Five On It: November 2008's Essentials

This one is a killer, we covered some serious beats this past month and I've whitled them down to the best of the best for November's edition of Five On It.

We start with a cross-generation party starter: George Clinton's bugged out canine anthem 'Atomic Dog' (which originally appeared on our Halloween post covering 'We Can't Be Stopped' by the Geto Boys). In our second look at Large Professor's production work, we covered Grand Funk Railroad's rock funk break track 'Nothings the Same' from their album 'Closer to Home'. Grand Funk have a bad rep, but they have some serious beats in their back catalog. 'Apache' by the Incredible Bongo Band was covered in an in depth two part post on this blog. 'Apache' is as essential as it gets, you have to get this one if its not part of your DJing arsenal. The J.B.'s 'Pass the Peas' is just one of the J.B.'s breakbeat necessities produced under the Godfather of Soul, James Brown (this break was mentioned on the first part of our look at 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde). In the third part of 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde', we first mentioned Skull Snaps' huge 'It's a New Day', another absolutely critical beat for producers.

The Lowdown:
George Clinton 'Atomic Dog'
from 'Computer Games' (1982) (MP3 not available/CD)
Grand Funk Railroad 'Nothings the Same'
from 'Closer to Home' (1969) (MP3/CD)
Incredible Bongo Band 'Apache'
from 'Bongo Rock' (1973) (MP3/CD)
The J.B.'s 'Pass the Peas'
from 'Food For Thought' (1972) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Skull Snaps 'It's a New Day'
from 'Skull Snaps' (1973) (MP3 not available/Import CD)

BONUS CUTS:
Skull Snaps' self-titled, hard to find album is not limited to 'It's a New Day', it's full of quality samples. A young Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po as Organized Konfusion (with a guest spot from O.C.) rap over Skull Snaps' 'Tresspassin'' on 'Fudge Pudge'.

Producer Profile: Kanye West (Part 3, 2003)

After placing beats on Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint', Kanye West became a sought after producer even before the release of 2004's 'The College Dropout'. Part one of this three part post will cover the beats and samples from Kanye West's 2003 production credits.

West had two beats on Jay-Z's 'Black Album' from 2003, Jay's short-lived retirement farewell address. Kanye's production for 'Encore' samples John Holt's 'I Will' from his album '2000 Volts of Holt'. Another reggae sample appears on Jay-Z's 'Lucifer' via Max Romeo's classic Lee Perry produced 'I Chase the Devil' (covered in depth on a previous post on this blog). West's work with Rocafella was not limited to Jay-Z in 2003, West also had a beat on Freeway's under-appreciated debut album 'Philadelphia Freeway'. The track 'Hear the Song' samples Chic's 'Will You Cry (When You Hear This Song)'.

One of Kanye's biggest production credits in 2003 was for Alicia Key's hit single 'You Don't Know My Name' peaking at #3 on the Billboard 100. The track is cleverly crafted from Main Ingredient's 'Let Me Prove My Love to You' from their 1975 album 'Shame on the World'.

Check back for the second part of our look at Kanye West's production credits of 2003.

The Lowdown:
Jay-Z 'Encore' and 'Lucifer'
from 'Black Album' (2003) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edits: 'Encore' and 'Lucifer'
John Holt 'I Will'
from '2000 Volts of Holt' (1976) (MP3/CD not available)
Max Romeo 'I Chase the Devil'
from 'War Ina Babylon' (1976) (MP3 not available/CD)
Freeway 'Hear the Song'
from 'Philadelphia Freeway' (2003) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'Hear the Song'
Chic 'Will You Cry (When You Hear This Song)'
from 'Risqué' (1979) (MP3/CD)
Alicia Keys 'You Don't Know My Name'
from 'The Diary of Alicia Keys' (2003) (MP3/CD)
Main Ingredient 'Let Me Prove My Love to You'
from 'Shame on the World' (1975) (MP3 not available/Import CD)

BONUS CUT:
The original Jamaican mix of 'I Will' by John Holt'.

Rewind: The Pharcyde 'Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde' (Part 3)

Welcome to the final part of our 3 part arc look at the sample sources of the Pharcyde's 1992 breakthrough album 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde', released on this day in 1992.

