Album flashback

Kon Kan - Move To Move [1989]

The late 80s saw all kinds of different musical styles succeeding on the charts.

In fact 1989 was so diverse that I wrote about it here:

One of the biggest swings came from Kon Kan - a sample-heavy, electronic act that was focused on the dance floor.

The act is primarily a project of Barry Harris - who later become half of the Thunderpuss remix and production duo that worked with the likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, and Janet Jackson among others.

In the case of this project most of the vocals were provided by Kevin Wynne, who ended up leaving the group following the album’s release.

The record had an almost two-year cycle that launched four singles and produced a JUNO Award in 1990.

I will detail the four singles in order here, along with info on the samples used. In more than one case songwriting credits were shared with the source artist.

Good to note that 1989 was likely the year that killed this kind of sampling - due in no small part to Beastie Boys and ‘Paul’s Boutique’!

I’m using sample data from whosampled.com

I Beg Your Pardon [I Never Promised You A Rose Garden] | peaked #19 Canada, #5 UK

This single was a smash on dance floors worldwide. I wanted to provide the extended dance version but… copyright. Check it on YouTube if you like the bonus beats.

Co-writing credited to original artist Lynn Anderson, which makes sense when you nick the name of that track in full!

Further, any time you’re sampling Tones On Tail is a win.

Harry Houdini, peaked #39

Broken into two pieces for the single release, this is the full version alongside ‘Arts In D Minor’.

Samples are high profile, but not so much that a full credit was warranted.

Puss N’ Boots / These Boots [Are Made For Walking], peaked #61

While the Zeppelin sample is obvious and was credited, the voice was from a producer.

Similarly, Kon Kan used a Nancy Sinatra sound-alike on the actual track. Original ‘Boots’ producer Lee Hazelwood was noted on the album.

The MC on the rap break is Bronx Style Bob.

Move To Move, peaked #84

A lovely mid-tempo title track sounds quite like Depeche Mode to my ear.

There was a club mix released that actually sampled ‘I Beg Your Pardon’ and this track was ‘revisited’ for Kon Kan’s 1993 record ‘Vida!…’.

Harris still tours under the Kon Kan banner.