C/D: DJ S.P.U.D., "Set It Off"

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I heard this track playing incessantly on Viva (German-language MTV) when I was in Austria last fall, and was instantly entranced. I was a bit leery of the MTV connection, having a deep fear and loathing of the mainstream organs of pop-culture (which I'm trying to get over, really I am). Anyway, upon downloading the tune, it makes me no less giddy. Half the track makes do with a simple rat-a-tat woodblock rhythm, acidic chord stabs, and a self-harmonizing vocalist throatily singing, "Come on now set it off.../ set it off/ I suggest y'all/ set it off..." etc. Finally, a simple bass-and-handclaps rhythm kicks in. Formally, it's indistinguishable from years of minimal techno and acid, which is what seems so strange about the mainstream video play. Anyone else heard this? Has S.P.U.D. done anything else worthy of note?

― philip sherburne (philip sherburne), Monday, 21 July 2003 14:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I haven't heard this, but you should know that it's a remake of a classic, originally by Strafe, maybe circa 1981. It's really well-known here in the states, which would explain why they's be putting a remake on MTV. Also, it's a classic stadium jock-jam around here (NY).

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Monday, 21 July 2003 14:51 (twenty-two years ago)

"They's be." Sorry. They'd.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Monday, 21 July 2003 14:51 (twenty-two years ago)

I have the 12", I liked the Banks & Sullivan Mix on the B side even better. It did sound strangely familiar to me, and Strafe rings a (very faint) bell. This is S.P.U.D.'s (German) website.

― JoB (JoB), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 08:22 (twenty-two years ago)

No kidding? Strafe, will have to look it up. And a jock-jam? I'm glad I waited til morning to check this out, or I would've tossed and turned all night.

― philip sherburne (philip sherburne), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 10:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I know the Strafe track is on several comps; I've got it on one of the volumes of Tommy Boy's Perfect Beats series. (I don't think I've ever heard Walter Gibbons' extended mix.) There were several versions (including a couple answer records) floating around during the '80s -- by Masquerade, Harlequin Fours, etc. Beyond that, elements from the original have shown up all over the place. There's a Missy-produced track on the new Monica album -- called "Get It Off" -- that borrows pretty heavily.

― Andy K (Andy K), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 11:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha I forgot Organized Noize w/ Queen Latifah

― Andy K (Andy K), Tuesday, 22 July 2003 20:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I used to go to this weekly youth disco night held in a church around '85 dj'd by high school pal M0by, and he played this track pretty often. I've never forgotten it, and was pleased to finally get it on that Perfect Beats comp.

― Sean (Sean), Wednesday, 23 July 2003 07:52 (twenty-two years ago)

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