Los Angeles was a key capital on the tiny corner of the early hip-hop map known as electro, and
Uncle Jamm's Army were one of the primary reasons for that. An extended crew of producers, DJs, and vocalists including
Ice-T,
Egyptian Lover,
the Unknown DJ, and
Chris "The Glove" Taylor,
Uncle Jamm's Army released a string of popular, influential electro cuts during 1984-1986, including "What's Your Sign," "Dial-a-Freak," and "Yes, Yes, Yes," all for the Freak Beat label. Notable for their all-around musicality; driving, effective rhythms; and uncompromising attitude,
Uncle Jamm's Army remain one of the most important pieces in the old-school electro puzzle and have influenced scores of new-school electro producers, from
Autechre to
I-F.
–
Sean Cooper, Rovi