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Today marks the one year anniversary of the start of this blog. Thanks to all the readers and commenters who have been dropping by and dropping knowledge. As we start into our second year, we want to know what you think - what albums, tracks, producers, and artists would you like to see covered in future posts? We covered some outstanding stuff in year one, but we are far from depleted - year two is set to have some excellent albums and, of course, some excellent breaks. Keep it locked!
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Welcome to March's Five On It: the top five breaks we mentioned over the last month for your downloading ease.
On our review of Scarface's debut album 'Mr. Scarface is Back', we mentioned the rarer break 'Sexy Coffee Pot' by Tony Alvon and the Belairs. Check out the breakdown two-thirds of the way into this one - it's a breakbeat bonanza for producers. In our first look at Madlib and MF Doom's 'Madvillainy', the Dramatics slo-mo 'In the Rain' from 'Whatcha See is Whatcha Get' was mentioned - a classic Volt/Stax side. In the second part of our look at 'Madvillainy' we mentioned 'PSK (What Does It Mean)' by Schoolly D. 'PSK' is the first classic hip-hop break to make it to the Five On It list, but its echoey drum machine boom bap is necessary for producers and DJs. During our exhaustive look at 'I Want You' by Marvin Gaye, we mentioned the often sampled single 'After the Dance'. Finally, during our look at the Wu's debut album 'Enter the Wu-Tang', we mentioned the essential breakbeat 'I Got the (Blues)' by Labi Siffre. Check out our bustling bonus cuts section below for more uses of 'I Got the (Blues)'.The Lowdown:
Tony Alvon and the Belairs 'Sexy Coffee Pot'
from 'Boom-Boom-Boom' 7" (1969) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
The Dramatics "In the Rain'
from 'Whatcha See is Whatcha Get' (1971) (MP3/CD)
Schoolly D 'PSK (What Does It Mean)'
from 'Schoolly-D' (1985) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Marvin Gaye 'After the Dance'
from 'I Want You' (1976) (MP3/CD)
Labi Siffre 'I Got the (Blues)'
from 'Remember My Song' (1975) (MP3/Import CD)
Bonus Cuts:
'I Got the (Blues)' is probably best known for its use (let's be real... its unadorned loop) on Eminem's 'My Name Is' produced by Dr. Dre, but it's been used plenty of times before and after. Two years before Eminem, Ski used the beat for Jay-Z 'Streets is Watching' which, of course, spawned the independent movie of the same name (bringing "f--- out of here" to the mouths of every rap fan within a 300 mile radius of Brooklyn). In 1998, Erick Sermon sampled 'I Got the (Blues)' for the Def Squad's 'Countdown'. In 1999, the beat was used by the Beatnuts for the Violator compilation track 'Beatnuts Forever' and Irv Gotti and Lil' Rob for Foxy Brown's 'Hot Spot'.
With J Dilla's reputation for heavy beats growing and a series of releases on his own, Dilla was able to place beats on some high profile projects. This post will cover snippets of his 2004-2005 output that include three of his highest profile productions.In 2004, Blue Note Records enlisted producers to remix tracks from their back catalog. Dilla remixed Brother Jack McDuff's 1969 track 'Oblighetto' for 'Blue Note Revisited'. Jack McDuff's original track appeared on his sought after album 'Moon Rappin''. Also in 2004, Dilla landed a beat on De La Soul's first album in 3 years: 'The Grind Date'. The album contains two beats by J Dilla (three on the international version), 'Much More' (which was famously featured on 'Chapelle's Show') samples parts of Shuggie Otis' 'Strawberry Letter 23' (which would become a hit for the Brothers Johnson, but would never be bested) and L.T.D.'s 'Love Ballad' from 1975's 'Love to the World'. In 2005, Dilla contributed two more beats to Common's latest album 'Be', which was produced entirely by Kanye West with the exception of Dilla's tracks. 'Love Is...' utilizes Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' B-Side cut 'God is Love' to great effect.During this same time period, reports of J Dilla's illness started to recieve press. By the end of 2005, Dilla was confined to a wheel chair as a symptom of TTP. On February 10, 2006 died - only three days after the release of his opus 'Donuts'. Our next look at Dilla will cover his final and posthumously released production work.The Lowdown:
Brother Jack McDuff 'Oblighetto' (Dilla Mix)
from 'Blue Note Revisited' (2004) (MP3 not available/CD)
Brother Jack McDuff 'Oblighetto'
from 'Moon Rappin''(1969) (MP3/CD not available)
De La Soul 'Much More'
from 'The Grind Date' (2004) (MP3/CD)
Shuggie Otis 'Strawberry Letter 23'
from 'Freedom Flight' (1971) (MP3/CD)
L.T.D. 'Love Ballad'
from 'Love to the World' (1975) (MP3/CD)
Common 'God Is...'
