The 20th Century Steel Band has its humble beginnings as a working band on the Baileys Circuit, however 1975 saw the band record and release their debut album ‘Warm Heart, Cold Steel’. This would prove to be a landmark album, featuring the track ‘Heaven & Hell is on Earth’ which would go on to be an infamous addition to the world of sampling, long after the group disbanded following the dissolution of their record label, United Artists. ‘Heaven & Hell is on Earth’ has been a firm favourite since its release as a sample in 1986. The ‘Stop the Violence’ movement were the first, but by no means last to sample for the track ‘Self Destruction’ of which all proceeds went to the National Urban League. Having become a regular on the sampling circuit, the track has been used by artists such as Salt-N-Pepa, Xzibit, Anonymous (ft Eminem), the Black Eyed Peas on their debut album ‘Behind the Front’, The Jungle Brothers and LL Cool J (Featuring in the film ‘Take the Lead’, starring Antonio Banderas). Perhaps the most famous of all tracks to sample ‘Heaven & Hell is on Earth’ is ‘Jenny from the Block’ by Jennifer Lopez (This is me …Then).

''TV competition pop sensations aren't a 21st century phenomenon y'know. Long before Simon Cowell and co were calling the prime - time shots, Britian's brilliantly named 20th Century Steel Band made their breakthrough on the popular talent show New Faces. The album is definitely a kitsch curiosity (behold the afros and snazzy suits on the sleeve!), but its also an excellent collection of innovatively arranged disco-calypso covers, sweeping from the theme from shaft to soca anthem Endless Vibrations, plus fiery originals such as Heaven & Hell (widely sampled bv modern Hip Hops acts). Anyone who's enjoyed Senor Coconut's quirky covers will love this, and take on Barry White's instrumental Love's Theme is a fabulous highlight. Its worth reclaiming these steely dudes as household names. '' Metro 30/11/09

Tracklisting:
12" EP:
A1 - Heaven & Hell 7" edit
A2 - Land of a Thousand Dancers
B1 - Heaven & Hell original
B2 - Papa was a Rolling Stone