Monday's Wake Up Call

This mix is dedicated to DrDJ18 for all the favourites, likes and comments on many of my mixes.

It was mid-summer 1976. the UK was experiencing one of it's rare heat-wave's

In the back streets of North West London, eight young musicians, barely out of school, were busy rehearsing in the steamy front room of a friend. It was hot but it was going to get hotter



Hi-Tension had been learning their trade and making a name for themselves by playing the London club circuit. Clubs like Upstairs at Ronnie Scott's, The 100 Club and the Q Club in West London.

One night unknown to them, sitting in the audience of the Q Club was Johnnie Jackson, the cousin and drummer of the 'Jackson 5'. Johnnie was so impressed that he invited Hi Tension to meet the Jackson and listen in on their sound check at the Hammersmith Odeon London. Before Johnnie left for the US, he assured the guys that they would secure a recording contract within a year. He was right.



Months later, a friend of the band, Kofi Ayivor of Osibisa fame managed to get a tape to the Head of Island Records, Chris Blackwell. He was very impressed, particularly when he realised how young the guys in the band were. In 1977, Hi Tension secured their first recording deal. Some dreams do come true.

In a matter of months, with a little help from some specialist DJs, Robbie Vincent, Greg Edwards to name a few. Hi Tension hit the airwave's, and then Top Of The Pops, proving that the British could produce monster grooves of their own.

The "Hi Tension" single hit number 12 in the National Charts, just from the sales of the 7" single, the 12" long version which sold 5x more copy's was not counted. Then the second single "British Hustle" smashed into the top 10. The boys became recognised as the pioneers of British dance music, opening doors for other bands like Light Of the World, Central Line, and Lynx, to name a few.

Young up and coming musicians such as Courtney Pine learned their trade and cut their teeth touring with the band. It was a time of excitement and experimentation. A new era. No turning Back. No compromise.

Hi Tension kicked open the doors to the UK dance, and made the industry jump and the dance floors shake! The Groove lives on "Bless The Funk"

http://hitension.com/

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