CUBPOP: Apache

While watching a movie on cable (would you think less of me if the film was Dodgeball?) I nearly freaked out for a song I hadn't heard in years, The Sugarhill Gang's version of the 60's classic Apache. Of course, I immediately pulled my Sugarhill cd out and played it loud. I had always known it was a cover, but not much else, so I did a little research. It's interesting to look and listen to the evolution of the song Apache.

Originally recorded by The Shadows, Cliff Richards' original backup band, Apache was an instrumental hit that the bands solo career. They never achieved as great success as with Apache and played for Richards until 1968 and stayed active until disbanded in 1990.

The next incarnation for the song was by The Incredible Bongo Band. TIBB was a revolving-door group of studio musicians led by bongo player Michael Viner. Their funky version of The Shadows' Apache become one of hip-hop's earliest breakbeat staples and one of the most sampled tracks in hip-hop history. First-generation hip-hop DJs Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash came to rely on its percussion breaks to get block parties moving.

Label mates to Grandmaster Flash, Sugarhill Gang, completely reworked Apache and forged memorable grooves exploring the funk side of rap/hip-hop. Sugarhill Gang was named after their record label, Sugarhill Records (founded by Sylvia Robinson), Sugarhill Gang is known today mainly today for their groundbreaking sampling (Chic's Good Times) hit Rapper's Delight.

Lastly, a decade later, in 1992, the band Senseless Things reworked the tune for Ruby Trax: The NME's Roaring 40, the must-have British indie covers project (and benefit for The Spastic's Society). This version is sadly not good and bespeaks what was wrong with 90's music and included here for evolutionary purposes more than anything else.

The Shadows - Apache (1960)
The Incredible Bongo Band - Apache (1973)
Sugarhill Gang - Apache (Jump On It) (1982)
Senseless Things - Apache (1992)