Mind Control (The Danmass Remixes)

“Planet Rock” (1982) lifted “Trans-Europe Express” and “Numbers” wholesale from Kraftwerk — Kraftwerk later sued and won — and in doing so made the connection that joined European machine music to the Bronx. Afrika Bambaataa heard what Kraftwerk was doing with rhythm machines and sequencers and decided it was the sound he was looking for. The result became the foundational document of electro.

Juan Atkins of Cybotron heard “Planet Rock” in Detroit, decided his own work was outclassed, and resolved to push further into machine funk. By 1985 he was recording as Model 500. The chain: Kraftwerk → “Planet Rock” → Cybotron → Belleville Three → Detroit techno → Berlin. Bambaataa is the link in the middle, the moment hip-hop and electronic music became blood relatives. This record holds that moment.