The Pharcyde's most memorable single is the classic 'Passin' Me By' which samples the melody of Quincy Jones' cover of 'Summer in the City'. The track also samples 'It's a New Day' by Skull Snaps (breaks don't get more essential than this one, it's unbelievable that over 70 posts into this blog, this is the first mention of 'It's a New Day' - whoa), 'Are You Experienced?' by Jimi Hendrix, Weather Report's '125th Street Congress', and 'The Third Eye' by Roy Ayers from 1976's 'Everyone Loves the Sunshine'. The only track from 'Bizarre Ride' not produced by J-Swift is the single 'Otha Fish', produced by L.A. Jay and SlimKid 3. The track samples Herbie Mann's 'Today' and Marvin Gaye's 'I Want You'-era album track 'Since I had You'. Herbie Mann is sampled again on the Pharcyde's cult favorite 'Pack the Pipe' which uses 'Bijou' from his 'Latin Mann' album. Two other jazz joints lend samples to the track: John Coltrane's 'Autumn Serenade' and the Cannonball Adderley Quintet's 'Exquisition' from the David Axelrod produced album 'The Price You Got to Pay to Be Free' from 1970.

Following the success of their debut album, the Pharcyde began to fall apart. Before the album's completion, J-Swift quarreled with members of the group over production credits and compensation. By their second and final album with their classic lineup, the Pharcyde split with J-Swift altogether opting to work with new producers. After drug problems, Fatlip left the Pharcyde, although they went on to release two more albums in the 2000s without him. In 2008, the group reunited for the Rock the Bells tour.

The Lowdown:
The Pharcyde 'Passin' Me By', 'Otha Fish', and 'Pack the Pipe'
from 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde' (1992) (MP3/CD)
Quincy Jones 'Summer in the City'
from 'You Got it Bad Girl' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Skull Snaps 'It's a New Day'
from 'Skull Snaps' (1973) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Jimi Hendrix 'Are You Experienced?'
from 'Are You Experienced' (1967) (MP3/CD)
Weather Report '125th Street Congress'
from 'Sweetnighter' (1973) (MP3/CD)
Roy Ayers 'The Third Eye'
'Everybody Loves the Sunshine' (1976) (MP3/CD)
Herbie Mann 'Today'
from 'Today!' (1966) (MP3/CD)
Marvin Gaye 'Since I Had You'
from 'I Want You' (1976) (MP3/CD)
Herbie Mann 'Bijou'
from 'Latin Mann' (1966) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
John Coltrane 'Autumn Serenade'
from 'John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman' (1963) (MP3/CD)
Cannonball Adderley Quintet 'Exquisition'
from 'The Price You Got to Pay to Be Free' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)

BONUS CUTS:
Sorry that I don't have a download for Quincy Jones' excellent cover of 'Summer in the City' (very different than 'Summer in the City' by the Lovin' Spoonful, also a floor killer), but I can offer Nightmares on Wax's excellent 'Summer' sampling track 'Nights Interlude'. Get your blend on!

Rewind: The Pharcyde 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde' (Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of our look at 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde'.

'On the DL' from 'Bizarre Ride' samples two tracks from Stanley Cowell 1974 album 'Musa - Ancestral Streams': 'Travelin' Man' and 'Equipoise'. The track also takes a clip from the Meters' 'Struttin'' album track 'Hey! Last Minute'. 'Officer' goes back to JB for two samples: James Brown's 'Funky Drummer' and the J.B.'s 'The Grunt' from 1972's 'Food for Thought'. 'Officer' also samples the Charles Stepney produced 1968 track 'The Mighty Quinn' by Ramsey Lewis from his album 'Maiden Voyage'. The J-Swift produced lead single for 'Bizarre Ride' was the hit 'Ya Mama', which samples Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, and Stephen Stills' 'Seasons of the Witch' from 1968's 'Super Session' album, Young Holt Unlimited's 'Yes We Can Can' and the 'Wattstax' live album track 'I Don't Know What This World is Coming To' by the Stax unit the Soul Children.

Check back for part 3 of our look at 'Bizarre Ride to the Pharcyde'.

