Rewind: Wu-tang Clan 'Enter the Wu-Tang' (Part 1)

Following a couple early singles by GZA (The Genius) and RZA (aka Prince Rakeem) and a self-released single, the Wu-Tang Clan signed to a major label deal and released one of hip-hop's classics in 1993: 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'. This two part post will cover the sample sources of the Wu's debut album.

The opening track 'Bring Da Ruckus' uses one of RZA's go to drum samples throughout the album: Melvin Bliss' break-fueled freak out 'Synthetic Substitution'. ODB's first appearance comes in full style on the track 'Shame on a N----' which samples both Thelonius Monk's cover of Duke Ellington's 'Black and Tan Fantasy' and the break from Syl Johnson's 'Different Strokes'. 'Clan in Da Front' uses the 'Synthetic Substitution' break with a sample of New Birth's 'Honey Bee'.



The Wu's posse cut 'Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber' samples Lonnie Smith's 'Spinning Wheel' from his 1970 album 'Drives'. RZA gets a hand in production from 4th Disciple for the single 'Can it Be All So Simple'. 'Simple' samples Gladys Knight and the Pips' 1974 cut 'The Way We Were / Try to Remember' and the beat from Labi Siffre's 'I Got The (Blues)' from his 1975 album 'Remember My Song'.

Check back for the second part to our look at 'Enter the Wu-Tang'.

The Lowdown:
Wu-Tang Clan 'Bring Da Ruckus', 'Shame on a N----', 'Clan in Da Front', 'Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber', and 'Can It Be All So Simple'
from 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' (1993) (MP3/CD)
Melvin Bliss 'Synthetic Substitution'
from 'Reward' 7" (1973) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Thelonius Monk 'Black and Tan Fantasy'
from 'Plays Duke Ellington' (1955) (MP3/CD)
Syl Johnson 'Different Strokes'
from 'Is It Because I'm Black?' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
New Birth 'Honey Bee'
from 'It Ain't No Big Thing But It's Growing' (1971) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Lonnie Smith 'Spinning Wheel'
from 'Drives' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Gladys Knight and the Pips 'The Way We Were / Try to Remember'
from 'I Feel a Song' (1974) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Labi Siffre 'I Got the (Blues)'
from 'Remember My Song' (1975) (MP3/Import CD)

Related Posts:
Rewind: GZA/Genius 'Liquid Swords' (Part 1)
Rewind: GZA/Genius 'Liquid Swords' (Part 2)

Rewind: UGK 'Underground Kingz' (Part 1)

UGK's 2007 album 'Underground Kingz' is a mix of triumph and tragedy. The double disc album contained their highest charting single to date, an instant classic, but the album and breakthrough single were followed by the untimely death of UGK's Pimp C less than half a year later. This two part post will cover the sample basis of the seventh album by one of Texas' finest rap groups.

The album's undeniably hot hit single is the DJ Paul and Juicy J (of Three 6 Mafia fame) produced 'Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)', a lyrical collaboration between UGK and Outkast. Three 6's team samples Willie Hutch's soundtrack for the film 'The Mack' (yet again) for the track's soul sample: 'I Choose You'. Along with Three 6's own 'Stay Fly', they almost cast ownership on the ability to remake Willie Hutch's tracks into new chunks of chart gold. Though a modest hit (only cracking the Billboard 100 singles chart), the track is a true underground anthem.

Pimp C samples Latimore's 'Let's Straighten It Out' aptly for the vitriolic 'Quit Hatin' the South' which ramps up the threats of physical violence to Mobb Deep levels. 'How Long Can it Last' utilizes a sample from the relatively obscure track 'Something in the Past' by the 80s unit One Way along with Al Hudson. The MoMo produced track 'Two Type of B----es' features a guest spot from UK emcee Dizzee Rascal and flips a sample from Gladys Knight and the Pips' 1973 track 'Daddy Could Swear, I Declare'.

Check back for part two of our look at 'Underground Kingz'.

The Lowdown:
UGK 'Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)', 'Quit Hatin' the South', 'How Long Can it Last', and 'Two Type of B----es'
from 'Underground Kingz' (2007) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edits: 'Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)', 'Quit Hatin' the South', 'How Long Can it Last', and 'Two Type of B----es'
Willie Hutch 'I Choose You'
from 'The Mack' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD)
Latimore 'Let's Straighten it Out'
from 'More, More, More' (1974) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
One Way Featuring Al Hudson 'Something in the Past'
from 'One Way Featuring Al Hudson' (1980) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Gladys Knight and the Pips 'Daddy Could Swear, I Declare'
from 'Neither One of Us' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD not available)