Robbed Hit of the Week 10/14/13 - Newcleus' "Jam On It"...

Newcleus - "Jam On It"
from the album Jam On Revenge (1984)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #56

This week's Song of the Day was one of the iconic singles of the early hip-hop scene, even though it was by and large a "novelty" record. Newcleus came together in Brooklyn in the late 70's and got their start playing block parties. One of their favorites from that time, "Jam On Revenge", cranked the speed of the background vocals, and released on record became their first R&B hit, topping off at #26 in 1983. That record almost made the top-40 across the ocean in England, stopping at #44.

The group stuck to the formula for their next single, "wikki wikki" and all, and their "chipmunked" follow-up, "Jam On It", had an even spacier, nastier groove, and became not only their biggest soul hit, but their first taste of "pop" success...

"Jam On It" rocketed up to #9 on the R&B chart in the summer of 1984, while crossing over the pop chart in the fall, peaking at #56 in September and spending almost four months on the Hot 100. The 12" single also made it up to #16 on the dance club play chart.

The collective's next effort, "Computer Age (Push The Button)" made the top-40 on the soul chart for the band's last time a couple of months later. A few more minor R&B hit followed, with their last, "Na Na Beat", slowing down the tempo and bringing back the "chipmunking" in 1986.

(Click below to see the rest of the post)


...and here's the 12" single mix that went top-20 on the dance charts...

...and again on Soul Train...