The Lowdown:
The Pharcyde 'On the DL', 'Officer', and 'Ya Mama'
from 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde' (1992) (MP3/CD)
Stanley Cowell 'Travelin' Man' and 'Equipoise'
from 'Musa - Ancestral Streams' (1974) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
The Meters 'Hey Last Minute!'
from 'Struttin'' (1969) (MP3/CD)
James Brown 'Funky Drummer'
from 'Funky Drummer' 7" (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
The J.B.'s 'The Grunt'
from 'Food For Thought' (1972) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Ramsey Lewis 'The Mighty Quinn'
from 'Maiden Voyage' (1968) (MP3/Import CD)
Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, and Stephen Stills 'Seasons of the Witch'
from 'Super Session' (1968) (MP3/CD)
Young Holt Unlimited 'Yes We Can Can'
from 'Oh Girl' (1972) (MP3/CD)
The Soul Children 'I Don't Know What this World is Coming To'
from 'Wattstax' (1971) (MP3/CD)

Rewind: The Pharcyde 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde' (Part 1)

In 1992, after only one preceding single, the Pharcyde dropped their highly acclaimed and platinum selling debut album 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde'. This three part arc will review the sample sources used on this landmark album, produced virtually entirely by J-Swift.

The vocal version of '4 Better or 4 Worse' samples a trifecta of excellent breaks: Lou Donaldson's 'Pot Belly' from his 1970 album 'Pretty Things', the Emotion's 'Blind Alley' (a previous break of the month from October 2008's Five on It) and Fred Wesley and the J.B.'s awesome 'Rockin' Funky Watergate' from 1974's 'Breakin' Bread'. The Pharcyde's 'I'm That Type of N----' uses a grip of James Brown classics: 'Maybe the Last Time' (b-side to James' 'Out of Sight' single) and the timeless 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag' plus the J.B.'s 'Pass the Peas' and 'Givin' Up Food for Funk'. The track also samples Sly and the Family Stone's 'Sing a Simple Song' from their breakthrough album 'Stand!'. The Pharcyde's 'Soul Flower' (remix) (a version of their track with labelmates the Brand New Heavies) cuts a sample from the Fatback Band's hit 'Put Your Love (In My Tender Care)'.

Check back for parts 2 and 3 of our look at 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde'.

The Lowdown:
The Pharcyde '4 Better of 4 Worse', 'I'm That Type of N----', and 'Soul Flower' (remix)
from 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde' (1992) (MP3/CD)
Lou Donaldson 'Pot Belly'
from 'Pretty Things' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
The Emotions 'Blind Alley'
from 'Untouched' (1971) (MP3/CD)
Fred Wesley and the J.B.'s 'Rockin' Funky Watergate'
from 'Breakin' Bread' (1974) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
James Brown 'Maybe the Last Time'
from 'Out of Sight' 7" (1964) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
James Brown 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag'
from 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag' (1965) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
The J.B.'s 'Pass the Peas'
from 'Food For Thought' (1972) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
The J.B.'s 'Givin' Up Food for Funk'
from 'Givin' Up Food for Funk' (1972) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Sly and the Family Stone 'Sing a Simple Song'
from 'Stand!' (1969) (MP3/CD)
The Fatback Band 'Put Your Love (in My Tender Care)'
from 'Raising Hell' (1974) (MP3/CD)

The Breaks: Incredible Bongo Band 'Apache' (Part 2)

Welcome to the second of our two part look at the Incredible Bongo Band's 'Apache'.

By the early 90s, 'Apache' was adapted into the genre of drum n' bass. Two landmark uses of the 'Apache' break in drum n' bass tracks is the 20-minute title track of Goldie's 1995 debut album 'Timeless' and the Metalheadz single 'Your Sound' by J Majik. 'Apache' became a widely used sample in the late 90s big beat style that became popular on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1997, Mantronix producer Kurtis Mantronik remixed Future Sound of London's single 'We Have Explosive' using the 'Apache' with devastating results.

In 2002, Salaam Remi flipped 'Apache' for Nas' single 'Made You Look', making the beat sound radically different than previous hip-hop tracks. Three years later, Missy Elliott used the sample on her single 'We Run This' from 'The Cookbook'.

Despite its potential for oversaturation, 'Apache' still sounds as fresh today as it did over three decades ago. The sample will no doubt be the basis for many outstanding hip-hop and dance songs to come.

The Lowdown:
Incredible Bongo Band 'Apache'
from 'Bongo Rock' (1973) (MP3/CD)
Goldie 'Timeless'
from 'Timeless' (1995) (MP3/CD)
J Majik 'Your Sound'
from 'Your Sound 12"' (1995) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Future Sound of London 'We Have Explosive' (Mantronik Remix #1)
from 'We Have Explosive' (1997) (MP3/CD not available)
Nas 'Made You Look'
from 'God's Son' (2002) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'Made You Look'
Missy Elliott 'We Run This'
from 'The Cookbook' (2005) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'We Run This'

The Breaks: Incredible Bongo Band 'Apache' (Part 1)

'Apache' by the Incredible Bongo Band is arguably the most important break in hip-hop music and beyond. In this two post arc, we'll cover the history of 'Apache', it's use in early hip-hop singles, it's reinvention in electronic music, and it's resurgence in hip-hop.

