Collection: Electro

Electro (also called electro-funk) is an electronic music style that emerged in New York in the early 1980s. Its trademarks are the Roland TR-808 drum machine, synthesizer basslines, vocoder vocals and rap. Its starting point is considered to be "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force from 1982, which fused Kraftwerk's synthesizer sound with funk and hip-hop. Here you will find second-hand electro records – mainly 12″ maxi singles and LPs from the 1980s, plus newer electro releases. Every record is graded to Goldmine standard, and the images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale.

The most important electro artists

• Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force – "Planet Rock" (1982) and "Looking For The Perfect Beat" laid the foundation of the genre.
• Newcleus – the Brooklyn band became known in 1983 with "Jam On It". In our shop: Newcleus – Space Is The Place.
• Paul Hardcastle – the London producer took electro into the charts with "Rain Forest" (1984) and "19" (1985, UK No. 1). In our shop: Paul Hardcastle – 19 (12″).
• Kraftwerk – the Düsseldorf group is the genre's most important role model; "Computer World" (1981) became an electro blueprint in New York. In our shop: Kraftwerk – Computer World.
• Herbie Hancock – with "Rockit" (1983) the jazz pianist brought scratching and electro to the radio. In our shop: Herbie Hancock – Sound-System.
• Mantronix – from 1985 Kurtis Mantronik combined hard 808 beats with rap. In our shop: Mantronix – Got To Have Your Love.
• Egyptian Lover, Cybotron, Jonzun Crew, Break Machine, Malcolm McLaren – further defining names from Los Angeles, Detroit, Boston and London.

Buying electro on vinyl: what to look for

• 12″ maxi or LP: most electro classics first came out as 12″ maxi singles, often with instrumental and dub versions for DJs.
• Original or reissue: label, catalogue number and year are listed for every record under "Pressing details".
• Condition: we grade media (record) and cover separately to Goldmine standard. What NM-, VG+ or VG mean is explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

More electronic music can be found under Electronic, Techno, Synth-Pop and 12″ Maxi Singles.

FAQ about electro

What is electro music?
Electro is electronic dance music from the early 1980s with broken, funky drum machine rhythms (usually the Roland TR-808), synthesizers, vocoder and rap. The style combines the sound of Kraftwerk with funk and early hip-hop.

What is the difference between electro and techno?
Electro is based on broken, syncopated breakbeats and has its roots in funk and hip-hop. Techno mostly uses a straight 4/4 kick drum. Electro is, however, a forerunner: Juan Atkins released electro with Cybotron before he shaped Detroit techno.

Which electro records are considered classics?
Among the best known are "Planet Rock" (Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force, 1982), "Jam On It" (Newcleus, 1983), "Rockit" (Herbie Hancock, 1983), "Clear" (Cybotron, 1983), "Egypt, Egypt" (Egyptian Lover, 1984) and "Rain Forest" (Paul Hardcastle, 1984).

Where can I buy electro records in Bonn?
Devinylhunter-Records is an online record shop from Bonn. You order online and can collect your order by arrangement at Römerplatz in Bonn-Bad Godesberg, or have it delivered.

How much is shipping?
Shipping within Germany costs €5.50 and is free from an order value of €99. We also ship to many EU countries.