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)