Burning The Ground Exclusive
Remembering Rob Base.
“Turn It Out (Go Base)” was the first single taken from Rob Base’s 1989 solo album The Incredible Base, released on Profile Records. Coming off the huge success of It Takes Two with DJ E-Z Rock, Rob Base had already left a permanent mark on late 80s hip-hop and dance floors everywhere. That record was one of those moments where rap, club music, and pop culture all crashed into each other in the best way possible.
By the time “Turn It Out (Go Base)” arrived, expectations were high. How do you follow a monster like “It Takes Two”? That is never an easy job. Instead of trying to remake that record note-for-note, Rob came back with another party-ready track built for movement. It has that late 80s Profile Records punch, big drums, plenty of call-and-response energy, and the kind of groove that sounds right at home on a 12-inch single.
The Incredible Base was released in November 1989 and became Rob Base’s only solo studio album. While it did not match the massive success of It Takes Two, the LP still performed well, reaching #50 on the Billboard 200 and #20 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was also certified Gold in the United States.
Although “Turn It Out (Go Base)” did not reach the Billboard Hot 100, it did find action on several genre charts. The single peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, #16 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and #23 on the Dance Club Songs chart. It also reached #88 on the UK Singles Chart.
That feels about right. Some records are made for pop radio. Others are made for the floor. This one lands firmly in the second camp.
There is also something bittersweet about hearing it now after Rob Base’s passing. He had one of those voices that could fill a room without trying too hard. Confident, direct, and full of fun. He did not sound like he was asking the party to start. He sounded like he had already walked in and flipped the switch.
“Turn It Out (Go Base)” may not be the first song most people reach for when they think of Rob Base, but that is part of what makes revisiting it so much fun. It is a reminder that there was more to his catalog than one giant anthem. For collectors, DJs, and fans of late 80s hip-hop 12-inch singles, this is a nice piece of the story.
A quick note about the lyrics: the track does include the word “retard,” a term that was used more casually in 1989 but is now considered offensive and hurtful. The record is presented here as originally released, but I did not want to ignore that the word carries a much different weight today.
Rest in peace, Rob Base. Thanks for helping make the dance floor louder, happier, and a lot more fun.
SIDE A:
Turn It Out (Go Base) (Sky King Remix) 8:02
Engineer [Remix] – Rob Paustian
Producer [Additional Production], Remix, Edited By – Gail “Sky” King
Programmed By [Additional Keyboard Programming] – Joe Moskowitz*
Turn It Out (Go Base) (Percapella) 3:06
SIDE B:
Turn It Out (Go Base) (Sky King Dub) 6:34
Engineer [Remix] – Rob Paustian
Producer [Additional Production], Remix, Edited By – Gail “Sky” King
Programmed By [Additional Keyboard Programming] – Joe Moskowitz*
Turn It Out (Go Base) (Album Version) 5:31
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart Performance – Rob Base: Turn It Out (Go Base) (1989) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot Rap Singles | #4 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | #16 |
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | #23 |
| UK Singles Chart | #88 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Profile Records – PRO-7275
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Breakbeat, Hip-House, Electro
CREDITS:
- Executive-Producer – William Hamilton
- Lacquer Cut By – HW*
- Mastered By – Howie Weinberg
- Photography By – Chris Carroll (4)
- Producer – Rob Base, William Hamilton
- Written-By – R. Ginyard*
NOTES:
Executive produced for World to World Records, Inc.
Recorded at Hillside Sound Studio, Englewood, New Jersey.
Tracks A1 & B1 additionally produced, remixed and edited for In The Spin Productions.
Tracks A1 & B1 remixes engineered at Shakedown Sound, N.Y.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
PLEASE READ
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Password: burningtheground
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