For the 1980s TV show, see Sound Unlimited (TV show).

Sound Unlimited, formerly known as Sound Unlimited Posse and Westside Posse, were an Australian hip hop group from Sydney, Australia that was known for being the first Australian hip hop act signed to a major label (Sony BMG) during the 1990s. The band's members were: Rosano (El Assassin) and Tina Martinez (who were brother and sister), MC Kode Blue and Vlad DJ BTL

History

Westside Posse originated from the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia in the Burwood subdivision in 1983. Their first semi-successful album, called Down Under by Law, was released by Virgin Records in 1988. Later in 1989 the group would become the Sound Unlimited Posse.

The group had members of Russian and mixed Spanish and Filipino origin and released several singles from an album called "A Postcard from the Edge of the Underside", among them "Kickin' to the Undersound", "One More From The City" and "Saturday"."A Postcard from the Edge of the Underside" was the only Australian rap album to be released by a major label (Columbia Sony) in the 1990s. This "breakthrough recording deal" was negotiated with the help of Public Enemy.

The group's origins in Sydney's western suburbs impacted the music they produced. The western suburbs of Sydney are "traditionally regarded as working-class, underprivileged and crime-ridden," and have substantial immigrant communities. These suburbs have significantly less access to the cultural and social capital of those in more affluent, serviced suburbs, creating space for a different cultural form, that of underground hip-hop. Sound Unlimited publicly declares their underground status in their album title, "A Postcard from the Edge of the Under-side.

Despite major label support, the group initially received some criticism from the Australian hip hop community as their music was said to be "slick and heavily instrumental" and also because of claims by the band to represent Sydney Hip Hop. They have contributed to the Australian Hip Hop scene due to supporting several other bands. The group supported acts such as Public Enemy, New Kids on the Block and De La Soul during their Australian tours, including opening for Public Enemy during their 1992 Australian tour. They also performed at the Big Day Out Music Festival.

The group split up in 1994, with Rosano and Tina forming the UK-based acid jazz band Renegade Funktrain with Tina's husband, Derek Antunes (a former drummer for New Kids on the Block's touring band).

Discography

	Album Information	Track Listing
Down Under By Law	Released: 1989 Label: Virgin Records Australia Format: ???? Genre: Hip Hop	A1 Pull the Trigger Other tracks unknown
Peace By Piece	Released: 1990 Label: CBS Records Australia Format: Vinyl, 12" Genre: Hip Hop	A1 Peace By Piece (By Piece Mix) B1 Suicede B2 Peace By Piece
Unity	Released: 1991 Label: CBS Records Australia Format: Vinyl, 12" Genre: Hip Hop	A1 Unity (Escalator Mix) B1 Paradise Lost B2 Unity (7 Inch Mix) B3 Paradise Lost (Instrumental)
Kickin' To The Undersound	Released: 1992 Label: CBS Records Australia Format: Vinyl, LP Genre: Hip Hop	A1 Kickin' To The Undersound (12" Extended Mix) B1 Contact B2 Kickin' To The Undersound
A Postcard From The Edge Of The Under-Side	Released: 1992 Label: CBS Records Australia Format: Vinyl, LP Genre: Hip Hop	A1 Sharks And Rodents A2 Saturday Night A3 Unity A4 The Knowledge, The Power A5 One More From The City B1 New Beginning B2 Sunshine B3 Like I Love You B4 Vlad's Groove B5 Tales From The Westside B6 Paradise Lost
Saturday Night	Released: 1992 Label: CBS Records Australia Format: Vinyl, LP Genre: Electronic	1. Saturday Night (7" Edit) - 4:06 2. Saturday Night (After Dark Edit) - 5:26 3. Tomayto Tomahto - 4:30 4. Saturday Night (Morning After Edit) - 5:49

External links

• Sound Unlimited Posse artist profile on Discogs

References