An audio restoration project for 21-year-old BUS HUS tape grew to become an expanded sci-fi hip-hop remix EP featuring recent Bandcamp Daily artist Yons, and Chinstrap Collective alumnae Jason Schooling and J.A. Martin. Release June 4, 2021.
BUS HUS returns with a unique expansion of their original debut single into a cinematic remix album “Space Raps - 21st Anniversary Edition.” The group continues to confound and delight with a drastic reimagining of the project that is equal parts alternative hip-hop and science fiction film score. The forthcoming record is a follow-up to 2019’s Necro Techno LP and is set to be released on June 04, 2021 on Chinstrap Productions label with special content for Bandcamp, but available to stream everywhere.
The new Space Raps features a full restoration of the original songs “On A Mission” and “Computers Made You” from high quality tape transfer including elements never heard before. The album is also stacked with new interpretations including the single “Computers Made You, Too” featuring new verses from the group’s full line-up and a scorching feature from fellow Louisville artist and multi-instrumentalist Yons (eonsd.bandcamp.com). The group delivers long-form story raps sometimes ominous, other times as playfully obtuse as The Beastie Boys or Kool Keith. Chinstrap Productions label-mates Jason Schooling and J.A. Martin join the group to expand the album's themes in creating three drastic instrumental reimaginings of the material in the cinematic spirit of artists like Ennio Morricone, Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks), and Adrian Younge.
Since the beginning BUS HUS has used whatever means necessary to record. The original Space Raps recordings were made by founding member Droses on equipment purchased from the insurance payout from a car wreck. Reflecting on the decades-old source tapes he said, “It felt like a life or death message about what was going to happen if humans didn’t change their ways; I’m not on a death trip, I want to survive. My circumstances felt dire at the time. We were predicting the future; there’s a helicopter on Mars today.” The group continues to celebrate and use the same tape recorder while fusing it with the flexibility of modern recording equipment at their own Gary’s Upgrades Studios in Louisville.
“The BUS HUS sound explodes at the point of collision of electronica, straight up hip-hop, and a deep delve into rock/pop/soul past and present,” says Don Dean, the listening services supervisor at Dwight Anderson Memorial Music Library at the University of Louisville School of Music. Don also hosts the radio program Freak ‘N Swing and Rock ‘N Roll in Louisville sharing the Friday evening line-up with friends and collaborators that include the members of BUS HUS. “Like any band of substance, the live performance brings out the strength of the material.”
Digitizing the tapes:
The original Space Raps masters were mixed again by the band and was digitally transferred by Col. Crates at Gary's Upgrades Studios. The restored and remastered sessions were then made available to contributing artists for remixes and additional vocals.
credits
released June 4, 2021
BUS HUS:
Droses- Produced, wrote, performed, and recorded all elements of original songs. Cover art and video direction. Vocals and mixes.
Crates- Engineering and mastering. Vocals and mixes.
Ethan AD- Vocals, light and energy.
Personnel:
Jason Schooling- Composition/Remix tracks 3, 9.
Yons- Vocals track 5.
JA Martin- Composition/Remix track 6.
Special thanks:
Mom, Dad, partners and family, Cordia, Ricky and Reggie, Megan Riggle, Ashley Duncan, Ethan Senn, Yons, Rosemary Sims, Shadowdancer, Don Dean, Jess and Eric, John Mudman Murner, Gary Basil Bromley, Chris Wunderlich, Bill Zink, Kris Applanalp, Amy Jones, Terry Harper, Jason Schooling, Justin Martin, WildBill, Brian Barbee, Shawn O’ Donnell, Chris Chappell, Dave Wheatley, Kate and Jameson, Jason and Melissa, Rude Weirdo, Chris Willems, Jessica Burden, Dane Waters, Raw Thug, Jaxon, Dave Bird, Textbeak, Karallel Universe, Sun Dreezy, The Delighters,
Tim Barnes, Meghan Johnson, Cory Fusting, Mark Wallace, Joey Mudd, JPB, SDDP, The Winger Brothers, Ed Lutz, Yoko Molotov, Mary Yates, Eric Stoess, Art Sanctuary, Sharon & Sean and the ArtXFM family, Chinstrap Productions, Allison Kloss, Brian Manley, Niki Finley, Angeli Cardenas, Julie Gross, Dan Willems, Heather Floyd, Dave Rucinski, Aaron Conway, Allen White, Douglas Lucas, Brian Silliman, Kush Jones, Todd Bashear, Bob Nastanovich, and Nachbar.
Created in Goa, India, without the benefit of a studio, “Serpentine” is an adrenaline shot to the heart—relentlessly joyous dance music. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 12, 2022
