Step Off (Reissue) (Limited Neon Orange Vinyl LP)

One of the most sampled groups in history, South Bronx legends ESG have enjoyed three distinct waves of their career. The first, in the early 80s, gifted us their iconic early work, while their early 2000s revival gave us these two extraordinary comeback records. 2002's Step Off and 2006's Keep On Moving continued the funk-fuelled, minimal bass magic we'd come to know and love them for. The third era of ESG is right now, as new generations of fans come to discover them, so it's perfect timing to have these two records reissued, thanks to Fire Records! - Flying Out

Reissue of their comeback album that was originally on Soul Jazz. Eleven years between LPs, and yet Step Off picked up exactly where ESG left off, neither unnecessarily updating their signature sound nor retracing over ground they previously staked out. Recording for Soul Jazz, the label whose 2000 retrospective A South Bronx Story reclaimed the group's austere, remote grooves from the clutches of sampleheads, ESG (joined here by second-generation Scroggins girls Chistelle on guitar and Nicole on bass) still loom ahead of the curve - subtle refinements like Renee's now-mature and oh-so-sly vocals result in music that is more defiant and confident than ever before. This is still funk with an alien other worldliness the likes of which George Clinton never envisioned, stripped to its barest essentials for maximum impact.

A major influence on hip-hop, dance music, and dance-punk, fitting right in with New York City’s arty downtown scene and the UK’s vibrant post-punk explosion.” Pitchfork

Tracklist:

1. Be Good to Me
2. Talk It
3. It's Not Me
4. Six Pack
5. Step Off
6. Sensual Intentions
7. My Street