skip to main |
skip to sidebar
 |
 |
Welcome to our second look at Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint', released on this date in 2001.
One of my favorite samples used for 'The Blueprint' is David Ruffin's 'Common Man' sampled by Kanye West for the track 'Never Change'. The ex-Temps vocalist is amazing on this cut from his self titled 1973 album - this may not be a club banger or something anyone could ever sample again, but it is a hell of a tune. Bobby Glenn's 'Sounds Like a Love Song' is the source for the Just Blaze produced 'Song Cry', one of Jay-Z's most poignant tracks, though it failed to break either the pop or R&B top 40 upon its release as a single. On the Bink produced 'All I Need', Jay-Z rhymes over samples from Natalie Cole's 'Unpredictable' album cut 'I Can't Break Away (From You)'. Bink also produced the album's title track 'Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)', which cuts a sample from Al Green's 'Free at Last' from the beat digger favorite 'Livin' for You'. Just Blaze digs deep for 'Got to Find My Own Place' by Stanley Clarke for Jay-Z's bonus track 'Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise)'. Finally, Jay-Z rides a sample of the Persuaders' 'Trying Girls Out' for his excellent bonus track 'Girls, Girls, Girls' (Remix) produced by Kanye West.
'The Blueprint' was another career plateau for Jay-Z, though it was followed by the career nadir of 'The Blueprint²', an underwhelming double album featuring much of the same cast, with much less conviction and tons of gimmicky cameo appearances. 2009 is set to see the release of Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint 3' today, which will undoubtedly be featured in a future post on this blog.The Lowdown:
Jay-Z 'Never Change', 'Song Cry', 'All I Need', 'Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)', 'Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise)', and 'Girls, Girls, Girls' (Remix)
from 'The Blueprint' (2001) (MP3/CD)
David Ruffin 'Common Man'
from 'David Ruffin' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Bobby Glenn 'Sounds Like a Love Song'
from 'Shout it Out' (1976) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Natalie Cole 'I Can't Break Away (From You)'
from 'Unpredictable' (1977) (MP3/Import CD)
Al Green 'Free at Last'
from 'Livin' for You' (1973) (MP3/CD)
Stanley Clarke 'Got to Find My Own Place'
from 'Modern Man' (1978) (MP3/CD not available)
The Persuaders 'Trying Girls Out'
from 'The Persuaders' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD)
Related Posts:
Rewind: Jay-Z 'Vol. 3'
Rewind: Jay-Z 'American Gangster' (Part 1)
Rewind: Jay-Z 'American Gangster' (Part 2)
Despite it's unfortunate release date on September 11th, 2001 - Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint' managed outstanding first week sales and has become one of the 00s most lauded hip-hop albums. Utilizing much of the same production crew as 2000's 'The Dynasty', Jay rhymes over classics from future super producers Kanye West and Just Blaze. The album yielded four single, including one top 10 smash, and a not so great sequel. Hopefully 'Blueprint 3' will be a step up. This two part post will cover the sample sources of Jay-Z's modern day classic 'The Blueprint'.Jay-Z co-opts Slick Rick's title on the album's opening track 'The Ruler's Back', produced by Bink and featuring a sample of Jackie Moore's 'If' from her 1973 album 'Sweet Charlie Babe'. One of Kanye West's early standout beats is his production for Jay's 'Takeover'. The song famously samples the Door's bass heavy rocker 'Five to One' from 1968's 'Waiting for the Sun' and interpolates David Bowie and John Lennon's hit record 'Fame' from 1975's 'Young Americans'. The album's biggest hit is the Kanye produced 'Izzo (H.O.V.A.)' which slips a sly sample of the Jackson 5's 'I Want You Back' into the mainstream without much fanfare. Maybe it is subliminal! On 'Girls, Girls, Girls', my personal favorite beat on the album, Just Blaze deftly samples Tom Brock's 'There's Nothing in this World that Can Stop Me from Loving You' from his 1974 album 'I Love you More and More'. On the pounding 'U Don't Know', Just Blaze samples Bobby Byrd's 'I'm Not to Blame' from his 1970 live album 'I Need Help'. The Kanye West produced ''Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)' samples Bobby 'Blue' Bland's late career hit 'Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City' from his 1974 album 'Dreamer'.
Check back for our second look at Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint'.The Lowdown:
Jay-Z 'The Ruler's Back', 'Takeover', 'Izzo (H.O.V.A.)', 'Girls, Girls, Girls', 'U Don't Know', and 'Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)'
from 'The Blueprint' (2001) (MP3/CD)
Jackie Moore 'If'
from 'Sweet Charlie Babe' (1973) (MP3/CD)
The Doors 'Five to One'
from 'Waiting for the Sun' (1968) (MP3/CD)
David Bowie 'Fame'
from 'Young Americans' (1975) (MP3/CD)
Jackson 5 'I Want You Back'
from 'Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5' (1969) (MP3/CD)
Tom Brock 'There's Nothing in this World that Can Stop Me from Loving You'
from 'I Love you More and More' (1974) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Bobby Byrd 'I'm Not to Blame'
from 'I Need Help' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Bobby Bland 'Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City'
from 'Dreamer' (1974) (MP3/Import CD)
Related Posts:
Producer Profile: Just Blaze (Part 1, 2000-2001)
Producer Profile: Kanye west (Part 2, 2001-2002)
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 our second look at Freeway's debut album 'Philadelphia Freeway' released on this date in 2003.
