Bonzo Goes to Washington, Five Minutes (12" single)

This 1984 single combines two prominent trends of mid-80s: exploration of primitive samplers (see Dominatrix or Paul Hardcastle) and the use of found footage for subversive effect (early Negativland or Culturcide). A year after Keith LeBlanc reworked Malcolm X for the "No Sell Out" 12", bassists Bootsy Collins and Jerry Harrison teamed up as Bonzo Goes to Washington. "Five Minutes" uses Ronald Reagan's speech about outlawing Russia forever ("We begin bombing in five minutes") as its only source for vocals—they're sped up and slowed down and often retriggered (such as "b-b-b-b-bombing"). The terrifying thought of the President of the United States acting as Dr. Strangelove is impossible to miss when repeated over 2 sides for 12+ minutes, with propulsive dance beats in the background.