If your kid loves Thomas the Tank Engine, you definitely have to get him the Thomas DVD's.You have a wide variety of stories that you can choose from over the internet in this format.Some of these DVD's have stories that weren't seen on TV or in the books before, for example..Thomas and the Runaway Kite DVD - In this DVD you will see Thomas and his friends Toby and Charley trying to catch a kite before the wind will blow it of the Sodor Island.In this DVD Thomas will learn what friendship is all about and that he couldn't catch the kite if it wasn't for his friends.You can find this DVD on the internet.Holliday Express DVD with Holiday Train - This latest release brings you together with Thomas and his friends on your holidays.In this DVD also appear some of Thomas's friends, Emily, Percy and Henry.You can enjoy new adventures of Thomas in this Holliday release.You will find the DVD on the internet.Railway Friends DVD - It's full steam ahead for plenty of fun and adventures together with Thomas and his Friends on this DVD.Join Thomas as he and he's friends race down on the Sodor Island tracks to fix the bridges, plan some parties and find what friendship is all about.You can find this DVD on the internet.The Great Discovery DVD - In this DVD the guest of honor is Pierce Brosnan as the narrator.Join Thomas and his friends as they prepare for the Sodor Island Day.While everyone is busy preparing for the big day, Thomas gets lost in the mountains and discovers the lost town of Great Waterton.Everything will be ready for the big day and Thomas will get a new friend from the lost town, named Stanley.You can buy this DVD from the internet.Trackside Tunes DVD - This DVD will give you the chance to sing along with Thomas and his friends Percy and James as they travel around the Island of Sodor.You will join him on six musical adventures for about 34 minutes.You can purchase the DVD from the internet.Mud Glorious Mud DVD - It's a stormy weather outside, but nothing will stop Thomas and his friends from doing a great job.Hold on because there will be avalanches and mud baths the whole movie.Bring your friends and watch together these new adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine.The DVD can be found on the internet.These DVD's are just a few of those that you can find, and here are presented some of the greatest ones out there.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Best Thomas the Train DVDs
If your kid loves Thomas the Tank Engine, you definitely have to get him the Thomas DVD's.You have a wide variety of stories that you can choose from over the internet in this format.Some of these DVD's have stories that weren't seen on TV or in the books before, for example..Thomas and the Runaway Kite DVD - In this DVD you will see Thomas and his friends Toby and Charley trying to catch a kite before the wind will blow it of the Sodor Island.In this DVD Thomas will learn what friendship is all about and that he couldn't catch the kite if it wasn't for his friends.You can find this DVD on the internet.Holliday Express DVD with Holiday Train - This latest release brings you together with Thomas and his friends on your holidays.In this DVD also appear some of Thomas's friends, Emily, Percy and Henry.You can enjoy new adventures of Thomas in this Holliday release.You will find the DVD on the internet.Railway Friends DVD - It's full steam ahead for plenty of fun and adventures together with Thomas and his Friends on this DVD.Join Thomas as he and he's friends race down on the Sodor Island tracks to fix the bridges, plan some parties and find what friendship is all about.You can find this DVD on the internet.The Great Discovery DVD - In this DVD the guest of honor is Pierce Brosnan as the narrator.Join Thomas and his friends as they prepare for the Sodor Island Day.While everyone is busy preparing for the big day, Thomas gets lost in the mountains and discovers the lost town of Great Waterton.Everything will be ready for the big day and Thomas will get a new friend from the lost town, named Stanley.You can buy this DVD from the internet.Trackside Tunes DVD - This DVD will give you the chance to sing along with Thomas and his friends Percy and James as they travel around the Island of Sodor.You will join him on six musical adventures for about 34 minutes.You can purchase the DVD from the internet.Mud Glorious Mud DVD - It's a stormy weather outside, but nothing will stop Thomas and his friends from doing a great job.Hold on because there will be avalanches and mud baths the whole movie.Bring your friends and watch together these new adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine.The DVD can be found on the internet.These DVD's are just a few of those that you can find, and here are presented some of the greatest ones out there.
Percy The Train Discount Conductor Carl 80 Piece Train Table And Playboard Set. 100% Compatible With Thomas The Train And Brio. Plus FREE Conductor Carl Train.
Percy The Train See Conductor Carl 80 Piece Train Table and Playboard Set. 100% Compatible with Thomas the Train and Brio. Plus FREE Conductor Carl Train. Details
List Price : Price : $89.99
as of 2012-09-02 11:40 PM
Product Description
Hey Kids! My name is Conductor Carl and I am the conductor of this train. I love to travel and explore the world around me. I play and learn new things each and every day. Come along and join me on my next exciting adventure! All Aboard...