from 'Be' (2005) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'God Is...'
Marvin Gaye 'God is Love'
from 'What's Going On' (1971) (MP3/CD)
Related Posts:
Producer Profile: J Dilla (Part 1, 1995)
Producer Profile: J Dilla (Part 2, 1996-1997)
Producer Profile: J Dilla (Part 3, 1998-1999)
Producer Profile: J Dilla (Part 4, 2000)
Producer Profile: J Dilla (Part 5, 2001-2003)
In 2001, Beanie Sigel released his sophomore effort 'The Reason'. Like much of Roc-a-fella's output from the early 00s, this album has a soulful sound with numerous contributions from the in house production team of Just Blaze and Kanye West. This blog post will cover the key cuts from 'The Reason' and the samples used to create them.Just Blaze produced the track 'So What You Saying' for Bean and label mate Memphis Bleek. The track samples B.T. Express' often used 'If It Don't Turn You On (You Ought to Leave It Alone)' from their 1974 album 'Do It ('Til Your Satisfied)'. Blaze also laces Sigel with the bumping 'Get Down' which is cut from Quincy Jones' title track from his soundtrack to 'The Lost Man'. Chicago veteran producer and Kanye mentor No I.D. contributes the beat for 'Man's World' which is deftly constructed from James Brown's 'It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World' from the 1966 album of the same title. 'Still Got Love For You' finds Just Blaze using the huge break from Isaac Hayes' 'Ike's Mood I' from his album ''...To Be Continued''.Look out for more Roc classics from this period to be covered in future posts on this blog.The Lowdown:
Beanie Sigel 'So What You Saying', 'Get Down', 'Man's World', and 'Still Got Love For You'
from 'The Reason' (2001) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edits: 'So What You Saying', 'Get Down', 'Man's World', and 'Still Got Love For You'
B.T. Express 'If It Don't Turn You On (You Ought to Leave It Alone)'
from 'Do It ('Til Your Satisfied)' (1974) (MP3/CD)
Quincy Jones 'Lost Man'
from 'The Lost Man' (1968) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
James Brown 'It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World'
from 'It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World' (1966) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Isaac Hayes 'Ike's Mood I' (Radio Edit)
from '...To Be Continued' (1969) (MP3/CD)
Related Posts:
Producer Profile: Kanye west (Part 1, 2000) (Beanie Sigel Appearance)
Producer Profile: Just Blaze (Part 1, 2000-2001) (Beanie Sigel Appearance)
Welcome to part 2 of our look at 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'.
'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F--- Wit' may not be an A-side single, but its one of Wu-Tang's most endearing and well known tracks. The track, produced by the RZA and Method Man, samples the break from Lafayette Afro Rock Band's 'Hihache', the opening break from the Honey Drippers' 'Impeach the President', and elements of Biz Markie's 'Nobody Beats the Biz'. The biggest single from 'Enter the Wu-Tang', maybe the biggest single of the Wu's career, is 'C.R.E.A.M.'. This classic uses a sample of the Stax single 'As Long as I've Got You' by the Charmels, written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Don't sleep on that download link, this track has never been easy to come by! |
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Method Man takes on a track solo for 'Method Man' which samples 'Sport' by Lightnin' Rod (featuring instrumentation by an early Earth, Wind and Fire), 'Sundown' by Gordon Lightfoot, and re-interpolates Hall and Oates' 'Method of Modern Love' from 1984's 'Big Bam Boom'. The Wu's first single, originally released independently but redone for the album, was 'protect Ya Neck' which contains samples of Lowell Fulsom's 'Tramp' and Albert King's 'Cold Feet'. Finally, 'Tearz' samples another Stax 7": Wendy Rene's 'After Laughter (Comes Tears)'.
