GRANDMASTER FLASH & THE FURIOUS FIVE Vinilo y CD

Review: Has there ever been a more influential rap record than Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's 'The Message'? Widely considered the first 'conscious' hip-hop record thanks to lyrics that provide a searing commentary on inner-city life during the Reagan era (previously, most rap tracks had been unabashed party jams), the track's far-sighted musical backing and killer synth bassline (later the inspiration for the similarly memorable B-line in Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls') was also highly influential and remains seriously futurist in tone. If you don't own a copy already, we'd recommend snapping up this reissue, which also boasts (on the B-side) the lesser-celebrated, vocal-free instrumental mix.

Review: As part of the ongoing celebrations of hip-hop's 50th birthday this year, many of its greatest records are back in print. This one is one of the most universally well-known, a formative record that set an early blueprint. Originally landing in 1982, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's The Message will always be best known for its title tune, which was one of the earliest tracks to have a potent social commentary as it depicts the stress of living day-to-day with inner-city poverty. The album as a whole is a great capsule of those exciting early times.