Don't Stop: Recording Tap

by DON'T STOP: RECORDING TAP / VAR

Overview

Uncovered from a stack of moldy boxes in a weathered garage, 47 mangled master tapes of disco jams and early rap cuts finally get their chance to see the light of day on Don't Stop: Recording Tap. Jeremiah Yisrael's short-lived Tap label only issued a few 12"s between 1981-1983, none of which would receive any airplay or acclaim, but in that time he managed to capture a stunning document of the underground boogie sounds of nighttime in New York City on his reel to reel. His paranoia with recording contracts squashed the potential of bigger deals for his artists, including one for Missy Dee with Sugar Hill Records, and his acute perfectionism led to endless takes on the cutting room floor, but this same compulsiveness led to some amazing Jordache-bumping dance numbers, meticulously composed and performed repeatedly until the funk had the perfect flavor to satisfy his picky palate. Recruiting R&B veteran Gene Redd, Jr. (who had orchestrated hits for Motown, Chess, and Mercury, among others) to arrange the songs, and then cherry-picking the streets for blossoming talent, he entered his studios with no-namers Jackie Stoudemire, Arnie Love & the Lovettes, Annette Denvil, Magnetism, and Bonnie Freeman along with rappers Fabulous 3 MCs, and Missy Dee & the Melody Crew. Jumping from straight up disco anthems, reggae-infused sunshine soul, to block party raps, leaves the listening experience uneven, as do some of the poorly executed mixes, but the heart and soul of these sessions make this a highly enjoyable listen in the vein of the In Yo Face, Disco Juice, and Sugar Hill Records Story sets. As well as being a great candidate for a dance party disc, the artwork is stunning, including pictures of the masters in their original shabby shape, old photos of the artists, stained sheet music, and a detailed retrospective of how the tapes came to fruition. ~ Jason Lymangrover

Product Details

Release Date:	03/04/2008
Label:	NUMERO
UPC:	0825764101929

Tracks

1. Breakout  -  Love
2. Invisible Wind  - Jackie Stoudemire
3. Missy Missy Dee  -  Dee
4. We've Had Enough  -  Love
5. Guilty  - Jackie Stoudemire
6. So Nice  -  Denvil
7. Rub a Dub Dub  -  Fabulous Three MCs
8. Don't Stop Dancin'  - Jackie Stoudemire
9. Stop and Make Up Your Mind  -  Love
10. Run Away Hide from Love  - Jackie Stoudemire
11. Breakout  -  Magnetism
12. Invisible Wind  -  Love
13. Doe He Really Mean It  -  Freeman
14. Love Which Way  -  Freeman

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bonnie Freeman   Primary Artist
Fabulous 3 MCs   Primary Artist
Jackie Stoudemire   Primary Artist
Missy Dee & The Melody Crew   Primary Artist
Arnie Love & The Lovettes   Primary Artist
Magnetism   Primary Artist
Annette Denvil   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Tom Lunt   Reissue Producer
Rob Sevier   Reissue Producer,Research,Liner Notes
Jeff Lipton   Mastering
Lou Hemsey   Arranger
Michael Slaboch   Reissue Producer
Ken Shipley   Research,Liner Notes,Reissue Producer