This is the Conductor Carl 80 piece piece train set with table. Wooden train sets are great for any curious child. Children can build train sets from scratch and then role play with the various characters. Children have to use problem solving skills to build their set and will act out real world situations with the pieces. It's fun and enjoyable for kids and parents alike.
This Conductor Carl Train Set includes 43 pieces of track, 9 vehicles, 10 people/signs, 18 trees and houses, and of course the Conductor Carl table.
Conductor Carl train sets use single piece construction train track. Many of our competitors use pegs for all of their track as the connecting piece. We use it on only a few select custom pieces. But our standard track pieces are all single pieces. Single piece construction track also results in a snug fit which ensures trains do not hop off the track.
Conductor Carl train sets are compatible with other popular wooden railway systems. Conductor Carl is compatible with Thomas the tank engine sets as well as Brio train sets. Feel free to mix and match between the two sets to arrive at grand scale train cities.
Conductor Carl train sets have passed CPSIA compliance testing. We ensure that all of our train sets meet government standards for lead and phthalates to ensure a safe playing environment. Copies of our test results are available upon request.
- 80 piece train set includes stand alone table and themed play board.
- Train sets encourage role playing and problem solving. Young brains at work!
- Wooden track with single piece construction. No dangerous loose pegs!
- 100% CPSIA compliant. Certified lead and phthaltes free. Safe.
- Compatible with all Thomas Wooden Railway items. High quality track and cars. Plus FREE Conductor Carl Train!
Conductor Carl 80 Piece Train Table and Playboard Set. 100% Compatible with Thomas the Train and Brio. Plus FREE Conductor Carl Train. Reviews
Percy The Train : Conductor Carl 80 Piece Train Table and Playboard Set. 100% Compatible with Thomas the Train and Brio. Plus FREE Conductor Carl Train. Reviews
| 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful  What a steal!, = Durability: = Fun: = Educational: Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: Conductor Carl 80 Piece Train Table and Playboard Set. 100% Compatible with Thomas the Train and Brio. Plus FREE Conductor Carl Train. We had been researching wooden train sets, ie., Thomas, Brio, Imaginarium and almost bought the Imaginarium set when we spotted this one on Amazon. We are so glad we went ahead and bought it. The price is a steal for the quality of this product. Our son is two and will be getting this for Christmas so he hasn't played with it yet but we had fun putting it together! Can't wait to see his face when he opens it on Christmas morning.We also plan to intergrate some of the Thomas trains and accessories as he is a big Thomas fan. We think he'll really like the Conductor Carl engine just as much. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful Perfect for train loving kids!, By = Durability: = Fun: = Educational: Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: Conductor Carl 80 Piece Train Table and Playboard Set. 100% Compatible with Thomas the Train and Brio. Plus FREE Conductor Carl Train. We purchased this table for our 5 year old son who's main obsession are trains. He absolutely loved the table....He already has 3 train sets of his own but he doesnt mind more wooden tracks. My only gripe w/this product is the table is kind of low and the actual set up of the tracks included does not fit the way it should.  Arrived damaged. Very strong chemical smell., By Ricecat (Los Angeles, CA, United States) - See all my reviews = Durability: = Fun: = Educational: Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: Conductor Carl 80 Piece Train Table and Playboard Set. 100% Compatible with Thomas the Train and Brio. Plus FREE Conductor Carl Train. I really want to like this train table, but I guess I learned a lesson. You get what you paid for. The table arrived damaged in the box. Two sides of the table were broken, and I can see the inside. It's made of some brownish paper stuff. Quite fragile. But worse than that, when we opened the box, our whole living room was filled with very strong chemical smell. It's so horrible that we immediately took the whole thing outside. I regret buying it, totally. |
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Thomas the Train Engines
Just about every child in the world has heard about Thomas the Train Engine and his friends.It all started in the 40s with a book published by Rev.W.Awdry.Since then, the popularity of the tank engines has been on an incline.According to the "Thomas and Friends" TV show, there are eight central Trains in the Thomas universe, not including the controller.There are other engines as well but not as important as the key 8.Thomas the Tank Engine is the Main character.He's normally has a friend role unless he is crossed then he becomes spiteful but always manages to fix his errors and or do the right thing in the end.He is a blue steam engine with red strips, with the number one painted on him.He has his own branch, where he rests his two coaches, Annie and Clarabel.Edward the Blue Engine Might be remembered for appearing in the very 1st Thomas series.Edward is a big engine with a huge heart and contains the number 2 on his body.Henry the Green Engine