force7:00
6."Renegades of Funk"Baker, Robie, Afrika Bambaataa Aasim, John MillerAfrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force6:44
7."Frantic Situation" (Vocal)Baker, Leroi Evans, Ray Serrano, W. Henderson, E. Williams, Aasim, Wilfred Folwer, Miller, R. AllenAfrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force with Shango4:59
8."Unity Part 1 [The Third Coming]"Aasim, James Brown, Bernard Alexander, Douglas Wimbish, Keith Le Blanc, Robin HalpinAfrika Bambaataa & The Godfather of Soul James Brown3:25
9."Who Do You Think You're Funkin' With?" (Hip Hop Mix)Bambaataa, M. Glover, Le Blanc, Wimbush, S. McDonald, Miller, Allen, WilliamsAfrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force featuring Melle Mel6:18
10."What Time is It?" (Live)Bambaataa, Glover, LeBlanc, Wimbush, McDonald, Miller, Allen, Williams, I. CoulterAfrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force featuring Melle Mel8:53
11."Funk You!"Bambaataa, LeBlanc, Wimbish, McDonaldAfrika Bambaataa & Family5:42

Personnel

Credits are from the Looking For the Perfect Beat sleeve.[6]

  • Ninny – producer (on tracks 1)
  • Kenny Donovan – arrangements (on track 1), producer (on track 2)
  • James Nichols – mixing (on track 1)
  • Tom Silverman – executive producer (on tracks 3 and 4), edits (on track 8), producer (on track 9), mixing (on track 11)
  • Arthur Baker – producer (on tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), mixing (on tracks 4, 5, 6 and 7), arrangements (on track 6, 7 and 8), executive producer (on track 8)
  • Shep Pettibone – mixing and arrangements (on tracks 3)
  • Jay Burnett – engineer (on tracks 3 and 4)
  • Bob Rosa – engineer (on tracks 4 and 9)
  • Planet Patrol – music (on tracks 4)
  • John Robie – producer and mixing (on tracks 5, 6, 7) and arrangements (on tracks 6, 7)
  • Harry Belafonte – executive producer (on track 8)
  • Afrika Bambaataa – producer (on tracks 9, 10)
  • The Fats Comet Crew (Keith LeBlanc, Doug Wimbish and Skip McDonald) – producer (on track 9, 10)
  • The Fats Comet Production (Keith LeBlanc, Doug Wimbish and Skip McDonald) – producer (on track 11)
  • Keith LeBlanc – engineer (on track 11)
  • Eric Calvi – engineer (on track 11)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Duffy.
  2. ^ a b c Bardowell 2005.
  3. ^ a b Christgau, Robert. "Afrika Bambaataa". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  4. ^ "Review". Q. June 2001. p. 126. 3 stars out of 5 - "...Afrika's PLANET ROCK - a shadowy trip into space built on stolen bits of Kraftwerk records - will always be a record of undying genius. Luckily, much of this collection sounds pretty much the same...""
  5. ^ a b Caramanica 2001.
  6. ^ a b Looking for the Perfect Beat: 1980-1985 (Media notes). Afrika Bambaataa. Tommy Boy Records. TB2457.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

Sources