'Apache''s history begins over a decade before the Incredible Bongo Band's version. The song was written by Jerry Lordan and was originally recorded by Bert Weedon, which initially remained shelved. The first notable version of the song is the Shadows' recording of 'Apache', which utilized a new echo chamber and tremolo technique that gave it a distinct sound. As the version by the Shadows gained recognition, Weedon's was released to cash in, but both would be trumped by Jørgen Ingmann's version of 'Apache', which broke the American top 10.



A decade later, Michael Viner began work on a project to score music for the low budget B movie 'The Thing with Two Heads'. The music, billed as Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band, became an unlikely hit and Viner quickly went into the studio to record a full length album. The band, consisting of Viner and studio musicians, created one of the most sampled breaks of all time, not to mention a handful of other amazing tracks on the album 'Bongo Rock'. The long instrumental break in 'Apache' made it a sensation on dance floors and was adopted by early hip-hop DJs like Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa. When hip-hop broke into the mainstream, so did the 'Apache' break.

Perhaps the most notable early use of 'Apache' is the Sugarhill Gang's track 'Apache' from 1981's '8th Wonder'. The track was used again two years later by the West Street Mob, also on the Sugarhill label, for their classic b-boy track 'Break Dance - Electric Boogie'. As the use of samplers increased by the late 80s, so did the use of 'Apache' in hip-hop. Jazzy Jay's 1988 production 'Old School' by Busy Bee used the 'Apache' break, as did the Dust Brothers produced 1988 single 'Know How' by Young MC.

Check back for part 2 of the history of 'Apache', including its adaptation in electronic music and its rebirth in the 2000s.

The Lowdown:
Incredible Bongo Band 'Apache'
from 'Bongo Rock' (1973) (MP3/CD)
The Shadows 'Apache'
from 'Apache' (1960) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Jørgen Ingmann 'Apache'
from 'Apache' (1961) (MP3/CD)
Sugarhill Gang 'Apache'
from '8th Wonder' (1981) (MP3 not available/CD)
West Street Mob 'Break Dance - Electric Boogie'
from 'Break Dance - Electric Boogie' (1983) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Busy Bee 'Old School'
from 'Running Thangs' (1988) (MP3/CD)
Young MC 'Know How'
from 'Stone Cold Rhymin'' (1988) (MP3/CD)

Rewind: Jay-Z 'American Gangster' (Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of our look at the samples used in the making of 'American Gangster'.

Dirty south extraordinaire DJ Toomp lends his production skills for Jay-Z's 'Say Hello', using samples of Tom Brock's 'The Love We Share is the Greatest of Them All' from 1974's 'I Love You More and More'. Chicago's No I.D. (producer for Common and ghost producer for Jermaine Dupri) works alongside Jermaine Dupri on the beat for Jay-Z's 'Success', which samples an rare funk track called 'Funky Thing' (Part 1) by Larry Ellis and the Black Hammer. Dupri and No I.D. sample the Dramatics' 'Fell for You' from 1972's 'A Dramatic Experience' for the 'American Gangster' album track 'Fallin''. The album's first and most successful single (which, still, failed to break the through the top 50 on the Billboard singles chart) is the Neptunes produced 'Blue Magic', which samples En Vogue's 1990 hit single 'Hold On'. Just Blaze closes the album with the album's title track, sampling 'Short Eyes' by Curtis Mayfield from the soundtrack to the movie 'Short Eyes'.

'American Gangster' was highly acclaimed upon its release, especially compared to Jay-Z's shrugworthy return from retirement album 'Kingdom Come'. If internet rumors are to be believed, Jay-Z will drop another album before year's end titled 'Blueprint 3', which will undoubtedly be reviewed once it is out.