Free's 'You Don't Know (In the Ghetto)', produced by Black Key, uses a sample from Minnie Riperton's remarkably descriptive, make-out anthem 'Inside My Love' from her post Rotary Connection 1975 album 'Adventures in Paradise'. Just Blaze samples 'Mystic Brew' by Ronnie Foster for Freeway's album cut 'Alright'. Finally, 'Hear the Song', produced by Kanye West, samples the Nile Rodgers / Bernard Edwards Chic cut 'Will You Cry (When You Hear This Song)' from their 1979 hit album 'Risqué'.
Check back for our review of Freeway's second album 'Free at Last' and continuing reviews of Just Blaze and Kanye West.The Lowdown:
Freeway 'You Don't Know (In the Ghetto)', 'Alright', and 'Hear the Song'
from 'Philadelphia Freeway' (2003) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit:'You Don't Know (In the Ghetto)', 'Alright', and 'Hear the Song'
Minnie Riperton 'Inside My Love'
from 'Adventures in Paradise' (1975) (MP3 not available/CD)
Ronnie Foster 'Mystic Brew'
from 'The Two Headed Freap' (1972) (MP3 not available/CD)
Chic 'Will You Cry (When You Hear This Song)'
from 'Risqué' (1979) (MP3/CD)
 |
 |
Philly stand up! One of the best albums released during Just Blaze and Kanye West's time as Roc-a-fella's in house production wizards is 2003's 'Philadelphia Freeway', the debut album by Freeway. This two part post will cover the sample sources of this album.
The album's biggest hit, which is still a vital mid 00s hip-hop banger, is Just Blaze's awesomely produced 'What We Do' with Beanie Sigel and Jay-Z. Blaze uses a deep crate sample from 'I Just Can't See Myself Without You' by Creative Source from the album 'Migration'. The beat to this one sounds as fresh today as it did five years ago and has become an East Coast classic. Ruggedness produced the beat for Freeway's 'Life' utilizing the most bizarre sample on the album: Eddie Money's 'Life for the Taking' from his 1977 rock album of the same name. Free's 'Victim of the Ghetto' with Roc vocalist Rell, produced by Bink, uses a sample from 'We Belong Together' by the Spinners and Dionne Warwick.
Check back for part 2 of our look at 'Philadelphia Freeway'.The Lowdown:
Freeway 'What We Do', 'Life', and 'Victim of the Ghetto'
from 'Philadelphia Freeway' (2003) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit:'What We Do', 'Life', and 'Victim of the Ghetto'
Creative Source 'I Just Can't See Myself Without You'
from 'Migration' (1974) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Eddie Money 'Life for the Taking'
from 'Life for the Taking' (1977) (MP3/CD)
The Spinners and Dionne Warwick 'We Belong Together'
from 'The Spinners' (1971) (MP3/CD)
Related Posts:
Rewind: Kanye West 'College Dropout' (Part 2) (Freeway Appearance)
 |
 |
Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, began his production career in his native New Jersey before becoming one of Roc-A-Fella Records' in house producers (along with Kanye West during the same time period). This post will cover Just Blaze's early production credits from 2000-2001 and his deep crate sample sources.
Just Blaze's first big break came on Jay-Z's 'The Dynasty: Roc La Familia' from 2000. On the album, Just Blaze produced five tracks including 'Soon You'll Understand', which samples Al Kooper's film score track 'Love Theme' from 1971's 'The Landlord'. One of Blaze's fortés is flipping rock samples, and an early example is on 'In My Life' from Memphis Bleek's 2000 album 'The Understanding'. For 'In My Life', Just Blaze uses Foreigner's ultra-cheesy ballad 'I Want to Know What Love Is' (who does that?!). One of my personal favorite tracks from Beanie Sigel's album 'The Reason' is the bombastic 'Get Down' which snips a sample from Quincy Jones' score for 'The Lost Man'.
Check back for part 2 of our look at Just Blaze's production career.The Lowdown:
Jay-Z 'Soon You'll Understand'
from 'The Dynasty: Roc La Familia' (2000) (MP3/CD)
Clean: 'Soon You'll Understand'
Al Kooper 'Love Theme'
from 'The Landlord' (1971) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Memphis Bleek 'In My Life'
from 'The Understanding' (2000) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'In My Life'
Foreigner 'I Want to Know What Love Is'
from 'Agent Provocateur' (1984) (MP3/CD)
Beanie Sigel 'Get Down'
from 'The Reason' (2001) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'Get Down'
Quincy Jones 'Lost Man'
from 'The Lost Man' (1968) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
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)
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)
