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On August 22, 1994, one of trip-hop's most genre-defining albums was released: Portishead's 'Dummy'. The trio is comprised of icy, torch-song vocalist Beth Gibbons, guitarist Adrian Utley, and producer Geoff Barrow (who had previously worked with the Wild Bunch collective and trip-hop peers Massive Attack). Following a self-produced short film titled 'To Kill a Dead Man', Portishead was signed and 'Dummy' was released.
One of Portishead's most pronounced influences and most sampled artists is the recently deceased Isaac Hayes (rest in peace). Portishead's smash single 'Glory Box' features a slinking string sample from Hayes' 'Ike's Rap II' from his double album 'Black Moses'. Additionally, Portishead's 'Wandering Star' samples another track from 'Black Moses', the excellent 'Going in Circles'. 'Wandering Star' also samples the song 'Magic Mountain' by Eric Burdon and War. The album cut 'Strangers' takes it's gloom from 'Elegant People', a track from Weather Report's 1976 album 'Black Market'.
Portishead followed with a self-titled album in 1997 and their third album (titled 'Third') in 2008. Though their sound has moved away from sample usage, it remains their signature style.
The Lowdown:
Portishead 'Glory Box', 'Wandering Star', and 'Strangers'
from 'Dummy' (1994) (MP3/CD)
Isaac Hayes 'Ike's Rap II / Help Me Love' and 'Going in Circles'
from 'Black Moses' (1973) (MP3/CD)
Eric Burdon and War 'Magic Mountain'
from 'Love is All Around' (1975) (MP3/CD)
Weather Report 'Elegant People'
from 'Black Market' (1976) (MP3/CD)
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