REWIND: Urban Hype - 'A Trip To Trumpton'

While looking at some records in a charity shop the other day, I saw a 7" copy of this and couldn't resist. Hearing 'A Trip To Trumpton' on a Top 40 countdown in 1992 was to my knowledge the first time I had ever heard "rave" music, and its for that reason that this is the first song that comes to mind whenever i hear the term "rave". Distinctively hyperactive and complete with sped-up, proto-jungle beats as well as mad techno synths that really evoke the era, it was those alarm bells that interested my ears the most. Of course it was a rather ridiculous novelty record released to cash in on the rave trend, but enjoy it for what it is. So 21 years after hearing it, the song is finally part of my collection... 

According to Wikipedia "It featured samples from the 1960s children's television programme Trumpton. It followed a popular trend at the time of releasing tracks based around children's TV samples - other songs that did this included The Prodigy's "Charly", based on the 'Charley Says' series of public information films from the 1970s, and The Smart E's "Sesame's Treet", which sampled the theme music from Sesame Street. This subgenre was dubbed "Toytown Techno"..."

Interestingly, it seems that this song is now the subject of some controversy, as 'engineer' Jack Smooth claims that he "originally conceived the idea. I invited Urban Hype to record it with me. I co-wrote, produced and mixed this record. This is contrary to what is credited (only an engineer credit). Everyone who was anyone in the genre (Carl Cox, Phantasy, Fabio, Grooverider, etc, etc, etc) knew I was behind it and they were never taken seriously again afterwards. Some people have no shame, self respect or respect for others. I guess that's why their career lasted only 1.5 years - There is a lot to learn from making such an silly error of judgement..."