Wu-Tang Clan, following the release of their debut, became a legacy with more albums as a group and dozens of solo releases from the Wu members. Look for more Wu-Tang Clan associated posts in the future of this blog.The Lowdown:
Wu-Tang Clan 'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F--- Wit', 'C.R.E.A.M.', 'Method Man', 'Protect Ya Neck', and 'Tearz'
from 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' (1993) (MP3/CD)
Lafayette Afro Rock Band 'Hihache'
from 'Soul Makossa' (1972) (MP3/CD not available)
The Honey Drippers 'Impeach the President'
from 'Impeach the President' 7" (1973) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Biz Markie 'Nobody Beats the Biz'
from 'Goin' Off' (1988) (MP3/CD)
The Charmels 'As Long As I've Got You'
from 'As Long As I've Got You' 7" (1967) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Lightnin' Rod 'Sport'
from 'Hustler's Convention' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD)
Gordon Lightfoot 'Sundown'
from 'Sundown' (1974) (MP3 not available/CD)
Hall and Oates 'Method of Modern Love'
from 'Big Bam Boom' (1984) (MP3/CD)
Lowell Fulsom 'Tramp'
from 'Tramp' (1967) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Albert King 'Cold Feet'
from 'King of the Blues Guitar' (1969) (MP3/CD)
Wendy Rene 'After Laughter (Comes Tears)'
from 'After Laughter (Comes Tears)' 7" (1964) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Bonus Cuts:
Wu-Tang Clan 'C.R.E.A.M.' (Acapella)
Following the success of his breakthrough album 'What's Going On' and two successful pop albums ('Let's Get It On' and 'Diana and Marvin'), Marvin Gaye released 'I Want You' in 1976. With writer/producer Leon Ware, Gaye created some of his most erotic music. Marvin has always been a favorite of hip-hop producers for sample sources, so 'I Want You' features a series of well used samples placed in hip-hop history.
The album's fantastic lead single 'I Want You' was a top 20 pop hit and is the blueprint for the 80s quiet storm sound. In 1994, 'I Want You' was used twice: once by 88 X Unit for Ice Cube's 'What Can I Do?' and once by Puff Daddy and the Hitmen for Mary J Blige's hit single 'Be Happy'. In 2001, a then new Three 6 Mafia, produced by production team DJ Paul and Juicy J, sampled 'I Want You' for 'Long Nite' from their debut album 'Mystic Stylez'. |
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The album's second track 'Come Live with Me Angel' was sampled in 2003 by Red Spyda for one of G-Unit's few charting hits: 'Wanna Get to Know You' with R&B singer Joe. The album's second single 'After the Dance' was again used by Ice Cube (via the Boogiemen production team) in 1991 for the single 'Steady Mobbin'' from 'Death Certificate'. Seven years later, 'After the Dance' was sampled by Salaam Remi for Canibus' 'Get Retarded' from his debut album 'Can-I-Bus'. Finally, L.A. Jay and SlimKid3 sampled Marvin's 'Since I Had You' for the Pharcyde's 'Otha Fish' from their debut album 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde'.The Lowdown:
Marvin Gaye 'I Want You', 'Come Live with Me Angel', 'After the Dance', and 'Since I Had You'
from 'I Want You' (1976) (MP3/CD)
Ice Cube 'What Can I Do?'
from 'Lethal Injection' (1994) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'What Can I Do?'
