by Cyclone Wehner

When the Bristol-based DJ John Stapleton brought out the first "Dope On Plastic" compile on the React label in the early 90s, he had no idea that the series would go on to enjoy cult status, let alone such an enviable longevity. Indeed, he is now up to "Dope 6".

Stapleton had been DJing for a while, playing a cross-section of jazz, hip-hop and breakbeat, when he came up with a concept for a compilation of his favourite vibes. Luckily he knew a rep at the techno-oriented React label who could envisage a market for something as leftfield as "Dope". By way of a tribute to his hip-hop roots, Stapleton named the comp after an old 80s record that came out on the Tommy Boy label. 'When I did the first one I was kinda hoping it would do well and it would take off,' Stapleton reflects, 'but I never thought we'd get this far. But I guess I've been doing the right thing.' John plans to stick with the series for as long as there is the demand and he can still unearth dope tracks. 'People ask me when the next album is coming out and all that, so I think in some ways they provide a service.'

The series has evolved as break-driven music takes off into new directions. The early volumes of "Dope" presaged Bristol's trip-hop movement. And somehow each successive instalment has likewise managed to pre-empt the next big thing -- from big beat to the nu skool breaks explosion. "Dope 4" featured Blueboy's "Remember Me" and DJ Kool's "Let Me Clear My Throat" months before they blew up on the charts. And "Dope 5" included a track entitled "B-Boy Stance" (featuring Tenor Fly) by the then unfamiliar UK retro-nuevo hip-hoppers, the Freestylers.

Stapleton is pleased to see the Freestylers now get their props from the media, but remains at a loss to explain why they haven't yet enjoyed a mega hit in their native Britain. 'They've got just that right pop edge to what they do without being crass and totally commercial.' In fact, the current "Dope" presents a new joint from the moonlighting Freestyler Matt Cantor. This time, The Freska All-Stars track, "Get Fresh", is exclusive to the comp.

The latest volume, "Dope 6", also contains streetwise cuts by the likes of Jadell, Slick Sixty (from Bristol's Cup Of Tea stable, with a mix by Lionrocker Justin Robertson), The Maxwell Implosion, Kurtis Mantronik ("Push Yer Hands Up", remixed by DeeJay Punk-Roc) and Shut Up + Dance.

Overall, Stapleton is much happier with this volume than its predecessor. 'To be honest, I think number five lost it,' he says candidly. 'This one is back on track.'

Stapleton himself tends to like gathering compilations of dance music -- rattling off any number of obscure imprints specialising in hip-hop, soul, reggae and jungle sets. 'There are compilations that come out every week that are great!,' he enthuses. Is the compiler aware of the successful "Dope" concept being emulated, or even ripped off, by others? 'It is interesting that around the time of numbers 2 and 3 there seemed to be a lot of trip-hop/big beat compilations around, but they all seem to be fading away again now, which is quite strange ... Maybe that shows that the "Dope On Plastics" have got the longevity -- or maybe we just got in first and people now recognise the name.'

Yet Stapleton is keen to diversify -- he wants to be known as more than just the dude behind the "Dope" compilations. In the past he has worked under the names of McMurdo Sound and The Hidden Chipsters. Nevertheless, the latter has been put on indefinite hold with Stapleton's two studio partners going AWOL. Ian Dart has been busy with his group Crustacean, who are signed to Jive. And then Neil Davidge was recruited some time ago to produce Massive Attack's "Mezzanine" album. Davidge is at present tied up with various other projects coming out on the group's label, Melankolic. He is also producing a new album for former Cocteau Twin Liz Fraser, now a Bristol resident.

And so Stapleton is looking to develop his own label, Blow Pop (named after the club he runs in Bristol), which, he notes, 'will be like an adjunct to the "Dope" [compilations].' He intends to release hip-hop, breakbeat, big beat and even jump-up jungle. Stapleton has already lined up a few acts for Blow Pop from both the UK and Germany (among them Bobby Dupea and The Mack, whose eccentric tracks are featured on "Dope 6"), with UK distribution to be handled by Vital (which also distributes React). 'The basic vision for the label is a kind of continuation of the "Dope On Plastic" theme -- that is, if it rocks, I'm gonna put it out!,' he offers.

During his visit to Australia, Stapleton regularly frequented second hand stores looking for old Australian music from the 60s and 70s, which he says you can not get in the UK at all. Stapleton was especially keen to find an early album by Marcia Hines -- "Hines Shines".

Punters can always expect the deckmaster to play a varied set with breakbeat, jungle, hip-hop, French house, old reggae, and, most intriguingly, his soul version of The Beatles' "Dear Prudence" in the mix. That is, he will spin every style, except for one. 'I won't play a single techno record,' Stapleton laughs. 'I don't like techno.'

"Dope On Plastic 6" is out through Dancenet/Mds.