Bill Brewster - Sources: The Streetwise Records Anthology (2015)

The ninth release in the Sources series focuses on one of the more unique New York independent record labels of the early to mid-1980s. Originally set up by producer extraordinaire Arthur Baker, the Streetwise label managed a dazzling array of hit records from the start with huge international smashes by Rockers Revenge, Freeeze and New Edition. The imprint was also responsible for signing some leftfield records like Dr John’s “Jet Set”, the weird and wonderful Dominatrix with “The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight" and even New Order with “Confusion”, displaying a wide-reaching grasp of different styles. No record was too bizarre for Streetwise who licensed in the pumping jazz-funk of Touchdown’s “Ease Your Mind” and even Eartha Kitt’s gay anthem “Where Is My Man”. The label dominated the US and UK dance charts with a plethora of releases like Colonel Abrams early garage anthem “Music Is The Answer”, Cuba Gooding’s fantastic remake of “Happiness Is Just Around The Bend” and even veteran diva Loleatta Holloway with the brittle “Crash Goes Love”. They were also in early on the hip-hop scene with Dimples D, Guru and T La Rock & Jazzy Jay. As with all Sources releases, this is another deep dip into New York club culture and Streetwise was pretty much as close to the streets as the name suggests. File with the other Sources releases and keep the collection going!