is, along Edward and Gordon, one of the big engines which appeared first in the Thomas book series.He gets ill very easily and this is the reason why other engines see him as being lazy.He pulls trucks and coaches and when Gordon is absent, he also hauls the Express.Gordon the Big Engine is a blue steam engine with the number four engraved on his tender.He considers himself the most important engine since he is the biggest.He takes his job seriously, he pulls the Express and heavy trains, but states that he prefers passenger trains.James the Red Engine is a mixed-traffic steam engine, being able to lug both coaches and trucks.He is the fifth engine in The Fat Controller's railway station.Percy the Small Engine is the sixth engine in the Fat Controller's railway.He is the smallest, youngest and rudest of his fellow Peers.He was brought on the island when the big engines were on strike.Toby the Tram Engine is the lone Train with cowcatchers to remove Obstacles.He is the seventh engine in the railway station.He is Christopher Awdry's favourite character.Emily is the main female engine to star in the TV series, Although train fanatics know the 1st train mentioned in the book was Daisy, the diesel engine.However, she is one of the main eight characters of the series.Emily is a dark green engine with driving wheels and doesn't appear in the book series.Why? I'm not sure.The Fat Controller is the head of the railway station on Sodor Island.He first appears in the first book of the series, and his real name (Sir Topham Hatt) is first mentioned in the sixth book, "Henry the Green Engine".Other characters have a supportive role.
Choosing a Hornby Train Set
Hornby Train Sets make great gifts that you can give to yourself or to someone else.They are perfect for all ages and come in a variety of styles from all eras.Hornby also produce many accessories to go with these sets.Possibly one of the best features of Hornby Train Sets is that there is a set to fit any budget.Even a low-cost, basic set can easily grow into a huge model railway with scenery, buildings, and complex track layouts.If you're thinking about buying a train set then here's some information about some of the different ones available.Hornby Train Sets For Beginners.Hornby make great train sets for beginners, these sets are typically inexpensive and very durable.Furthermore they can be easily made into much larger train sets simply by adding Hornby Track Packs and other accessories.Beginner's sets include "Local Freight", this set has everything you need to get started.It includes the locomotive, controller, and an oval track, which can easily be expanded in the future.Another great set for beginners is the "The Blue Highlander".This set is very similar to "Local Freight" but includes a siding that makes the set a little more interesting as the wagons can be shunted back and forth.Regardless of which of these two sets you decide to go with, children will love playing with them, and they'll especially enjoy putting small items in the wagons.Hornby Train Sets For Younger Children.For younger children Hornby offers trains sets that feature characters from the popular "Thomas & Friends" books and television series.Thomas, Percy, Gordon, James and all the other popular characters feature in these sets.One the most sought after Thomas & Friends sets is the "Thomas Electric Train Set" which includes Thomas and his coaches Annie & Clarabel, an oval of track and everything else you need to get started.Hornby also makes many Thomas & Friends themed accessories too.These include locomotives, wagons, buildings, and much more.Also, all the Thomas Sets are compatible with other Hornby Train Sets and accessories, so the set can grow with the child.Hornby Train Sets for Older Children & Adults.Choosing a Hornby Train Set as an older child or adult is a lot of fun because there are so many different sets too choose from.Typically these sets come with more accessories, more track, and much greater detail.Of course extra care has to be taken with these sets and they are more expensive than the sets for younger children.However, the extra cost is well worth it because you get an amazing train set."Flying Scotsman" is one great train set that Hornby offers, and is one of their most sought after sets.It's based on and features one of the worlds most famous steam locomotives, the LNER "Flying Scotsman".If you prefer a more modern train set than perhaps the "Virgin Trains Pendolino" set is right for you.This digital train set features Virgin's state-of-the art Pendolino high speed train and coaches.Hornby Digital Train Sets.When choosing a Hornby Train Set one of the major decisions you'll have to make is whether to go with a digital set or a non-digital set.The digital sets are more expensive but they provide the user with greater benefits such as more control and the ability to operate two independent digital locomotives on the same track.Since the digital sets do cost more money and are slightly more complex, they are best suited for older children and adults.Hornby Train Sets. The Right Choice.Choosing a Hornby Train Set is always a good time regardless if it's for you or for someone else.That's because there are so many great sets to choose from and no matter what age person the train set if for, Hornby has a perfect set for them.In addition, as the child grows, or as the adult's hobby expands, the Train Set can grow and expand too.
