Hip Hop Be Bop

Although pictured as a trio on some European sleeves, C.O.D. was actually the production duo of Man Parrish and Raul Rodriguez (R.I.P.)…again! (Two Sisters, Rama, etc). Tired of being ripped off by record labels they created C.O.D. (Cash On Delivery) with the idea to be paid once a track was finished instead of waiting for sales. The trio pictured on some of the record sleeves are sessions singers they hired to sing vocals and not the actual group.

The electro cover version of the 1974 Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson classic was their first track for Emergency and is a classic of the time. Also worthy of note is the UK release on Morgan Khan‘s Streetwave which included a special mega-mix by James Hamilton ‘The Mighty Chopper’ which incorporated Tyrone Brunson‘s The Smurf.

The following year they also released another cover version, this time of ‘Uphill (Peace Of Mind)’, originally written by Frederick Knight and released in 1975 by The Gospel Truth before Knight released his own version in 1976. The preferred version among hip hop DJ’s at the time though, due to the drum break, was the rock version by Kid Dynamite which featured on the Ultimate Breaks & Beats series of LP’s.

Both releases also included the uncredited keyboard talents of Marcus Barone.