Burning The Ground Exclusive
🧛‍♂️ “Let’s all go to the crypt where the cool ghouls hang!”
In 1992, the wisecracking host of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt decided to take his gruesome groove to the dance floor with “The Crypt Jam.” Voiced by John Kassir in character as the delightfully demented Crypt Keeper, the single was released on Big Screen Records and both written and produced by Chuckii Booker, the multi-talented R&B artist best known for his hits “Turned Away” and “Games.”
Booker’s production gives “The Crypt Jam” a slick early-’90s new jack swing feel—thick, punchy beats, funky synth bass, and layers of spooky samples. What could have been a mere novelty track is instead surprisingly danceable and well-crafted, thanks to Booker’s polished touch.
The Crypt Keeper’s signature cackles, graveyard puns, and horror humor are all here in full force—making it a fun, campy club track that bridges the gap between horror fandom and early ’90s dance culture.
The music video, featuring the Crypt Keeper rapping, dancing, and surrounded by creepy party guests, aired on MTV and was included on various Tales from the Crypt home video releases. It’s gloriously over-the-top: part Halloween special, part hip-hop parody, and pure early-’90s entertainment.
Though “The Crypt Jam” didn’t chart, it found an afterlife as a Halloween cult favorite. Fans of Booker’s production can easily hear his rhythmic fingerprints throughout, turning the Crypt Keeper’s macabre humor into something that could have haunted any club floor in 1992.
đź’€ Fun Fact:
Chuckii Booker’s involvement makes this one of the rare novelty singles tied to a TV character that actually carries legitimate R&B and dance credentials. Booker handled everything from songwriting to production, giving the track a professional polish that sets it apart from most TV tie-ins of the era.
🕸️ For this post, I created custom sleeve artwork to give this undead dance floor classic the proper cover it never had. Inspired by vintage Tales from the Crypt comic art and early-’90s horror design, it captures the ghoulish fun and funky energy of The Crypt Jam.
Even after three decades, this spooky groove proves that when it comes to beats from beyond the grave, nobody does it deader than the Crypt Keeper.
SIDE A:
The Crypt Jam (Radio Edit) 4:00
The Crypt Jam (Album Version) 4:31
Scales From The Crypt (Club Mix) 7:08
SIDE B:
The Crypt Jam (TV Mix) 4:30
The Crypt Jam (A Cappella Crypt Keeper Mix) 3:46
The Crypt Jam (Fat Instrumental Mix) 3:46
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Big Screen Records – PRO-A-5577
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 â…“ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1992
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: RnB/Swing, Pop Rap, Horror Rock
CREDITS:
- Lacquer Cut By – M.M*
- Mixed By – Rob Chiarelli
- Producer, Written-By – Chuckii Booker
NOTES:
Custom artwork: DjPaulT
PROMOTION ONLY.
NOT FOR SALE.
Performed By The Crypt Keeper (John Kassir)
LP Version from the Big Screen Records album
ORIGINAL MUSIC FROM TALES FROM THE CRYPT
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:Â Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: 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
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.
It’s very spooky on Halloween night.