Percy The Train Buying RoomMates YH1415M Thomas The Train Prepasted Mural, 9 By 15-Foot
Percy The Train See RoomMates YH1415M Thomas the Train Prepasted Mural, 9 by 15-Foot Details
List Price : $249.00 Price : $184.99
as of 2012-09-02 11:38 AM
Product Description
All Aboard with this gigantic Thomas the Tank Engine and his Friends XL Wall Mural. This is the ultimate room decor for any Thomas enthusiast and it will become the focal point of your room, guaranteed! You will feel like you are living inside Thomas' world. Like all RoomMates murals, this XL mural is printed on our revolutionary prepasted Surestrip™ material. Just dip each strip in lukewarm water, bring to the wall and repeat with the next strip. And this product removes in full strips and in minutes. Simply pick a corner and pull. ¶
To view all coordinating wall art please click here.¶¶
Please note this product can only be shipped to the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- 10 prepasted panels - measures 9' tall by 15' wide
- Water-activated - easy to hang
- Features officially licensed art
- Removes in full strips with no damage to walls
- Made in the USA
RoomMates YH1415M Thomas the Train Prepasted Mural, 9 by 15-Foot Reviews
Percy The Train : RoomMates YH1415M Thomas the Train Prepasted Mural, 9 by 15-Foot Reviews
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› Be the first to review this item on Amazon.com Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Teach Positive Character Traits
Since their introduction, Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends have chugged their way into the hearts of young fans and their parents worldwide.While learning railroading terms and laughing at the antics of mischievous freight cars, kids learn many positive character traits.Every engine in the yard aims to be "a really useful engine".It is some of the highest praise they can earn, and it teaches children to value hard work and pulling their fair share in a job.When they rejoice with Thomas and friends when they finally earn this praise from Sir Topham Hatt, children get excited and want to try for themselves.They look for their own ways to be "really useful engines." Wise parents nurture this tendency by giving them child-size tasks that really make a difference about the house and telling them so when they've completed the job.Obeying common sense and listening to others' advice is another trait highlighted in Thomas the Tank Engine stories.Small children reenact these stories with Thomas and friends, repeating to themselves, "Silly Thomas, he should have listened," and very painlessly internalize a lesson every parent wants their children to take to heart. Listen to good advice! It will save you a lot of pain and trouble.Good manners and a good attitude are also modeled by these cheerful little engines and the people who work with them.Thomas and friends tell one another good morning, thank one another for help, and are respectful of their drivers and Sir Topham Hatt.The lessons in politeness are all the stronger because it's just a "given" on the island of Sodor.If you are an upstanding engine, you speak politely to others.And punctuality! Each engine strives to be "right on time" and works very hard to avoid being late.This is such an important character trait for children to develop.Whether it's getting ready for school or piano practice, punctuality is important and is reinforced by the knowledge that every little engine strives to be "right on time.".The response of the engines to newcomers helps children understand the importance of kindness in welcoming others and being glad for the "new kid" and his contributions.Having watched Thomas and friends work through initial uncertainties and misunderstandings and become good friends with new engines, children see how they should respond in friendship to newcomers in their peer group.Friendliness is a character trait you will see children practicing in their role play with Thomas play toys.Another lesson, too, is dealing with difficult personalities.Even the best of engines have fits of petulancy, and some trucks and diesels in particular seem always to have a chip on their shoulder.For Thomas the Tank Engine and for his friends, this poses the lesson of how to deal with difficult people.Percy for instance, finds a creative way to teach mischievous trucks a lesson, modeling resourcefulness and a willingness to stand up for him.Children need to learn this too, that there are some difficult people in the world and it sometimes takes creativity and determination to work with them, and to thwart the trouble they may cause.Thomas the Tank engine stories and play toys stand out as very popular children's series that actually teaches many positive character traits in a completely wholesome environment.Parents appreciate that Thomas and friends are both hardworking AND polite.They are resourceful and even heroic, and at the same time they're respectful.They stand up for themselves when faced with difficult peers, but they learn to listen to sensible advice from those in authority.Sometimes this can be a rare combination of character traits in a children's series these days! If you're looking to build character, with toys and stories that small children love, check out Thomas and friends! You're sure to be impressed.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Rap Music - The New Frontier? HipHopology 101
