Newcleus - Jam On It

Newcleus, "Jam On It (original 12" mix)" (YSI link)

Newcleus, "Jam On It (DJ T remix)" (YSI link)

Newcleus, "Jam On It (Claude VonStroke & Galen Disco Kryptonite remix)" (YSI link)

Yeah, we're back where we need to be, back in the heart of electro darkness. It's sad that I haven't put this one up before, as Newcleus' "Jam On It" is a classic slab of 80s electro goodness. Originally released in 1984, this is actually the follow-up to "Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)," just as classic, just as essential. Newcleus was born in Brooklyn, originally more of a DJ outfit in the late 70s, they would become a band in the early 80s and release 2 albums, have a little success and then fade away as so often happens. From the first plucked bass notes, you will immediately recognize this one. "Jam On It" sits on the electro/rap border, as each member puts on a rhyme over a great synth/drum machine track. There's not much to add this one, it still sounds fresh 2+decades later.

The Swedish label Deeplay Soultec dropped a cool vinyl featuring 4 remixes from some of the best in the house music world today. We have discussed Claude VonStroke as much as anyone here, always good to see his name on a remix, especially for a song so dear to me. However, I can't say that this is one of his better ones, it sounds like he just sort of upped everything, sped it up and made it busier without making it a better song. DJ T of Get Physical does a better job, although his sounds more like an edit than a remix. Both utilize the vocals, but only a little. They both make the original more dancefloor friendly, but for the dancefloor of my mind, the original is peak time shit. Believe dat!