Rewind: Wu-tang Clan 'Enter the Wu-Tang' (Part 1)

Following a couple early singles by GZA (The Genius) and RZA (aka Prince Rakeem) and a self-released single, the Wu-Tang Clan signed to a major label deal and released one of hip-hop's classics in 1993: 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'. This two part post will cover the sample sources of the Wu's debut album.

The opening track 'Bring Da Ruckus' uses one of RZA's go to drum samples throughout the album: Melvin Bliss' break-fueled freak out 'Synthetic Substitution'. ODB's first appearance comes in full style on the track 'Shame on a N----' which samples both Thelonius Monk's cover of Duke Ellington's 'Black and Tan Fantasy' and the break from Syl Johnson's 'Different Strokes'. 'Clan in Da Front' uses the 'Synthetic Substitution' break with a sample of New Birth's 'Honey Bee'.



The Wu's posse cut 'Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber' samples Lonnie Smith's 'Spinning Wheel' from his 1970 album 'Drives'. RZA gets a hand in production from 4th Disciple for the single 'Can it Be All So Simple'. 'Simple' samples Gladys Knight and the Pips' 1974 cut 'The Way We Were / Try to Remember' and the beat from Labi Siffre's 'I Got The (Blues)' from his 1975 album 'Remember My Song'.

Check back for the second part to our look at 'Enter the Wu-Tang'.

The Lowdown:
Wu-Tang Clan 'Bring Da Ruckus', 'Shame on a N----', 'Clan in Da Front', 'Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber', and 'Can It Be All So Simple'
from 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' (1993) (MP3/CD)
Melvin Bliss 'Synthetic Substitution'
from 'Reward' 7" (1973) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Thelonius Monk 'Black and Tan Fantasy'
from 'Plays Duke Ellington' (1955) (MP3/CD)
Syl Johnson 'Different Strokes'
from 'Is It Because I'm Black?' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
New Birth 'Honey Bee'
from 'It Ain't No Big Thing But It's Growing' (1971) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Lonnie Smith 'Spinning Wheel'
from 'Drives' (1970) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Gladys Knight and the Pips 'The Way We Were / Try to Remember'
from 'I Feel a Song' (1974) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Labi Siffre 'I Got the (Blues)'
from 'Remember My Song' (1975) (MP3/Import CD)

Related Posts:
Rewind: GZA/Genius 'Liquid Swords' (Part 1)
Rewind: GZA/Genius 'Liquid Swords' (Part 2)

Producer Profile: DJ Premier (Part 1, 1989-1990)

Landing in Brooklyn via Texas, DJ Premier replaced Mark the 45 King as the DJ and producer of the rap unit Gang Starr which would reemerge as a duo in 1989 with Gang Starr's classic debut album 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' on Wild Pitch. The single 'Manifest' utilizes jazz samples as well as funk tracks, a specialty of Premier. The track samples Charlie Parker's 1962 jazz joint 'Night in Tunisia' and James Brown's 60s soul single 'Bring it Up (Hipster's Avenue)'. The work with Wild Pitch led to production work for half of Lord Finesse and DJ Mike Smooth's 'Funky Technician'. The track 'Baby, You Nasty' uses samples from James Brown's 'Hell'-era track 'Coldblooded' and 'What's on Your Mind (Expression)' by Brass Construction.

For the soundtrack to the movie 'Mo' Better Blues', Guru and Premier collaborated with Branford Marsalis for the Gang Starr track 'Jazz Thing'. The track samples Thelonious Monk's classic 'Light Blue' and a song from Kool and the Gang's poorly received 1974 foray into jazz 'Kool Jazz' titled 'Dujii'.

Check back for our next look at DJ Premier's productions with his work from 1991 and 1992.

The Lowdown:
Gang Starr 'Manifest'
from 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' (1989) (MP3/CD)
Charlie Parker 'Night in Tunisia'
from 'Bird Symbols' (1962) (MP3 not available/CD)
James Brown 'Bring It Up (Hipster's Avenue)'
from 'James Brown Sings Raw Soul' (1967) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Lord Finesse and DJ Mike Smooth 'Baby, You Nasty'
from 'Funky Technician' (1990) (MP3/CD)
James Brown 'Coldblooded'
from 'Hell' (1974) (MP3/CD)
Brass Construction 'What's on Your Mind (Expression)'
from 'Brass Construction II' (1976) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Gang Starr 'Jazz Thing'
from 'Music for Mo Betta Blues' (1990) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Thelonious Monk 'Light Blue'
from 'At the Five Spot' (1958) (MP3/CD)
Kool and the Gang 'Dujii'
from 'Kool Jazz' (1974) (MP3/CD not available)