ROLL CALL.During the early to mid '70s, visionaries like Kool DJ Herc introduced new ideas to the way music was played.Like some other music-loving 'bredren and sistren' along with myself, Kool DJ Herc was born in Kingston, Jamaica.Following the footsteps of Jamaicans that came before him, he relocated to the Bronx, NYC and took root.With a sound system like no other, there was always a party when Herc spun records.Folks from all city boroughs showed up, and brought their friends.Most of them had never experienced anything like Herc's thunder in the clubs or at 'block parties,' where he was a hometown favorite.There'll be more on these unique, social gatherings a little later.Kool DJ Herc was one of those cats that was thinking outside the box for a long time, and inspired other DJs to follow suit.Everywhere Herc touched down, he left a distinctive mark imprinted in the minds, bodies, and souls of music lovers in and around the vicinity.Afrika Bambaataa was homegrown in the Bronx.He is best-known for taking the radical, independent factions of the Hip-Hop lifestyle and organizing it all into an urban music society.And for being the first rapper, ever.In 1984, he worked on the song "Unity" with the recently departed Godfather of Soul, James Brown.(We're gonna miss ya, 'Soul Brother #1.') By mixing block parties with DJs and break-dancers, he synergized all the varying entities of Hip-Hop through his Zulu Nation.The Zulus educated inner-city youth about their history and empowered them to be productive citizens.His ears were open to all types of music as he became a catalyst for blending rhythmic styles from Africa with Funk, Go-Go, Jazz, Reggae, Rock, Salsa and Soca for the first time in music history.Bambaataa's affiliations included the Rock Steady Crew and Double Dutch Girls.There was also a spray-painting graffiti artist who parlayed his love for 'visual art' into being the host of a popular show that engaged the minds of America's Black and White youth.It ended up changing Rap music history all over the world.Now with a 'retired' can of spray paint, Yo MTV Raps' Fab 5 Freddy was also a key player in the classic film, "New Jack City." There'll be more on that captured moment in time a little later, after we finish up with Afrika Bambaataa (& friends), and dig further into the chapter. there's some real meat in thar! That's what's up.Afrika Bambaataa became a major music producer in his own right.He spent a lot of time logged in at Tommy Boy Records between 1982 and 2005.While there, he produced a huge hit for the New York club and radio scene, 1982's "Funky Sensation." To me, that song defined a new era of music for both myself and the City of New York."Funky Sensation" helped to establish a path that many dance music producers followed, well into the new millennium.Another historical Rap label that Bambaataa put some time in with was Profile Records.Profile was the home of a trio that made music history. Run-DMC and the late Jam Master Jay.Their chronicles defined the next wave of Hip-Hop and fashion by way of brimmed Fedoras, leather pants, blues jeans, and unlaced, Adidas sneakers.During the winter, they sported snorkels with fur around the hood.In New York winters of the 70s, we sported hats like Kangols (still popular) and 'Robin Hoods'(with side feathers) on the dome.Some folks liked toboggins and ski caps for their 'masking' feature.Brooklyn later picked up a pseudonym--Crooklyn.Our 70s fashion also consisted of colorful silk shirts (Versace predecessors), polyester pants with stitched pleats running down the sides called Swedish Knits, and bell-bottom blue jeans with zippers at the foot.Squares (L-7's) wore no name 'rejects,' but our popular footwear included Converse All-Stars, red, black and green Pro Keds, Pumas (my favorite were rust-colored), PONY's, and shell-toe Adidas.We had interesting acronyms for the latter two brands."I could tell you, but." you know the story.Looking back now, I notice that Adidas kept the same body style longer than the Ford Explorer did! My New York winter-wear included snorkels, sheepskins, leathers, 'Maxie' and 'Cortefiel' coats with soft fur on the collar; they were the rage.People got stuck up (ganked) for them, too.I once witnessed someone grab a friend's hat right off his head - as the train doors closed (this guy was quick!).Some of my 'classic' garments are still intact. a black Robin Hood hat with a now-wilted side feather, a colorful, winged (big collar) polyester shirt with a Disco theme on the front, my sky-blue high school graduation three-piece suit, 'Mack' full-length Maxie coat (it looked good; mom made it), and black Cortefiel coat are all stashed somewhere around Area 51.Don't ask me what I'm going to do with them, but my coats still have fur around the collar.Does "E.T.W." (Extra Terrestrial Wear) sound catchy to you? Let's check in with 'Rush' (Phat Farms), 'P-D' (Sean John), 'J to the Z' and 'Double D' (RocaWear), 'Fiddy' (G-Unit), and WTC (Wu Wear) for the final answer.I'm being told to nix the trip down memory lane and stick to the script, so it's back to the original 'bad boys' of 80s Rap.Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay opened up Pandora's box with their classic hit "Rock Box." I got a premonition of what was around the corner for Rock and Rap early on. sampled 'guitar crunches' fused with 'dem phat Hip-Hop beats, boyee!' Then the crystal ball revealed something else to me - up jumped Def Jam Recordings, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys, all using overdriven guitar sounds riding along with the big, deep 808 beat that caused car trunks (and the inside of your body) to vibrate.Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay un-laced their Adidas and went on to re-make Rock group Aerosmith's classic "Walk This Way," then invited the original rockers to get in on it.Along the way, Run-DMC sold a 'few million' records.In the background was one Russell Simmons, pushing buttons on his remote control.Then he got a cellphone.But before groups like Run-DMC made it to the game, there was one of the first major league rappers--Afrika Bambaataa.Oh yeah; along with his group The Soulsonic Force, Bambaataa fired off a ground-breaking shot remembered as being 'most strategically launched' from the annals of New York's urban jungle.When the classic "Planet Rock" hit Billboard's charts (it hit the year 1982 in a BIG way too), the song considerably changed music history.It used a similar robotic, vocoder-like sound as the one found in Kraftwerk's smash "Trans-Europe Express." "Planet Rock" was a smorgasbord of cool electronic sounds and Hip-Hop beats.Meshed together with samples from other records, it captured the attention of music lovers caught dancing to the non-stop, funky sensation of this incredible new beat.Afrika Bambaataa's Electro-Funk style went on to influence the sound of music styles like Dance, Electronic, House, and Techno.If a sound system exists anywhere in the galaxy, I predict that "Planet Rock" will rock it.In the meantime, you can listen out for this classic hit on Internet radio, satellite radio, broadcast radio, clubs and dance parties everywhere.'Nuff said--next!Creative minds of legendary pioneers such as Russell "Rush" Simmons, Eddie Cheeba, Spoonie G, Lovebug Starski, The Juice Crew, Marley Marl, MC Shan and D.J.Hollywood are also among those credited as being key leaders in the surge that brought Rap music and Hip-Hop culture to mainstream society.Many people may think the Sugar Hill Gang was one of a few initiating forces in Rap, but there were actually many other hot acts out there grinding to earn their dues --like those affiliated with Rush Productions.Rush was building a name for itself as a music promotion company to be noticed.I'll expound upon the meteoric rise of the dynamic institution which followed this event shortly thereafter.With affiliations everywhere and credits that include the timely debut of Hip-Hop players like Kurtis Blow, Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Scott La Rock, DJ Red Alert, and countless other faces hidden in the trenches, Rush was on a mission to conquer the world.The first-generation of Rap and Hip-Hop spawned a godfather, Russell Simmons, in addition to all these other creative talents.Collectively and in unison, they helped to centralize the cultural origins and sound of this music for an evolving world.The second-generation leaders of this new movement would include Russell's little brother Joseph, who along with Darryl McDaniels and the late Jason Mizell, made up Run-DMC. the first artists of their kind to go platinum by selling a million Rap records on Profile Records.This was just the beginning; Def Jam Recordings was on the way.Now let's connect the dots with Sugar Hill. Back in 1957, a group called Mickey & Sylvia recorded a Bo Diddley song, "Love Is Strange." Guitarist Mickey Baker and a vocalist named Sylvia Vanderpool established themselves in the music market as a potential hit-making duo.In 1964, Sylvia married a man named Joe Robinson.Their union led to the formation of a legacy that wouldn't play itself fully out until the Rap craze hit.In 1973, Sylvia rolled the dice and released a huge hit, "Pillow Talk." This song established a format that would be followed straight into the Disco heydays.Originally written for Al Green, his pass became Sylvia's score when it tallied up a #1 R&B and #3 Pop hit."Pillow Talk" was a sexy song that featured lots of heavy breathing, whispers, sighs and moans.It's reminiscent of Donna Summer's classic hit, "Love to Love You Baby.".Sylvia Robinson synergized her abilities as a singer, musician, producer, and record executive to take her whole game to another level.As a key player at All Platinum Records, she had a hand in Shirley & Company's 1975 hit "Shame Shame Shame." This became a top dance song, and hit #12 on the Pop charts.By 1979, Englewood, New Jersey's Sugar Hill Gang busted a big move by releasing a classic, "Rapper's Delight." In the background were Sylvia, Joe, and their Sugar Hill Record label.Passing their genes on to son Joey, Sugar Hill's West Street Mob