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- Date Released: May 8, 2000
- Genre: Hip-Hop/R&B
- Label: Universal Sound (Soul Jazz Records) / PIAS Digital
Four sisters and a friend unwittingly craft a funky classic.
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We Say...
One of the 80s' most influential dance acts began as an unprepossessing group of sisters and their neighborhood homie who, in the fine Bronx tradition of Dion DiMucci, Willie Colón and Afrika Bambaataa, took up music to keep out of trouble. The four Scroggins girls — Maria, Renee, Valerie and Deborah — and their friend Tito Libran entered a local talent show in 1979 and lost. But 99 Records impresario Ed Bahlman (Bush Tetras, Liquid Liquid) was convinced he heard the future in their unfussy funk.
Soon they were recording a monumental debut with Martin Hannett (Joy Division, Buzzcocks, New Order, A Certain Ratio). Since its 1981 release, "Moody"'s influence has become immense — the hip-hop, post-punk, house and garage undergrounds all claimed it. At the same time Bronx party DJs were rocking it, the group was sharing stages with the likes of Public Image Limited. They played on opening night of Manchester's Hacienda and the closing night of New York's Paradise Garage. "UFO" — pitched down to 33rpm from the 45rpm 12-inch — remains one of hip-hop's most sampled records.
A South Bronx Story draws from ESG's early-'80s 99 Records work as well as their fine, forgotten 1991 self-titled album. Hearing minimalist grooves like "Chistelle" or "Dance" fight their limits then take flight, what impressed Bahlman and Hannett is clear. It's the exuberant D.I.Y. sound of early punk and hip-hop, even R&B, and the pullulating vibe that has moved millions since. -
They Say...
With their limited resources, the Scroggins sisters put the boogie down in the Boogie Down Bronx. Major kudos to Universal Sound for compiling ESG's best works for A South Bronx Story, a crucial document of sparse, old school funk. Until 2000, the group's scant material had been nearly impossible to find. The most legendary inclusion is the Martin Hannett-produced 7" EP that was originally released on Factory (later released as a 12" in the U.S. by 99 with live tracks backing it). This release featured their trademark "Moody," which ended up being listed as a Top 50 classic by nearly all of New York's dance clubs; it was also immortalized on a volume of Tommy Boy's excellent Perfect Beats series, lodged between Liquid Liquid and Strafe. Like the remainder of their recorded output, it featured the three "R"s: rhythm, rhythm, and more rhythm. Also on the debut EP was their most sampled "UFO"; the nauseous siren trills at the beginning found sped-up use in at least half a dozen rap tracks in the late '80s and early '90s. Big Daddy Kane and LL Cool J used it, and the Bomb Squad slyly swiped it for Public Enemy's "Night of the Living Baseheads." But arguably their best moment was "Dance" with its jumpy Motown rhythm, post-punk bass, and narrative/old school vocals. It sounds like a wild mix of the Supremes and Metal Box-era Public Image Limited. Deborah's bass, though not as musicianly, captures the spirit of PiL's Jah Wobble copping Motown session bassist James Jamerson. It's that sort of sprited, unconscious hybrid that made ESG so unique. After all, they played the opening night of Manchester's Factory club and the closing night of Larry Levan's Paradise Garage.
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| 01. |  |
You're No Good |
3:11 |
|
| 02. | |
Moody |
2:47 |
|
| 03. | |
UFO |
2:55 |
|
| 04. | |
It's Alright |
2:38 |
|
| 05. | |
Moody (Spaced Out) |
4:18 |
|
| 06. | |
Tiny Sticks (As Feat. In The Mini Advert) |
3:03 |
|
| 07. | |
My Love For You |
2:55 |
|
| 08. | |
Come Away |
3:14 |
|
| 09. | |
Dance |
4:32 |
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| 10. | |
Parking Lot Blues |
2:53 |
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| 11. | |
Chistelle |
1:54 |
|
| 12. | |
About You |
2:05 |
|
| 13. | |
Erase You |
4:08 |
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| 14. | |
Get Funky |
2:35 |
|
| 15. | |
Hold Me Right |
2:55 |
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| 16. | |
I Can't Tell You What To Do |
4:06 |
|
16 Total Tracks, 50:09 Total Length
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Credits
- ESG - Main Performer // Duncan Cowell - Remastering // Marie Scroggins - Conga // Marie Scroggins - Vocals // Renee Scroggins - Guitar // Renee Scroggins - Vocals // Renee Scroggins - Artwork // Renee Scroggins - Photography // Valerie Scroggins - Drums // Valerie Scroggins - Vocals // Pete Reilly - Remastering // Pete Reilly - DJ // Adrian Self - Layout Design // Pierce Smith - ? // Stuart Baker - Compilation // Stuart Baker - DJ // Deborah Scroggins - Bass
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