Mary J. Blige 'Be Happy'
from 'My Life' (1994) (MP3/CD)
Three 6 Mafia 'Long Nite'
from 'Mystic Stylez' (2001) (MP3/CD)
G-Unit and Joe 'Wanna Get to Know You'
from 'Beg for Mercy' (2003) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'Wanna Get to Know You'
Ice Cube 'Steady Mobbin''
from 'Death Certificate' (1991) (MP3/CD)
Canibus 'Get Retarded'
from 'Can-I-Bus' (1998) (MP3/CD)
The Pharcyde 'Otha Fish'
from 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde' (1992) (MP3/CD)Bonus Cuts:
There are a series of decent covers of 'I Want You' (none as good as the original in my opinion), but I thought I'd throw this one out there: Madonna enlisted Massive Attack to produce her version of 'I Want You' to pretty good results (don't hate me for saying so!).
Related Posts:
Source Material: Marvin Gaye 'Trouble Man'
The Breaks: Marlena Shaw 'California Soul' (Marvin Gaye appearance)
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Welcome to the second installment of our two part look at Madlib and MF Doom's 2004 album 'Madvillainy'.
On 'Operation Lifesaver AKA Mint Test', Madlib samples a pair of tracks from George Duke's 1974 album 'I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry': the title track 'I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry' and 'Prepare Yourself'. Additionally, Madlib pulls some beats from Schoolly D's classic drum machine propelled 'PSK (What Does it Mean)'. More pscyh-rock breaks abound on Madvillain's 'Strange Ways', which samples 'Funny Ways' from Gentle Giant's self-titled 1970 album. Madlib samples 'That Ain't the Way You Make Love' by Z.Z. Hill on 'Fancy Clown'. For 'Eye' with Stacy Epps, Madlib samples 'So Good' from the Whispers' 1984 album of the same title. Finally, Madvillain samples Stevie Wonder's rare instrumental side project Eivets Rednow on 'Great Day'. The track uses a sample from 'How Can You Believe' from Eivets Rednow's 1968 self titled album.
Madlib and MF Doom are slated to return with a new album as Madvillainy, but to date nothing but a remix album of this album's tracks has been released.The Lowdown:
Madvillain 'Operation Lifesaver AKA Mint Test', 'Strange Ways', 'Fancy Clown', 'Eye', and 'Great Day'
from 'Madvillainy' (2004) (MP3/CD)
George Duke 'I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry' and 'Prepare Yourself'
from 'I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry' (1974) (MP3/CD)
Schoolly D 'PSK (What Does it Mean)'
from 'Schoolly-D' (1985) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Gentle Giant 'Funny Ways'
from 'Gentle Giant' (1970) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Z.Z. Hill 'That Ain't the Way You Make Love'
from 'Keep on Loving You' (1975) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
The Whispers 'So Good'
from 'So Good' (1984) (MP3 not available/CD)
Eivets Rednow 'How Can You Believe'
from 'Eivets Rednow' (1968) (MP3/CD)
Related Posts:
Rewind: Metal Fingers 'Special Herbs Vol. 1 and 2' (Part 1)
Rewind: Metal Fingers 'Special Herbs Vol. 1 and 2' (Part 2)
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In 2004, Madlib and MF Doom's two year project 'Madvillainy' was released on the indie hip-hop label Stones Throw. The album was mostly produced by Madlib (excluding one track) and features mostly MF Doom on vocals. In this two part arc, we will cover Madlib's deep crate breaks used for the tracks in 'Madvillainy'.