The Lowdown:
Jay-Z 'Say Hello', 'Success', 'Fallin'', 'Blue Magic', and 'American Gangster'
from 'American Gangster' (2007) (MP3/CD)
Tom Brock 'The Love We Share is the Greatest of Them All'
from 'I Love You More and More' (1974) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Larry Ellis and the Black Hammer 'Funky Thing' (Part 1)
The Dramatics 'Fell for You'
from 'A Dramatic Experience' (1972) (MP3/CD)
En Vogue 'Hold On'
from 'Born to Sing' (1990) (MP3 not available/CD)
Curtis Mayfield 'Short Eyes'
from 'Short Eyes' (1977) (MP3/CD not available)

Rewind: Jay-Z 'American Gangster' (Part 1)

A concept album based loosely on the themes of Ridley Scott's movie of the same name, Jay-Z's 10th studio album 'American Gangster' debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, has sold over a million copies, and served as a return to Jay-Z street sound from 2006's critical disappointment 'Kingdom Come'. This two post arc will cover the samples used for the album 'American Gangster'.

Jay-Z's 'American Dreaming' is one of the albums many collaborations with P. Diddy and the Hitmen, who served as the production crew for much of the album and lends a soulful sound reminiscent of Jay-Z's early work. 'American Dreaming' samples Marvin Gaye's 'I Want You''Soon I'll Be Loving You Again' and is co-produced by Mario Winans. The Hitmen also handle production for 'No Hook', which samples 'Love Serenade' by Barry White. The album's biggest hit, though not the highest charting single, is 'Roc Boys (and the Winner Is)...'. The track's excellent backing comes from a large sample of Menahan Street Band's 'Make the Road By Walking' which was released only months before 'Roc Boys' and did not appear on an album until this year. The Hitmen dig deep for the beat for 'Party Life' by using Little Beaver's 1974 track 'Get into the Party Life'. Just Blaze again collaborates with Jay-Z on this album by producing the track 'Ignorant S---', utilizing the Isley Brothers' classic 'Between the Sheets' album track ('Between the Sheets' was covered more in depth on September's Five On It blog post).

Check back for part 2 of our look at 'American Gangster'.

The Lowdown:
Jay-Z 'American Dreamin'', 'No Hook', 'Roc Boys (and the Winner Is)...', 'Party Life', 'Ignorant S---'
from 'American Gangster' (2007) (MP3/CD)
Marvin Gaye 'Soon I'll Be Loving You Again'
from 'I Want You' (1976) (MP3/CD)
Barry White 'Love Serenade'
from 'Just Another Way to Say I Love You' (1974) (MP3/CD)
Menahan Street Band 'Make the Road by Walking'
from 'Make the Road by Walking' (2008) (MP3/CD)
Little Beaver 'Get into the Party Life'
from 'Party Down' (1974) (MP3/CD not available)
The Isley Brothers 'Between the Sheets'
from 'Between the Sheets' (1982) (MP3/CD)

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

Welcome to the second part of our look at 'Liquid Swords' by GZA/Genius, released on this day in 1995.

'Liquid Swords''s second single was the RZA produced 'Cold World' and features a fantastic use of the Dramatics' ballad 'In the Rain'. The track also samples Stevie Wonder's 'Hotter than July' album cut 'Rocket Love'. GZA's 'Shadowboxin'', the album's final single, samples Ann Peebles' 'Trouble, Heartaches, and Sadness'. A sample of Three Dog Night appears on GZA's 'Investigatve Reports' by way of their 1974 album 'Hard Labor' and the track 'I'd Be So Happy'. The album's closing track and the only track not produced by the RZA (this track was produced by Wu associate 4th Disciple) is 'B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)' which samples an early Ohio Players track titled 'Our Love Has Died' on their pre-breakthrough album 'Pleasure'.

'Liquid Swords' has, in time, become a platinum selling album and is often cited as being one of the best hip-hop albums of all time and is the high water mark for albums released by Wu-Tang members.

The Lowdown:
GZA/Genius 'Cold World', 'Shadowboxin'', 'Investigatve Reports', and 'B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)'
from 'Liquid Swords' (1995) (MP3/CD)
The Dramatics 'In the Rain'
from 'Whatcha See is Whatcha Get' (1971) (MP3/CD)
Stevie Wonder 'Rocket Love'
from 'Hotter than July' (1980) (MP3/CD)
Ann Peebles 'Trouble, Heartaches, and Sadness'
from 'Straight from the Heart' (1971) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Three Dog Night 'I'd Be So Happy'
from 'Hard Labor' (1974) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
The Ohio Players 'Out Love Has Died'
from 'Pleasure' (1972) (MP3 not available/CD)

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

After gaining underground cred with the rap group All in Together Now with his cousins and later Wu-Tang collaborators RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard, Gary Grice signed a record deal with Cold Chillin' Records and debuted with 1990's 'Words from the Genius' as the Genius. Three years later, the Genius broke out as the GZA on the debut album by the Wu-Tang Clan, 1993's triumphant 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'. GZA's second album would follow in 1995 and would become a hip-hop classic. This two part post will uncover the sample sources of GZA's album 'Liquid Swords'.

