2009 witnessed a brilliant string of releases from Strut Records and 2010 looks like continuing where last year left off as February 2nd sees another stand out release as legendary knob twiddler Bob Blank gets the Strut treatment.
For those who may be a little unfamiliar with Bob’s outstanding body of work, here is a quick history lesson:
Coming to the New York music scene in 1973 as a studio session guitarist, Bob Blank soon found his calling working in the recording studio as an engineer and producer. In 1975 Bob produced one of the first 12″ disco records – the popular “To Be With You” by Jimmy Sabater. ??Opening the famed Blank Tape Studios in New York in 1976, Bob engineered and mixed hits by such diverse artists as Chic, Sun Ra, Tito Puente and Sting. Bob was the engineer on over 500 charted records (including 19 gold and platinum titles) and has been intimately involved with the East Coast music scene for over 30 years. Producing hit records (with Lola Blank) such as “Over Like A Fat Rat” by Fonda Rae put Blank Productions in the center of the music revolution begun in New York in the mid 70′s.??One of the founders of the Hip Hop Scene via his remix work in the late 70s and early 80s with DJs such as Larry Levan, Nicky Siano, Tony Humphries, and others, Bob Blank’s music has been credited by many of the top artists of today as being seminal in the creation of THEIR music. Over 50 artists have sampled Bob’s work in hit records of today. He has been interviewed and featured on 60 Minutes, and has been a commentator on Behind The Music, and has appeared in TV specials such as Madonna Sex Bomb and documentaries such as Maestro.?? Bob has also received mention in The Rolling Stone Book Of Rock and Roll as the producer of some of the most important Punk and No Wave artists, such as Lydia Lunch, Aural Exciters, and others, including Lola’s “Bango” (with Dinasaur L).
Seriously impressive you’ll no doubt agree!
‘The Blank Generation’ compilation if the first ever album retrospective of one of New York�s most revered of all producers, tracing the history of his independent studio, Blank Tapes, one of the city�s most important creative dens during the vibrant arts scene of the mid-�70s to mid-�80s.
These days, Blank has forged a very different career, recording sound-alike tracks for library music and karaoke. He has also developed a successful career in ballroom dancing, landing national senior titles with partner Martha Estevez in 2006 and 2007.
As with every Strut release there is the fantastic linear notes which make for fascinating, educative and highly informative reading. ‘The Blank tapes’ sees the label�s first collaboration with Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton�s of DJ History fame who celebrate Blank�s time at Blank Tapes with an exclusive compilation, covering the many facets of his work. Featuring the very first track ever recorded at the studio, Milton Hamilton�s �Crystalized�, anthems including Fonda Rae�s �Over Like A Fat Rat� and lesser known Blank classics from the vaults from Debby Blackwell and Mikki.
The package also includes an extensive interview with Bob Blank about his career in music, by Bill Brewster, alongside rare archive photos from Blank�s personal archive.
Check out this video interview with Bob, taken from YouTube:
Being lucky enough to have advanced copies of this album we have enjoyed absorbing and playing out all the tracks featured, to great response (The Charanga 76 and Necessaries tracks both new to us and equally awesome!). We can honestly say this is one release you should put in your wants list. There is also going to be a vinyl release on this one so bonus all round!
Here is the tracklist:
- 1. DEBBY BLACKWELL � ONCE YOU GOT ME GOING
- 2. CHARANGA 76 � MUSIC TRANCE
- 3. MILTON HAMILTON – CRYSTALIZED
- 4. SUN RA � WHERE PATHWAYS MEET
- 5. THE NECESSARIES � STATE OF ART
- 6. LYDIA LUNCH � A CRUISE TO THE MOON
- 7. JAMES BLOOD ULMER � JAZZ IS THE TEACHER, FUNK IS THE PREACHER
- 8. BUMBLEBEE UNLIMITED � I GOT A BIG BEE
- 9. MIKKI � ITCHING FOR LOVE (M+M MIX)
- 10. FONDA RAE � OVER LIKE A FAT RAT
- 11. GLADYS KNIGHT � IT�S A BETTER THAN GOOD TIME (Walter Gibbons Mix)
- 12. LOLA � WAX THE VAN (JONS DUB)
- 13. AURAL EXCITERS � EMILE (NIGHT RATE)
Highly recommended.