The opening track titled 'The Illest Villains' samples 'Beach Trip' by Morton Stevens and His Orchestra from the soundtrack to the television show 'Hawaii Five-O' in addition to the classic b-boy break 'Jam on the Groove' by Ralph MacDonald. 'Accordian' samples fellow blunted hip-hop SoCal artist Daedelus by using elements from the track 'Experience' from his 2002 album 'Invention'. Madlib flips the often used 'I Keep Forgettin'' by Michael McDonald on the Madvillain track 'Bistro', which also features a sample of 'Second to None' by Atlantic Starr. For the boastfully titled 'America's Most Blunted', MF Doom, Madlib and Quasimoto rhyme over a melange of Fever Tree's psych-rock song 'Ninety Nine and a Half (Won't Do)' and the Dramatics' 'In the Rain'. On 'Rainbows', Madlib samples two tracks from exploitation director Russ Meyer's 60s movies. The track samples 'Psycho Brahmin' from 1965's 'Motor Psycho' and 'Kelly' from 1968's 'Finders Keepers Lovers Weepers'.
Check back for part 2 of our look at 'Madvillainy'.The Lowdown:
Madvillain 'The Illest Villains', 'Accordian', 'Bistro', 'America's Most Blunted', and 'Rainbows'
from 'Madvillainy' (2004) (MP3/CD)
Morton Stevens and His Orchestra 'Beach Trip'
from 'Hawaii Five-O' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Ralph MacDonald 'Jam on the Groove'
from 'Jam on the Groove' 12" (1977) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Daedelus 'Experience'
from 'Invention' (2002) (MP3/CD not available)
Michael McDonald 'I Keep Forgettin''
from 'If That's What it Takes' (1981) (MP3/CD)
Atlantic Starr 'Second to None'
from 'Yours Forever' (1983) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Fever Tree 'Ninety Nine and a Half (Won't Do)'
from 'Fever Tree' (1968) (MP3 not available/CD)
The Dramatics 'In the Rain'
from 'Whatcha See in Whatcha Get' (1971) (MP3/CD)
Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter 'Psycho Brahmin'
from 'Motor Psycho' (1965) (MP3 not available/CD)
Marvin Elling, William Loose, and Stu Phillips 'Kelly'
from 'Finders Keepers Lovers Weepers' (1968) (MP3 not available/CD)
Related Posts:
Rewind: Quasimoto 'The Unseen' (Part 1)
Rewind: Quasimoto 'The Unseen' (Part 2)
Rewind: Quasimoto 'The Unseen' (Part 3)
Welcome to part 2 of our look at Snoop Dogg's 'Ego Trippin''.DJ Quik, Tedd Riley, and Scoop DeVille are credited as the producers of 'Ego Trippin''s fifth single 'Those Gurlz', which samples the Bee Gees' 'Too Much Heaven' from 1978's 'Spirits Having Flown'. Snoop's 'One Chance (Make it Good)' utilizes a sample from Prince Phillip Mitchell's similarly titled 'Make it Good'. Hitboy and Polow Da Don use a sample of Mike Oldfield's 'Celtic Rain' for the track 'Why Did You Leave Me'. The album's final track, 'Can't Say Goodbye', produced by Teddy Riley and co-starring Charlie Wilson, samples the 80s pop hit 'The Way It Is' by Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
Check back for more coverage of Snoop, including a full rundown of samples from his debut 'Doggystyle'.
The Lowdown:
Snoop Dogg 'Those Gurlz', 'One Chance (Make it Good)', 'Why Did You Leave Me', and 'Can't Say Goodbye'
from 'Ego Trippin'' (2008) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edits:'Those Gurlz', 'One Chance (Make it Good)', 'Why Did You Leave Me', and 'Can't Say Goodbye'
The Bee Gees 'Too Much Heaven'
from 'Spirits Having Flown' (1978) (MP3/CD)
Prince Phillip Mitchell 'Make it Good'
from 'Make it Good' (1978) (MP3/CD)
Mike Oldfield 'Celtic Rain'
from 'Voyager' (1996) (MP3 not available/CD)
Bruce Hornsby and the Range 'The Way It Is'
from 'The Way It Is' (1986) (MP3/CD)
Bonus Cuts:
Mike Oldfield is probably best known for his work on his debut 1973 album 'Tubular Bells' and the use of the song 'Tubular Bells' in the movie 'the Exorcist'. The song both launched Oldfield's career as well as launched Virgin Records into a telecom giant. In 1997, 'Tubular Bells' was sampled by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (and perhaps other unlisted producers like J Dilla) on the title track to Janet Jackson's album 'The Velvet Rope'.
