The Wild Bunch - Story of a Sound System

Before Bristol gave us Massive Attack and Tricky, there was The Wild Bunch; a legendary sound system that launched the careers of some of British dance music's most innovative producers. Throughout the 1980s, the Wild Bunch reigned supreme on the West Country free-party circuit, making names of its DJs and MCs, the likes of Daddy G (Massive Attack), Tricky and Madonna producer Nellee Hooper. With such illustrious alumni, it makes sense that the Wild Bunch sound should be recorded for posterity, and who better to do it than original spinner DJ Milo? He does an admirable job, too, mixing up a spot-on selection of old-skool electro, hip-hop and disco, with the odd smidgen of house and a few snippets of original Wild Bunch gigs thrown in for effect. It's the sort of set you can imagine rocking a Bristol block party back in the day, though the obvious lack of reggae and soul seems strange given the Bristol sound's massive debt to both genres. That said, the track listing is impressive and the mixing immaculate, leaving us in no doubt: there ain't no party like a Wild Bunch party. --Matt Anniss



01 Wild Bunch - "hands in the air one time (live intro)"

02 Russell Brothers - party scene

03 Crash Crew - on the radio

04 Spoonie Gee - love rap

05 T La Rock - it's yours

06 Wild Bunch - "tearin' down the avenue (live)"

07 Knights of the Turntables - techno scratch

08 Newcleus - jam on revenge (the wikki wikki song)

09 Micronawts - smurph across the surf

10 Man Parrish - hip hop be bop (don't stop)

11 Younger Generation - we rap more mellow

12 Empress - dyin' to be dancin'

13 Fresh Band - come back lover

14 BBCs & A - rock shock

15 Odyssey - inside out

16 Evelyn "champagne" King - i'm in love

17 Teena Marie - behind the groove

18 Thelma Houston - you used to hold me so tight

19 Wild Bunch feat. Daddy G. - "double fresh (live)"

20 Visual - the music got me

21 Montana Sextet - who need enemies with friends like you

22 Chain Reaction - dance freak

23 Mr. Fingers - can you feel it

24 Wild Bunch feat. Daddy G. - "dub plate fashion (live)"

25 Wild Bunch - the look of love



enjoy,



mooter