Uncle Jamm's Army

Uncle Jamm's Army
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, electro-hop
Years active	1978-1988
Labels	Freak Beat, Dunk Yer Funk

Uncle Jamm's Army is a former American hip hop crew based in Los Angeles, California in the 1980s. Their singles "What's Your Sign", "Dial-a-Freak", and "Yes, Yes, Yes" were influential to the electro, old school hip hop, and early-West Coast hip hop genres.^[1]

History

Originally known as The Night Time Players, the group was originally formed in 1974 by Rodger Clayton,Charles "Alvon" Woods, Alphonse Finn,Renord Collins,Pernell Prothro,Tony Willis,and Barry Harris giving house parties at 911 Stonebryn Drive in Harbor City. In 1978 the group trimmed down to Rodger Clayton, Charles Woods,Renord Collins and added Rodney Gardner to form Unique Dreams Entertainment. Rodger dubbed himself as The Ace of Dreams (DJ).Later 1978, Arthur "Gid" Martin who was friends with Rodger at Narbonne High and first met at Henry Clay Jr High School, and his brother Tony Martin were attempting to give a party and asked Rodger to DJ for them. Rodger suggested they join forces and start promoting dances together with Rodger spinning under the name Ace of Dreams and later Mr Prince. But they needed a name, a name that would catch everyone's attention. Later that year George Clinton released an album entitled: Uncle Jam Wants YOU! The Name Uncle Jamms Army hit home and was adopted. The group became the number one dance promoters and DJ's on the Western Coast of the United States. Clayton was no stranger to the turntables as he organized his first house party back in 1973, playing such classics as "Right Place, Wrong Time" by Dr. John, "Funky Worm" by the Ohio Players, Let's get it on by Marvin Gaye,Good Foot by James Brown,and his favourite band the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. Before forming Unique Dreams and Uncle Jamm's Army, Rodger spun records for a mobile DJ organization called LSD formed by Larry Grisby. Assemblyman of Gardena Steve Bradford & Former City Councilman of Carson Darryl Sweeney (Gardena High Alum's). After LSD stopped payment on his $25 check,Rodger told them that one day he will form his own organization and put them out of business. Uncle Jam's Army along with Alonzo(Wrecking Crew)Williams (Gardena High Alum),were among the earliest hip hop DJs on the West Coast and helped to bring the electro scene there. The group was influenced by Prince,Kraftwerk,East Coast electro. In the beginning, the Army first played funky disco but when Sugarhill Records started putting out great rap and funk hits, rap had finally reached the West Coast. Their major competitors during Uncle Jamms run to supremacy was L.S.D., Z-Cars (Curtis Garrett- Locke High), JC2 Production (John Carter- Locke High) and Bay Phi Si/Westchester Bay Lockers (Curtis Jackson- Westchester High) In December 1978, at Alpine Village was the site of the groups Breakout Dance. Packing the house, standing room only! They never looked back, they were on the road to the top.

In 1982, Rodger opened his first Music Store The DJ Booth (Slausen & Western Ave.). Catering to all the local DJ's selling 12 inch records

In 1983, the DJ group expanded further and Uncle Jam's recruited underground DJ's and MC's who were creating a cult following. The most well-known being Greg "Egyptian Lover" Broussard, Tracey "Ice-T" Morrow (who used to dance for the group at the Sports Arena events), who was later a gangsta rap pioneer, and later Mark "DJ Pooh" best known for producing 3 Strikes and Friday 1, 2 & 3 and Bobby "DJ Bobcat" Ervin (Death Row Records, The group name also would change to the Uncle Jam's Army (dropping one "M"in Jamm). The electronic sound of the group was influential on West Coast hip hop, as G-Funk pioneered by Dr. Dre continued the tradition of an electronic sound in hip hop music.

By 1984, Uncle Jam's Army had grown to be the #1 dance and party promoters in Los Angeles selling out venues (standing room only). Alpine Village, Long Beach State, Veteran's Auditorium, L.A., Pasadena, and Santa Monica Convention Centers,The Hollywood Palladium, the Sports Arena were some of the major venues used to entertain the masses.

By 1988 the group disbanded as the music in the industry changed from Fun Rap to Gangster Rap and fights frequently broke-out at the dances. A new era had arrived and violent music was the vice. But Rodger refused to disappear and forged forward with his love of music and started D.J.-ing at Pizazz Night Club in The Marina 1989. In 1990 Charles Alvon joined him splitting duties.By 1991 Pizazz shut the doors and Rodger proceeded in opening his second store: DJ's Records in Pamona.

In 1995 his third store on Vermont and Imperial DJ's Records opened. From there Rodger and Charles Alvon started promoting Function at The Junction Dances for the next 5 years at The Cockatoo Inn, Crown Plaza Hotel, Westin Hotel and The Proud Bird while also promoting annual Uncle Jam's Army Reunions in which Rodger kept alive until his death. The remaining members of Uncles Jam's Army along with Adrienne Clayton (sister) Marcus, Marques Clayton (sons)and Janelle Clayton (daughter) intend to keep the legacy alive with a series of concerts and dances. Stay tuned! Uncle Jam's Army (U.J.A.) Unique Dreams Entertainment 2012 and Beyond

Members

Rodger Clayton, Charles "Alvon" Woods, Arthur(Gid) & Tony Martin, Rodney Gardner (The original core).

Rene Williams (Bleeps),David Storms (Dr. Funkenstein) (1st generation DJ's) Greg "Egyptian Lover" Broussard (The Game Changer),Greg Martin, Dwayne "Muffla" Simon,Leslie Andrews,Duane"Razor"Meadows,Darryl Ellis,Lionel Collins, Keith & Kenneth Morris,Louis and Wesley Hall, Thurman Hilburn, Derrick,Troy,J.R.,Lester,Digi Dave,Delphine (DJ Lady Dell), DJ Pooh, Bobcat, Battlecat, Lil Egypt. The Music People aka DJ4Hire(Reggie Jones, Duke Mc Neely, Eddie, Edwin Vaultz, Lance & Vance Kinney,Clint Mc Cray). Big Coco,Big Dad,Big Daddy,Cold Crush Cris,Joe Cooley,Keith Cooley,Dirty Red, DJ B'LUV,DJ Pookie,DJ Kitt-Kat, Paul "Shadow" Neal,GI Joe,Ichy, Jammin Gemini,Lil Doug,Haley Mack,,Madison Stanley,Chris "The Glove" Taylor,Tracey "D.J.Vanity" Ainsworth

Discography

Singles

• "Dial-a-Freak" (1984), Freak Beat - 12-inch single
• "Dial-a-Freak (10 Minute Remix)" (1984), Dunk Yer Funk - 12-inch single
• "Yes, Yes, Yes" (1984), Freak Beat
• "What's Your Sign" (1985), Freak Beat - 12-inch single
• "The Roach Is On The Wall" (1985), Freak Beat - 12-inch single
• "Naughty Boy" (1986), Freak Beat - 12-inch single

References

1. ^ Gueraseva, Stacy (2005). Def Jam, Inc: Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and the extraordinary story of the world's most influential hip hop label. Random House, Inc., ISBN 9780345468048

External links

• Uncle Jamm's Army at Allmusic