Tag Archives: Spatts

2 Minds

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2 Minds consisted of producers Spatts and Halo of Hip Hop\Rave collective The Criminal Minds who released a 12″ single using the alias while working with Labello Blanco Recordings during 1993. The single consisted of three compositions (Bubble riddim & ting, Raggas in space (commando blood fire version), Raggas in space (nervous breakdown mix)) and was released with a black & white sleeve which can be viewed in the below slide show:

2 Minds “Bubble riddim & ting\Raggas in space record sleeve” – Labello Blanco, 1993.

All three recordings were created, produced and mixed by Spatts and Halo at “The Hill” which refers to the location of the TCM HQ at Shipton Hill, Milton Keynes during the early 1990s. Several of the compositions from the 12″ single which were the only recordings released by the duo as 2 Minds can be heard in the below youtube playlist. At the time of publishing the track entitled “Raggas in space (commando blood fire version)” is not currently available on youtube. Continue reading →

32 Troop

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32 Troop initially consisted of producers Spatts and Halo who at the time were the musical force behind Hip Hop\Rave collective The Criminal Minds (TCM). The duo released a 12″ single entitled “Papa Malaysia\Old school soldier” in 1992 while working with White House Records. In 2012 Spatts resurrected the 32 Troop name and teamed up with producers Jerome Hill and Merlin to create a series of Hip Hop EPs that featured a host of rappers and DJs from the UK and Europe.

32 Troop “Papa Malaysia\Old school soldier playlist” – White House, 1992.

The “Papa Malaysia\Old school soldier” single that can be heard in the above youtube  playlist consists of three recordings (Papa Malaysia (Eviction Mix), Papa Malaysia (Bonus Beats), Old School Soldier (Spatt’s 24 Hour Ruffneck Mix)) in total all of which were produced and mixed by Spatts and Halo. In 1993 “Papa Malaysia” was remixed by Hardware (Zak & Jan) and retitled “32 Troop” for its inclusion on The Criminal Minds “Joyrider ep” also released on White House Records. Continue reading →

The Criminal Minds (TCM) Part Three

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Welcome to the third part of the series of articles documenting the musical achievements of Milton Keynes\Buckingham Hip Hop collective The Criminal Minds. In the third chapter we will focus on the period between 1993-1994 and the groups achievements as an established Rave\Hardcore crew. To revisit the previous chapters please select one of the below links:

The Criminal Minds – Early 1990s.

By 1993 TCM had recorded and released several successful vinyl EPs that had firmly established the crew as part of the UK Rave scene of the early 1990s. TCM production coordinators Spatts and Halo had developed a signature sound and formula that contained elements of Hip Hop, Reggae and Dance music which continued to create opportunities for the collective. The TCM live experience was also accompanied by the groups vocalists MC Iceski, CMD, and Safe D. Continue reading →