Klute Top Ten

Reckless Records has played a BIG role in my addiction of acquiring music for decades now, weather it was Soho, or Islington, Chicago, even San Francisco where i remember visiting when i stayed at the Maximum Rock N Roll headquarters around the corner from Haight Street and finding an original copy of the Stimulators – Loud Fast Rules 7” for $2. My host Tim Yohannon absolutely freaked out as it was a major hole in his ginormous green tape bound record collection (I traded him for a mint copy of the Minor Threat 7”) – which made me momentarily think about writing a top ten bargains ive found at Reckless over the years – but i’d hate to gloat…….

Instead i will list my top ten favourite purchases ive bought from the various Reckless locations of the years – in no particular order and from a very hazy memory:

1. The Outsiders – Close Up – Raw Edge Records

Im a big Adrian Borland fan, the first two The Sound albums are amongst my favs from that era so I was excited to learn about the Outsiders, previously assuming they were a 60’s garage band. I prefer the sleeve to their debut album Calling On Youth but musically this one is better and shows their direction coming from their punk roots.

2. Phantasm – Original Soundtrack – Gem Records

Soundtracks have always been a big influence on the sound of Klute. Fortunately I was lucky to catch the horror soundtrack bug in the late 80’s when you could pick up video nasty soundtracks for peanuts. This is one of my all time favs as its actually really good and really captures the essence of the movie – which is an all time classic. Unfortunately my missus wont let me play whenever shes about.

3. The Scientist – The Best dub Album In The World – JB Music

In the early 80’s I was subjected to dub & reggae in a big way simply going to parties in London with my big sisters, and after a few years of hesitation I started to listen closer and eventually started buying it in abundance.

This isnt the greatest dub album in the world but for me its certainly one of The Scientist’s best. Its definitely my favourite sleeve.

4. Various – Techno Classics Volume 1 – Rising High

This was a CD purchase from the store in San Francisco and i mention it because this was a major gateway record for me. Living in the US at the time i was mostly hearing Euro techno trance and these guys brought something much dirtier from London.

This is a desert Island disc for me and The Hypnotist – House Is Mine and Project One – Smokin are amongst my all time life changing tunes.

5. D.O.A. – Hardcore 81 – Sudden Death

More than anything I wanted the Stupids to sound just like DOA until i realised no one else sounds like DOA, the greatest band to ever come from Canada. Hardcore 81 was a call to arms and underlined the name and time of what we were all following.

Both their first 2 albums are equally essential but this ones got “I Dont Give A Shit” on it so it just pips it to the post.

6. Various – This Is Boston Not L.A. – Modern Method

One of the greatest Hardcore Comps of all time, coming out of Boston, one of the most intense scenes in the US in the early 80’s. Absolutely blistering tunes from Gang Green before they went to total shit, Jerry’s Kids, The Freeze, The Proletariat, The F.U’s. all amazing stuff smacking you right between the eyes. Nothing could compare in the UK at the time. A great account of some of the best music out of the Boston area, sadly missing tunes from SS Decontrol, D.Y.S and more obscure bands from the suburbs like Deep Wound & Impact Unit.

7. Noise Factory – Urban Music – Limited E

This is the tune that famously sampled Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight which i first heard in a record shop in 92 and stupidly didnt buy because it took me ages to find it due to the chaotic nature of Limited E – random cat numbers and using the same coloured labels for different releases – which sums it all up for me really – the way it should be, anonymous and faceless mysterious jungle transmissions from the dirty city. Completely random as if they sampled anything they could lay their hands on. A big influence on Klute

8. Suburban Knight – Art Of Stalking – Transmat

Possibly the greatest track ever made by one of the greatest producers from Detroit. James Pennington is a massive influence on me, both musically and his attitude. If you dont own this then you should feel ashamed of yourself.

9. Skanna – Find Me – Skanna

An absolute gem of a tune, totally timeless, underrated at the time and I still feel is largely ignored. Definitely one of the best examples of atmospheric D&B from the mid 90’s. Intricate funky breaks, lush pads and beautiful melancholic female vocals. Find it.

10. Siege – Drop Dead – Deep Six

A relative late comer for USHC, originally released as a cassette only in 1984. In 1985 the Stupids were getting into full swing and we were tape trading throughout the world and this is when we first heard Siege, through badly dubbed copies of this insane and blistering set. Thing was, they had already split up and there was no way this was ever going to get a proper release…..There have been some bootlegs and poor cd issues over the years but it wasnt until Deep Six issued this properly on 12” that it felt that justice had been served to one of the greatest hardcore recordings of all time.