The album's lead track and highest charting single (breaking only halfway up the Billboard 100) is 'Liquid Swords'. The RZA produced monster heavily samples Willie Mitchell's 'Groovin'' (as well as 'Mercy Mercy Mercy') and also nicks Al Green's 'That's the Way it Is' from his 1976 album 'Full of Fire'. 'Duel of the Iron Mic' samples 'I'm Afraid the Masquerade is Over' from David Porter's concept album 'Victim of the Joke?' released in 1971 on Stax. 'Living in the World Today' samples an early Bar-Kays track called 'In the Hole' from their album 'Gotta Groove'.

Check back for the second part of our look at 'Liquid Swords'.

The Lowdown:
GZA/Genius 'Liquid Swords', 'Duel of the Iron Mic', and 'Living in the World Today'
from 'Liquid Swords' (1995) (MP3/CD)
Willie Mitchell 'Groovin'' and 'Mercy Mercy Mercy'
from 'Solid Soul' (1969) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Al Green 'That's the Way it is'
from 'Full of Fire' (1976) (MP3/CD)
David Porter 'I'm Afraid the Masquerade is Over'
from 'Victim of the Joke?' (1971) (MP3 not available/ CD)
Bar-Kays 'In the Hole'
from 'Gotta Groove' (1969) (MP3/CD)

BONUS CUT:
It's a new day in America this morning. Good looking Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. Lee Dorsey 'Yes We Can'.

Producer Profile: Large Professor (Part 2, 1993-1999)

Following the success of Main Source's debut album 'Breaking Atoms', Large Professor's production work became sought after and, although there would be long breaks in his work, he'd go on to produce some stunning tracks.

In 1993, he contributed the beat for 'Keep it Rollin'' on A Tribe Called Quest's album 'Midnight Marauders'. The beat is pinned by a sample of Roy Ayer's Ubiquity era track 'Feel Like Making Love' from his 1974 album 'Change Up the Groove'. Large Professor's next high profile work would come on the debut of Nas, who made his debut appearance on 'Breaking Atoms'. Large Professor produced three of 'Illmatic''s tracks including the single 'It Ain't Hard to Tell'. The track contains a drum sample from Kool and the Gang's 'N.T.' and also contains a clever sample of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' album cut 'Human Nature'.

Through 1995 and 1996, Large Pro worked on his solo album titled 'The LP', but it was shelved in 1996 (it was later released as a promo in 2002). This major label limbo led to a brief dead spot in his career with scant production for Common, Organized Konfusion, and a handful of underground acts until the turn of the century. One of those production credits is for X-Ecutioners DJ Rob Swift who tapped Large Professor for his 1999 single 'Dope on Plastic'. 'Dope on Plastic' incorporates samples from Quincy Jones' 'Ironside' and a huge beat from Grand Funk Railroad's surprisingly huge 'Nothings the Same' from 1969's 'Closer to Home'.

Check back for part 3 of Large Professor's producer profile where we'll cover his production credits from after the year 2000.

The Lowdown:
A Tribe Called Quest 'Keep it Rollin''
from 'Midnight Marauders' (1993) (MP3/CD)
Roy Ayers Ubiquity 'Feel Like Making Love'
from 'Change Up the Groove' (1974) (MP3 not available/CD)
Nas 'It Ain't Hard to Tell'
from 'Illmatic' (1994) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'It Ain't Hard to Tell'
Kool and the Gang 'N.T.'
from 'Live at PJ's' (1971) (MP3/CD not available)
Michael Jackson 'Human Nature'
from 'Thriller' (1982) (MP3/CD)
Rob Swift 'Dope on Plastic'
from 'Dope on Plastic' (1999) (MP3/CD not available)
Quincy Jones 'Ironside'
from 'Smackwater Jack' (1970) (MP3/Import CD)
Grand Funk Railroad 'Nothings the Same'
from 'Closer to Home' (1969) (MP3/CD)

BONUS CUTS:
Get your remix on: Rob Swift's 'Dope on Plastic' (Instrumental) and 'Dope on Plastic' (Acapella).