On March 7th of 2008, Snoop Dogg released his ninth studio album titled 'Ego Trippin'' led by a stylistic (and pitch) shift that threw a lot of hip-hop heads off. Luckily, the entire album isn't autotuned out, this two part post will cover the sample sources of Snoop's 'Ego Trippin''.
The album intro, 'A Word Witchya!' produced by Scoop DeVille samples one of Marvin Gaye's greatest singles: 'Distant Lover' from 1973's 'Let's Get it On'. DJ Quik follows on the beat for 'Press Play' which mines the late 70s Isley Brothers track 'Voyage to Atlantis'. Snoop covers the Time's Morris Day and Prince (as Jamie Starr) produced 1981 single 'Cool' for his own version produced by studio veteran Teddy Riley. Nottz digs deep for the beat for Snoop Dogg's 'Deez Hollywood Nights' by using a sample of the soundtrack title song from the obscure 80s movie 'The Hollywood Knights' by Brooklyn Dreams.
Check back for part 2 of our look at Snoop Dogg's 'Ego Trippin''.The Lowdown:
Snoop Dogg 'A Word Witchya!', 'Press Play', 'Cool', and 'Deez Hollywood Nights'
from 'Ego Trippin'' (2008) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edits: 'A Word Witchya!', 'Press Play', 'Cool', and 'Deez Hollywood Nights'
Marvin Gaye 'Distant Lover'
from 'Let's Get it On' (1973) (MP3/CD)
The Isley Brothers 'Voyage to Atlantis'
from 'Go for Your Guns' (1977) (MP3/CD)
The Time 'Cool'
from 'The Time' (1981) (MP3/CD)
Brooklyn Dreams 'Hollywood Knights'
from 'The Hollywood Knights' (1980) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
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Welcome to the second part of our look at Scarface's 1991 debut album 'Mr. Scarface is Back'.
Scarface's 'Diary of a Madman' borrows licks from George Clinton's often sampled 'Atomic Dog'. 'Good Girl Gone Bad' samples more Clinton by way of Funkadelic's 'Good Ole Music' from their 1970 debut album. The track also samples Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' later-career song 'Do Like I Do'. The album's second single, 'A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die', is built on a double shot of Motown classics: 'What's Going On' and 'Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)' both from Marvin Gaye's 1971 magnum opus 'What's Going On'. 'A Minute to Pray...' also samples 'Kissin' My Love' from Bill Withers' hit album 'Still Bill'. The album's final track titled 'I'm Dead' samples its break from the forever funk Meters, using the track 'Thinking' from their 1970 album 'Look-ka Py Py'.
Within two years, 'Mr. Scarface is Back' sold over 500,000 units in the United States and has since been lauded as one of the most important hip-hop albums, not to mention one of the essential releases from Texas' hip-hop scene. In the years after 'Mr. Scarface', his solo career outshined the Geto Boys leading to a series of well recieved albums throughout the 90s and the 00s.The Lowdown:
Scarface 'Diary of a Madman', 'Good Girl Gone Bad', 'A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die', and 'I'm Dead'
from 'Mr. Scarface is Back' (1991) (MP3/CD)
George Clinton 'Atomic Dog'
from 'Computer Games' (1982) (MP3 not available/CD)
Funkadelic 'Good Ole Music'
from 'Funkadelic' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD)
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles 'Do Like I Do'
from 'Smokey's Family Robinson' (1976) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Marvin Gaye 'What's Goin' On?' and 'Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)'
from 'What's Going On' (1971) (MP3/CD)
Bill Withers 'Kissin' My Love'
from 'Still Bill' (1971) (MP3/CD)
The Meters 'Thinking'
from 'Look-ka Py Py' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD)
Related Posts:
Producer Profile: Kanye West (Part 2, 2001-2002) (Scarface Appearance)
Source Material: Marvin Gaye 'Trouble Man'
