Recorded in 1982 and released in 1983, Duck Rock was one of the earlier releases in the multi-cultural 'world music' movement, preceding others by almost ten years.
After inventing the Sex Pistols, managing an early incarnation of Adam & the Ants, and assembling BOW WOW WOW, this album was Malcolm McLaren's very own.
Mixing up influences from "Africa, Central and South America and the USA," the album proved to be highly influential in bringing hip-hop music to a wider audience in the UK. "When rap music had made its first impact in the mainstream, the bigwigs weren't sure what to make of it, and only a small handful dared to touch it. But it was a different story in Europe, where many would embrace the poetic side of the lyrics."
Two of the singles from the album, "Buffalo Gals," and "Double Dutch," became major chart hits on both sides of the Atlantic.
"McLaren has said that the first time he discovered hip-hop for himself was when he saw Afrika Bambaataa walking down the street with a pink Sex Pistols T-shirt. He met Bambaataa and Bam asked McLaren if he was interested in hearing one of his sets. It could be said that Duck Rock is a musical interpretation of the diversity Bambaataa was known for, and what Bambaataa wanted to share through his records."
Guest musicians on the album include Trevor Horn, Anne Dudley, and J. J. Jeczalik. "Side recordings that these three artists did in-between Duck Rock takes would eventually become the first album for Art of Noise. Clips of the World Famous Supreme Team radio show appear between songs" as well.
Material: wikipedia.org & John Book via rapreviews.com
