Herbie the Mastermind
Encyclopedia
Herbie the Mastermind (real name Herbie Laidley) is a DJ who has worked under a variety of pseudonym
s, including The Rapologists and Mastermind (confusingly, this is also the name of a DJ collective that Herbie was a member of, with Dave V.J and Max L.X as well as others). He is most famous for mixing the Street Sounds collections of early electro
, as well as for a variety of remixes over the years.
In 1983, Herbie was mixing the seminal Street Sounds Electro 1
(Street Sounds, 1983), for label owner Morgan Khan
. It was one of the first releases to bring this new style of music to British ears, and spawned a successful series - ten volumes were released by the time of the final volume Street Sounds 10 (Street Sounds, 1985) - and several similarly styled associated collections (Street Sounds Hip Hop Electro, Street Sounds Hip Hop, Street Sounds Crucial Electro). Khan was brought a track produced by Greg Wilson
, "Style of the Street" by Broken Glass
, which Kahn appreciated so much he decided to put out an album called Street Sounds UK Electro (Street Sounds, 1984). In order to create the impression of a thriving UK electro scene, Kahn asked Greg and his group to come up with six tracks under a variety of pseudonyms for the album, whilst Herbie also created a track for the album - "Hip Hop Beat (Street Mix)", under the pseudonym of The Rapologists. The album reached number 60 in the UK Chart, and Herbie's tune was also released as a single - Hip Hop Beat (Billy Boy Records, 1984) - featuring scratches from the sadly missed Whiz Kid.
Herbie went on to produce a remix of "White Lines" for Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
which was released as a single and on the album Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (Sugar Hill Records
, 1984), as well as remixes/production for artists like Harlequin 4, Numarx, DJ Jazzy Jeff
and the Fresh Prince
, Cookie Crew
and Neneh Cherry
. Following his co-production of the Neneh Cherry single - Buddy X (Circa Records, 1993) - Herbie disappeared from the scene and news of what he has been doing since is scarce.
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
s, including The Rapologists and Mastermind (confusingly, this is also the name of a DJ collective that Herbie was a member of, with Dave V.J and Max L.X as well as others). He is most famous for mixing the Street Sounds collections of early electro
Electro (music)
Electro is a genre of electronic dance music directly influenced by the use of TR-808 drum machines, Moog keytar synthesizers and funk sampling...
, as well as for a variety of remixes over the years.
In 1983, Herbie was mixing the seminal Street Sounds Electro 1
Street Sounds Electro 1
-External links:*...
(Street Sounds, 1983), for label owner Morgan Khan
Morgan Khan
Morgan Khan is a music mogul and entrepreneur well known in the UK during the 1980s. He played a large part in making various genres of urban music more accessible to UK consumers of Black and urban music after his founding of the iconic StreetSounds record label.- Early career :Khan has been...
. It was one of the first releases to bring this new style of music to British ears, and spawned a successful series - ten volumes were released by the time of the final volume Street Sounds 10 (Street Sounds, 1985) - and several similarly styled associated collections (Street Sounds Hip Hop Electro, Street Sounds Hip Hop, Street Sounds Crucial Electro). Khan was brought a track produced by Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson is a DJ and producer associated with both the early 80’s electro scene in Manchester, and the current disco / re-edit scene, for which he’s acquired a global following...
, "Style of the Street" by Broken Glass
Ruthless Rap Assassins
The Ruthless Rap Assassins were a British hip hop group from Hulme, Manchester, England. The group was formed by MC Kermit La Freak and brothers Dangerous Hinds and Dangerous C .-History:Kermit grew up in Moss Side, Manchester - where he learnt to play violin at the age of 6 - and was...
, which Kahn appreciated so much he decided to put out an album called Street Sounds UK Electro (Street Sounds, 1984). In order to create the impression of a thriving UK electro scene, Kahn asked Greg and his group to come up with six tracks under a variety of pseudonyms for the album, whilst Herbie also created a track for the album - "Hip Hop Beat (Street Mix)", under the pseudonym of The Rapologists. The album reached number 60 in the UK Chart, and Herbie's tune was also released as a single - Hip Hop Beat (Billy Boy Records, 1984) - featuring scratches from the sadly missed Whiz Kid.
Herbie went on to produce a remix of "White Lines" for Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978. Composed of one DJ and five rappers Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in...
which was released as a single and on the album Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (Sugar Hill Records
Sugar Hill Records (rap)
Sugar Hill Records was the name of a rap music record label that was founded in 1979 by husband and wife Joe and Sylvia Robinson with Milton Malden and financial funding of Morris Levy, the owner of Roulette Records.-History:...
, 1984), as well as remixes/production for artists like Harlequin 4, Numarx, DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Jeffrey Allen Townes , also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff or simply Jazz, is an American hip hop, R&B record producer, turntablist and actor. He is best known for his early career with Will Smith as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince...
and the Fresh Prince
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
, Cookie Crew
Cookie Crew
Cookie Crew were a rap music duo formed in Clapham, South London in 1983.-Career:Their career took off after winning a national rap championship and recording two sessions for the John Peel BBC Radio 1 show...
and Neneh Cherry
Neneh Cherry
Neneh Mariann Cherry is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, and occasional DJ and broadcaster...
. Following his co-production of the Neneh Cherry single - Buddy X (Circa Records, 1993) - Herbie disappeared from the scene and news of what he has been doing since is scarce.