Appropriating appropriator's appropriations appropriated from an appropriation: A mix brought to you by Mr. Burt Lancaster

Date
May 30, 2016

Miracler
Stephen Bramfitt

Location
San Francisco

Where have I seen this guy before?
Oh yeah—when he left to walk the dog 5 minutes ago. But on the Prodge, it's been a long time: 3 silent years! (We don't play favorites here at 3MPM HQ.) 

Last we heard from the mixmaker once known as Sterling Bromide was They Call Me Naughty Lola back in May '13. Before that it was Oct. '12's Black Like Doug Patterson and April '12's I, Superfustinox and Nov. '11's An Envious Sliver Broke and Jan. '11's Kiwiana: Music From The Other Down Under and Jun. '08's Pop Incarnate. A lot can happen in 3 years. One's explorations can go broad—or deep. Which has SB brought us today? Let's look in.

Liner Notes by SB

An Apache Retrospective

Dear 3MPM people,

I didn’t intend to create a mix about one song, but the more I looked into the nearly sixty-year history of Apache, the more intriguing the idea became. There’s little doubt that you’ll recognize its melody no matter which version you play, but the track that started this entire excursion for me was recorded by The Incredible Bongo Band in 1973. Many artists and critics (including Will Hermes in his wonderful book Love Goes to Buildings on Fire) cite this track as the foundation for all of hip-hop (as well as a still-vibrant strain of drum and bass/techno).

And that 1973 version, with its addition of a drum break by Jim Gordon plus multiple other layers of percussion, became one of the most sampled tracks of the early rap and hip-hop era. The 2012 documentary Sample This (unfortunately narrated by ever-pubescent philistine Gene Simmons) covers the story beyond the seventies, but my mix goes back to the roots of the melody, back to the father of rock-‘n’-roll…Mr. Burt Lancaster.

Well, not really. Story has it that over in Jolly Olde England, an itinerant ad-man/comedian/RAF radar operator named Jerry Lordan saw Burt in the 1954 western and composed the instrumental that starts this whole ball rolling. This is Jerry:

NOTE: This is one of those rare cases where your mixologist does not recommend playing the entire mix in one sitting! Best to take this in moderation like an invigorating tonic, lest the familiarity of the tune begins to breed contempt. Above all, take a break before The Incredible Bongo Band because that’s where the sonic fuel really adds some octane.

Tracks:

1. Bert Weedon

The first. Perhaps the worst. That’s what Jerry Lordan thought. Nevertheless, Bert received an OBE in 2001 for his “services to music.”

2. The Shadows

Cliff Richard’s backing band originating from a couple of Newcastle-based skiffle bands. This was their first hit and the version that Jerry Lordan preferred. The band recorded as recently as 2015.

3. Jorgen Ingmann

This is where Apache bounces to the U.S. courtesy of a Danish guitarist. His twangy 1961 version hit #2 on the US Billboard charts and influenced the surf guitar sounds soon to proliferate like algae blooms on the West Coast.

4. Sonny James

Add some “sweet Apache maid” lyrics to spice it up and boom!, you’re on the country charts. Sonny, known as “The Southern Gentleman”, died in Nashville in February of this year.

5. The Ventures

Recorded in 1962 by the 100 million-album selling band, this track postdates their famous “Walk, Don’t Run” by a year and reveals the heavy debt they owe to Les Paul and Jorgen Ingmann.

6. The Mysteriums

Nowhere near as well-known as The Ventures, The Mysteriums carved out a surf guitar niche by covering The Shadows and other bands. Love the guitar on the break…

7. Jeff Richman and Wayne Johnson

A little jazz guitar to freshen the palate before we say hello to the bigger sounds. Very stylish, very atmospheric, very hot tub and a nice bottle of rosé…

8. Incredible Bongo Band

Never an actual band but more a super-session vanity project for Michael Viner using MGM facilities during studio down-time, The IBB version produced by Perry Botkin Jr. wasn’t really recognized until the late seventies when Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash started sampling the break. Amazing that this 1973 track languished for years without anyone recognizing how groundbreaking it was.

9. The Sugarhill Gang

Englewood, New Jersey holla back! Sugar Hill! Love that label! Little known fact: The only US hit by SHG was “Rapper’s Delight.” Some of their other tracks — including this one — were hits in Europe.

10. Know How — Young MC

Wimbledon’s own is now 49. After getting an Economics degree from USC, Marvin Young rose quickly with his “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina” tracks with Tone Lōc. Then came “Bust a Move.” This track relies heavily on the 1973 IBB version underneath some smooth rhymes. Last time you saw him? It was in “Up in the Air” in a convention concert scene with Clooney and Kendrick.

11. Break Dance – Electric Boogie — West Street Mob

It’s 1983 and more homage to the 20 year-old IBB version courtesy of the Sugar Hill label. The mob looked like this:

12. New Birth Brass Band

I believe you can hire these guys for your funeral. Or someone can. Probably a lot cheaper if you die in New Orleans though…

13. Thought @ Work — The Roots

Another tip of the cap to the 1973 version, with lyrics that bend my prohibition on violent/misogynistic lyrics, but don’t quite break them. And I hear these chaps are doing well on the telly.

14. A Bit Patchy — DJ Switch

If I am to be honest, this ranks as one of my favorite versions. Released in 2005 and hitting it big in Ibiza in 2006, this sultry sampling is a great counterpoint to Bert Weedon all those years ago.

Some other bands/performers if you want to explore Apache a little more:

Dave Allan and the Arrows

The Edgar Broughton Band

Sir Mix-a-Lot

Vanilla Ice (Ninja Rap)

Missy Elliot (We Run This)

Amy Winehouse (In My Bed)

Scooter

Normaal

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Grafitti (Symphony of the Nymph)

Wyclef Jean (Masquerade)

DAVID BOWIE (How Does the Grass Grow from The Next Day 2013)

And then there’s this.

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ALIX TYLER, YOU'RE NEXT!