GENERATION NEXT - The Gavin Report - 1994

 

From The Gavin Report - April 29, 1994

Mark Sparks Presents Kakalaka Raw! - 1996

 

12" - 1996 - Kakalaka Music  

Mark Sparks Presents Kakalaka Raw is a 12" released in 1996 on Kakalaka Music. This 12" contains the track "Kakalaka Raw!"(Main, Instrumental & Remix) performed by the SOHO crew and Puerto Rock on the A-side, and the track "Game Mobbers" performed by Puerto Rock on the B-side. 

Soho crew (a.k.a Southern Hospitality) was comprised of D-Mack & Dizzy Dee. They started music in College around 1987 when they were at the North Carolina State University. A third member was also in the group at that time... the legendary Omniscence who decided to leave the group for a solo career and released his "The Funky Oneliner" EP in 1993.  

D-Mack & Dizzy Dee hooked up with the producer Mark Sparks in Charlotte, NC. He produced their first single "Shortie" in 1993 which was released on Jet Enterprises Inc. Soho Crew were back 3 years later with "Kakalaka Raw!" featuring Puerto Rock, a solo artist from New York who moved to Charlotte, NC. The single "Kakalaka Raw!" will be included in the dope "Kakalaka Raw" compilation album released on CD the same year and which was reissued on vinyl in 2016 by Crooked Cat Records. 

This 12" has been recently for sale twice on ebay, so nothing is lost if you're looking for it. Peace

Album Review : Special Ed - Revelations - 1995

LP - 1995 - Profile Records 

From The Source - August 1995 - Scan courtesy of Frederic Thecle 

Soho - Shortie - 1993

12" - 1993 - Jet Enterprises.Inc 

North Carolina based group SOHO also known under the name of Southern Hospitality was originally composed of Omniscence, D- Mack and Dizzy Dee. Omniscence decided to leave the group for a solo career and released his "The Funky One Liner" EP.  

Then D-Mack and Dizzy Dee released their first single "Shortie" (Shorty Who's Your Friend ) produced by Mark Sparks and Laquan who also features in the track. The Jazzy Instrumental contains a sample of  "Close Your Eyes" performed by Cal Tjader.

All these cats will be back in 1996 with the excellent Kakalaka Raw compilation. 

Mark Sparks presents Kakalaka Raw (20th Anniversary Edition)

2xLP - 2016 - Crooked Cat Records  

"So we have something special here. From Wadesboro, North Carolina comes Mark Sparks, one of the most slept on producers of the 90s. He did tracks for Mic Geronimo, The Lost Boyz, King Tee, Grand Puba, Guru's Jazzmatazz, Special Ed, The Inviseez, Kirk, Scotty D, M.C. Brainz, Nice & Smooth, Craig G and even Salt 'n' Pepa. While Mark was producing tracks for 90s legends and establishing himself as a well known engineer and producer, he still took time to work with several unknown cats from NC to represent his area. So that's how it came down to this compilation. The album was released on CD and tape back in 1996 on Kakalaka Records but it's nearly impossible to find a copy for your own. So this unique piece exists for 20 years now and it was meant to showcase talent and reach the people - we thought it was a sad fact that many would love to own a copy but didn't have a chance get one.

We have 350 2LP copies on black vinyl. The record comes with full printed picture cover and 60cmx60cm poster inside. We also have 150 CDs and 100 Tapes. The album has been remastered and it sounds butta! As a lil special treat we added 3 bonus tracks from The Soho Crew to the Cassette and CD edition. Those 3 tracks came from the same sessions and sadly from last tape source that could be located. The sound quality is still good but not good enough for a vinyl production. The length of the album was perfect to cut a high quality 2LP - adding those 3 extra tracks would decrease the sound quality of the whole project... so I thought the songs belong to the other formats.

Big up to Mark Sparks for holding it down and being such a cool person. It's a pleasure working with him. We went a long way to get here and make the album possible. Mark dealt with a lot and was very busy but he always stuck with the project. There is a lot of time, work and soul behind this record and I'm very happy that it ended up as such a beautiful piece of wax. If you feel it and wanna show some love for his work, reach out to him and let him know. Mark is going through his archive right now, digging out some more... so Watch Out!"

Crooked Cat Records 

20th Anniversary Edition 2xLP, full printed picture cover and 60cmx60cm poster included.

350 Copies Only !!

 Cop It 


 Test Press Bundle , Tape (100 Copies) &  CD (150 Copies) also available