Watch Dog

Originally released in 1979, Watch Dog featured Ann Winley on vocals accompanied by the Harlem Underground Band, the house ensemble associated with Paul Winley Records in New York. Written by Paul Winley and produced by Ann Winley Productions, the recording shared its instrumental backing with Rhymin' and Rappin' by Paulette and Tanya Winley. Issued on Paul Winley Records as the B-side of Rhymin' and Rappin', Watch Dog connected the label's established rhythm-driven recordings with the emerging New York hip-hop scene. Its extended instrumental groove and Ann Winley's vocal performance accompanied one of the earliest commercially released rap records featuring female performers. Watch Dog became part of the historical catalogue of Paul Winley Records, whose independent releases documented the transition from 1970s dance music to early recorded hip-hop. Its inclusion in the Super Disco Brake's compilation series and the 2001 collection Death Mix: The Best of Paul Winley Records helped preserve the recording for DJs, collectors and historians of early New York dance music.