went on to release hits like "Ooh Baby" and "Sing A Simple Song/Another Muther For Ya." Other aces in the deck included groups called The Sequence and The Funky 4+1.They scored a few hits with "Funk You Up," "Simon Says," and "That's the Joint," which used a nice sample from my girl Cheryl Lynn's song "Got To Be Real." We'll be taking her song apart and putting it back together again in another chapter of this book series, "What Is A Song.".Using finance money from Roulette Records chief Morris Levy (you can find out more about this guy in the book "Hit Men"--a highly-recommended favorite of mine."I could tell you more, but." You know the drill.As Sugar Hill grew, so did its artist roster, with the addition of Grandmaster Flash and his collective unit, The Furious Five.Although the Sugar Hill owners paid up a big balance and purchased the remaining interest in their company by the early 80's, things began to sour for them. a deal with MCA Records died and a fire toasted their legendary studio.The label eventually shut it doors by 1986.Almost 10 years later, retail-friendly Rhino Records picked up the Sugar Hill catalog and resuscitated the masters in the same way that they've done with many other lost or obscure masters.Through creative re-packaging, Rhino went on to revitalize the music (and some careers) of artists that were probably still waiting on royalties from the previous owners of their master recordings.The Sugar Hill Gang, West Street Mob and Sequence all have been released on various Sugar Hill compilations.An interesting occurrence after the Sugar Hill assault was the massive availability of the sequencer, drum machine, synthesizer, sampler and MIDI around the early 80s.'Creatives' and 'infamists' among the likes of Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, The Bomb Squad and producer Marley Marl locked themselves up in 'Big Apple laboratories' coming up with the next lethal mix of sound.When released, Def Jam and the 'Sound of Marl' quickly put music listeners into a 'yoke' as concoctions they whipped up became highly potent chemicals on the proverbial 'periodic music table of elements' upon hitting the airwaves; through radio station, mobile and club DJs.I cannot over-emphasize it enough. 'BIG UPS' to these guys! After the creative synergy of vocalists, musicians and producers, DJs are credited as being one of the most direct pipelines to exciting new music.You should take note that "DJ" makes up the initials of Def Jam.Now let's keep the record playing; teacher's not through with today's lesson yet.Independent labels like Profile, Sugar Hill, Priority, 4th.& Broadway and Tommy Boy scooped up young, talented Hip-Hop artists.Major labels like Columbia, Epic, MCA, Mercury and Warner Brothers got an early jump on the game as they formed alliances with Rap labels and artists.Moves like these were executed through street-savvy labels like Def Jam.It grew into the premier, multi-faceted music conglomerate of the century.Started in a college dorm room, Def Jam is now managed from a corporate boardroom, and worth hundreds of millions.Founder Russell Simmons parted from his share of the company in 1999, after the Universal Music Group made him a $100 million offer that he couldn't refuse.We're not talking pesos here, folks! Let's breeze through a few landmark events regarding Def Jam Recordings. In 1983, the company was founded by Russell, who was called "Rush" when he was business partners with one Rick Rubin.Before this form of osmosis occurred, Simmons 'did the business' behind pioneers like Kurtis Blow, the first Rap artist with a major record deal.He signed on with Mercury Records; it was a part of the PolyGram distribution machine.The label went on to forge a long-lasting relationship with Kurtis Blow, Russell 'Rush' Simmons, and his growing company.In spring of 1984, I began a two season internship with Def Jam's distributor.By fall quarter, I was a college rep.During Def Jam's first decade, I marketed and promoted every record released through the pipeline.This included music by the distributor's affiliated Epic label.Epic was born to CBS Records (a division of CBS, Inc.) during the early 50s.It was a cute little Classical/Jazz label and grew to be a strong, healthy major label with many active body parts (Rock, R&B, Country).Epic picked up other siblings.One of them was T-Neck Records.An influential Soul/R&B/Funk collective of the 50s, 60's, 70's, 80's and beyond the new millennium terrain, The Isley Brothers ran a music empire tucked inside this fully-functional sibling unit's clothes.And bank account--let's call it a budget.Another sibling was Portrait Records.By the 80's, Portrait had sold millions of records by major stars like Cyndi Lauper, Sade and Stanley Clarke.Since Epic was the oldest kid, it acquired a firm place in history as the foundation that supported the throne of none other than the King of Pop music, Michael Jackson.As a matter of fact, the former lead singer of Motown's Jackson Five actively participated (along with wildly colorful CBS Records group president Walter Yetnikoff) in the disbursement of CBS' unwanted offspring (CBS Records, Inc.) to the Sony Corporation in 