Hip Hop Be Bop

Michael Diekmann and Stuart Argabright began their music careers as members of experimental electronic group, Ike Yard, in 1979, releasing a single and album before dissolving in 1983.

Stuart then went on to record as Dominatrix, releasing the pop/electro track, ‘The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight’ on Arthur Baker‘s Streetwise Records which was mixed by Jay Burnett.

In 1984 he then founded Death Comet Crew together with Michael Diekmann once again and new members, Shinichi Shimokawa and Nick Taylor aka DJ High Priest. Although not a permanent member, the group were also joined, on occasion, by NYC rap legend, Rammellzee. Together they recorded the 4-track single ‘At The Marble Bar’ for Beggars Banquet in 1985 which also included ‘Exterior Street’, a track entirely freestyled by Rammellzee in the studio. In 1986 they also released the single ‘Mystic Eyes’ as Death Comet before disbanding a year later.

Tracks from ‘At The Marble Bar’ were later remixed and released in Japan on CD in 2005 followed by vinyl in 2007, which included the original 1985 version together with the previously unreleased instrumental and acapella versions, hence the reason I’ve included it here.

Death Comet Crew reformed in 2003 together with Rammellzee and performed at a number of live shows. They also worked on a new album which was eventually released in 2013 called ‘Ghost Among The Crew’ and was titled in honor of Rammellzee who sadly passed away in 2010.