Eh up, people!

An expanded edition from London Town on a style and period of music that’s very close to my body and soul.

When most people think of 80’s music with synths and drum machines, the usual electro-pop suspects come to mind: Kraftwerk, Moroder, Depeche Mode, Human League, Gary Numan, maybe Patrick Cowley.

What we should be talking about is how black musicians quietly – ok, maybe not so quietly – revolutionised popular culture through their adventures in R&B from the 70s into the 80s. They could be smooth and sophisticated, but the tracks made you move.

Glasgow-based journalist Steven Vass has achieved something significant with his book Let The Music Play, plotting a course through those decades and tracing the evolution of these sounds through the constellation of artists who invented them.

The level of research is encyclopaedic yet he’s managed to keep it breezy, capturing the thrill of hearing these records for the first time – minds being blown, often on a weekly basis – as underground club culture broke into the mainstream.

I caught up with Steve a couple of months after this launch in Brixton to talk about: how he got into writing; reasons and reservations in doing the book; being inspired by Coming To America; giving flowers to Kashif and Paul Lawrence, Patrice Rushen, Cameo, Kleeer, Gwen Guthrie, Jam & Lewis and many more.

He also offers theories on what drew listeners and dancers to these synthesised sounds, why black artists weren’t given more credit as pioneers and the differences between the UK and US markets.

Expect a Questlove Supreme level of discourse, along with a big bag of that boogie-street-soul type of thing. A bit of house too, of course. You’ll feel it all.

Questions, comments or abuse to @amarofpatel

* HERBIE HANCOCK – Quasar (featuring Patrick Gleeson) [Warner]

* STEVIE WONDER – Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) [Tamla Motown]

* THE SPECIALS – Ghost Town (Extended Version) [Two-Tone]

* TOMORROW’S WORLD THEME TUNE (1982)

* DESMOND DEKKER – Reggae Recipe [Music For Pleasure]

* IMAGINATION – Just An Illusion (original 12” mix) [Unidisc]

* PRINCE – Raspberry Beret (New Mix) [NPG]

* GWEN GUTHRIE – Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent (Larry Levan 12” Club Mix) [Polydor]

* JOYCE SIMS – Come Into My Life (Extended Version) [London]

* FATBACK BAND – Is This The Future? [Spring]

* PATRICE RUSHEN – Kickin’ Back [Prestige]

* PATRICE RUSHEN – Forget Me Nots (12” version) [Elektra]

* NONA HENDRYX – Transformation [RCA]

* MELBA MOORE – Love’s Comin’ At Ya [EMI]

* KASHIF – The Mood [Arista]

* HANSON & DAVIS – I’ll Take You On (Dub Version) [Fresh]

* KLEEER – She Said She Loves Me [Atlantic]

* CAMEO – Single Life (Extended Version) [Casablanca]

* JUNIOR – Is This Love [Mercury]

* PRINCESS – Say I’m Your Number One [TELDEC]

* SHANNON – Let The Music Play [Emergency]

* JANET JACKSON – Nasty (Cool Summer Mix Part 1) [A&M]

* STEVE ‘SILK’ HURLEY – Jack Your Body (1986 Home Made Mix) [Underground]

PS Catch me broadcasting live at Horniman Museum in SE London on 15 June. A rare appearance in public as part of the Sister Midnight x Daytimers takeover.

Come through.

There may be guests. There will be 🔥

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amarofpatel.substack.com