1988.By 2004, Sony Music Entertainment had consolidated its monster Columbia and Epic labels, then merged with another major record label. BMG.On the Internet, iTunes was selling millions of digital downloads.But that's a story for later.Stay tuned.Def Jam product began flowing through shortly after I jumped in the big game to see if I could swim.I witnessed the music of many groundbreaking artists 'rushed' through the system.Notable executives like Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles entered the fold, as promoters like Wes Johnson and Johnnie Walker locked down efforts to turn the airwaves into 'Def Jam radio.' Def Jam became one of the hottest commodities in distribution by the other major label within a major label.This record company made its mark by using a red trademark on the product it manufactured.Columbia Records was the big brother of Def Jam. the hottest Rap label in the Hip-Hop market.Def Jam had million-selling acts like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, and later arrivals like DMX, then Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records.Columbia, also known as "Big Red," was owned by music giant CBS Records.By 1991, CBS Records was purchased by the Sony Corporation for some $2 billion that I'll say came out of the 'petty cash fund' (they had OLD money, and plenty of it).CBS Records later became Sony Music Entertainment.If you haven't guessed already (where've you been?), here's a prediction. you'll read about more adventures with 'the firm' as we move along.Between all of this 'promoting' (as a college rep), I managed getting an introduction to Russell Simmons at a Jack The Rapper convention in Atlanta by Columbia's national director of Black music promotion, Miss Mike Bernardo, who is such a sweet lady.At this time, she was next in line to the vice-president of Columbia's national promotion department. Vernon Slaughter and Mike Bernardo were responsible for the overall performance of Columbia's Black radio and club promotion department.Vernon later became one of Atlanta's top power brokers.He was LaFace Record's first general manager, personally signing artists like Toni Braxton to the label.He later became a key player at a law firm headed up by powerhouse entertainment lawyer Joel Katz, and was the legal muscle behind many artist deals, movie soundtracks and no telling what else!As vice-president and national director respectively, Vernon and Mike implemented the national strategies set forth by Columbia.The staff consisted of dozens of regional promotion people strategically placed in key American cities.Throughout my career at the label Vernon, Mike, and the promotion people I knew showed me plenty of love, and were first-class players in the game, too.Not long after Def Jam's arrival, I became an account service rep, then a Black music marketing rep for Sony's southeast regional branch in Atlanta.I doubt if there was any connection.Anyway, Def Jam left Sony for PolyGram in 1994 (also the year that I parted company with Sony and launched a recording studio); that same year, PolyGram purchased 50% of Sony's holdings in Def Jam.By 1996, PolyGram bought another 10%, and in 1998 the Universal Music Group (UMG) acquired PolyGram Group Distribution (PGD) to become the world's biggest record label.After a series of major operational changes, longtime staffers Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles severed ties with Def Jam, which by now had grown to include other hot labels like Atlanta-based Def Jam South (headed up by The Geto Boys' Mr.Scarface), Disturbing Tha Peace (Ludacris), Def Soul, Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Roc-A-Fella.Though DMX's product was released through Def Jam, his Ruff Ryders crew got a label deal with Interscope.In the post Cohen/Liles era, former LaFace/Arista big-wig L.A.Reid re-appeared at the helm of the big ship.Then, multi-platinum rapper Jay-Z became the new chief of Def Jam (now part of Island Def Jam Music Group), proving that he too, could do what Rap music guru Russell Simmons' legendary rapper Kurtis Blow said he wanted to do. 'Rule The World.'.The future of Def Jam included plans for more affiliations with labels like Atlanta's Slip-N-Slide Records (Ying Yang Twins).Atlanta was now a city on the move, and Simmons made it a frequent stop on his international itinerary.From Rush Productions and Kurtis Blow to Def Jam, OBR and Rush Associated Labels, to Rush Communications and Phat Farms, the Visa 'Rush Card,' a beautiful model-wife and kids, to astronomic amounts of future cash flow, Russell Simmons demonstrated his ability to serve as the Rap game's foremost guiding hand.And 'head of the household,' too.He was the proverbial captain of a ship, navigating through those often-bumpy waters of the constantly shifting Rap/Hip-Hop industry.Def Jam Recordings became an extraordinary multimedia company because of a determined visionary's ability to reach out and touch people-- through the power of Rap music and the Hip-Hop culture.Simply put, none of these entities could be spoken of without mention of the great and powerful, "Mr.Rush.".
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