Tag Archives: DJ Halo

The Criminal Minds (TCM) Part Two

Posted on by
2

Welcome to the second part of the series of articles documenting the musical achievements of Milton Keynes\Buckingham Hip Hop collective The Criminal Minds. In the second chapter we will focus on the period between 1991-1992 and the groups transition from a Hip Hop collective in to a pioneering Rave\Hardcore crew. To re-visit part one of the article please click on the below link: 

The Criminal Minds, 1992.

By 1991 TCM had firmly established themselves as a local musical force and were busy performing and promoting their debut EP “Guilty as charged“. The TCM live shows consisted of a mixture of pre released materiel but also featured new recordings and remixes with a greater presence from rap vocalists CMD and Safe D who together with MC Iceski united to form TCM‘s vocal line up. In a previous interview MC Iceski recalls one of the groups early live shows in Campbell park, Milton Keynes: Continue reading →

Gunstar Hero’s

Posted on by
Reply

Gunstar Hero’s was a Jungle/Drum & Bass project that was put together by DJ Trail, DJ Halo and Adam from Redline Records. The collective produced and independently released a 12″ single in 1994 that consisted of three tracks:

  • Did you love me?
  • Come together
  • A vision (Section 12 mix).

The record was distributed via the Redline record shop’s network that was based around an independent dance music specialist located in Bicester town center during the mid 1990s.

Gunstar Hero’s EP – Redline Records, 1994.

Previous to the formation of the Gunstar Hero’s project DJ Halo had established and been an integral member of acclaimed Hip Hop/Dance crew The Criminal Minds. DJ Trail also had a background in the local music scene as a pioneering Jungle DJ and had previously helped established Buckingham Hip Hop collective UnderCover Prophecy. Continue reading →

The Criminal Minds (TCM) Part One

Posted on by
Reply

The Criminal Minds (TCM) are one of a handful of pioneering Hip Hop crews from the UK that formed outside of London or any other major UK city. TCM‘s origins date back to a period during the early 1980s when UK citizens started to become participants in Hip Hop culture as it spread from the USA to the world. By the late 1980s TCM along with several other generational peers were pioneering a unique form of UK Hip Hop music that would later be defined as Britcore.

The Criminal Minds sketch – Claire Hawes, Mid 1990s.

By 1992 TCM evolved with the UK music scene and pioneered several Hardcore/Drum & Bass recordings releasing music on a selection of established record labels including Labello Blanco and White House. In the below series of articles we aim to document the history of the collective as well as pay homage to their achievements in both music and Hip Hop culture. Part one of the series will focus on the time period between 1985-1990 and conclude with the groups first official release “Guilty as charged“. Continue reading →