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Welcome to part 2 of our 3 part look at 'Supreme Clientele' by Ghostface Killah.
'Supreme Clientele''s RZA produced Wu posse cut is 'Buck 50', which I presume is one of the album's 50 Cent disses. RZA samples the Curtis Mayfield produced 'Hard Times' by Baby Huey from his lone, posthumous album 'The Living Legend' from 1970. Mathematics produced the beat for Ghost's 'Mighty Healthy', which samples 'Wish That I Could Talk to You' from the Sylver's self titled 1972 album as well as James Brown's 'Funky President' from 1975's 'Reality'. Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' 'Hope That We Can Be Together Soon' plays behind the skit titled 'Woodrow the Basshead' (sorry, no download for this one - you'll have to buy the full album to hear it) to excellent effect. Finally, Inspectah Deck samples David Axelrod's 'Strange Ladies'-era song 'Terri's Tune' for Ghostface's 'Stay True (Deck's Beat)'. Inspectah is digging in the crates for that one!
Check back for the third and final part of our look at 'Supreme Clientele'.The Lowdown:
Ghostface Killah 'Buck 50', 'Mighty Healthy', 'Woodrow the Basshead', and 'Stay True (Deck's Beat)'
from 'Supreme Clientele' (2000) (MP3/CD)
Baby Huey 'Hard Times'
from 'The Living Legend' (1970) (MP3/CD)
The Sylvers 'Wish That I Could Talk to You'
from 'The Sylvers' (1972) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
James Brown 'Funky President (People It's Bad)'
from 'Reality' (1975) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes 'Hope That We Can Be Together Soon'
from 'To Be True' (1975) (MP3/CD not available)
David Axelrod 'Terri's Tune'
from 'Strange Ladies' (1977) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
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Often seen as one of the best Wu-Tang solo efforts, 2000's 'Supreme Clientele' is bursting with rugged street rhymes mixed with soulful production. This blog's three part arc will cover the samples used in 'Supreme Clientele'.
The first proper track (after the intro) is 'Nutmeg' produced by Black Moses-Art. The track samples 'It's Over' from Eddie Holman's 1977 album 'A Night to Remember'. One of the album's standout tracks is 'One', though it was never properly released as a single. Juju samples 'You Roam When You Don't Get it at Home' by the Sweet Inspirations for 'One''s beat. 'Supreme Clientele''s lead single is the Hassan produced 'Apollo Kids', a classic Ghost and Raekwon track. Hassan samples 'Cool Breeze' by Solomon Burke from the 1972 soundtrack to the movie 'Cool Breeze'. One of the RZA's four beats on the album is the beat for 'The Grain', a track where he also has a guest verse. 'The Grain' samples Stax legend Rufus Thomas and his dance single 'Do the Funky Chicken' from 1973's 'The Crown Prince of Dance'.
Check back for part 2 of our look at 'Supreme Clientele'.The Lowdown:
Ghostface Killah 'Nutmeg', 'One', 'Apollo Kids', and 'The Grain'
from 'Supreme Clientele' (2000) (MP3/CD)
Eddie Holman 'It's Over'
from 'A Night to Remember' (1977) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Sweet Inspirations 'You Roam When You Don't Get it at Home'
from 'Estell, Myrna, and Sylvia' (1968) (MP3 not available/CD)
Solomon Burke 'Cool Breeze'
from 'Cool Breeze' (1972) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Rufus Thomas 'Do the Funky Chicken'
from 'The Crown Prince of Dance' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
This may seem like a rehash of a previous post, but it's much more than that. Amazon is now offering downloads of David Axelrod's difficult to find albums 'Song of Innocence' and 'Songs of Experience'. When I found out that these are now available, I decided to reboot this entire post with new up-to-date links so all you beat heads could get your hands on two of Axelrod's most influential works. The following is the original post with two new bonus cuts. Enjoy the newly updated part 2 of Axelrod's producer profile.After Axelrod's success as a producer for others, he was encouraged to produce his own instrumental albums. In 1968, he released his first album 'Song of Innocence', an concept album that was loosely based on the writings of 18th century artist William Blake. The album would also contain some of the most sought-after beats by crate diggers worldwide. 'Holy Thursday' was one of the many samples used by Madlib on the Quasimoto track 'Return of the Loop Digga', but most recently it emerged (to my astonishment) as the backing to Lil Wayne's 'Dr. Carter' from the hugely popular 'Tha Carter III'. Swizz Beatz delivered Weezy with an unusually simple looped up 'Holy Thursday' bassline - it's a step out of the norm for both the artist and the producer. 'The Mental Traveller' from 'Song of Innocence' was used by Ras Kass on 'Soul on Ice' from his 1996 debut album also titled 'Soul on Ice'. |
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Axelrod followed 'Song of Innocence' with another Blake themed album, the instrumental 'Songs of Experience'. Axelrod's 'The Human Abstract' would be sampled heavily for DJ Shadow's moody single 'Midnight in a Perfect World' from his outstanding debut album 'Endtroducing...'. Kool G Rap would sample the 'Songs of Experience' track 'A Divine Image' on his track 'Take 'em to War' from his first solo album '4, 5, 6'. 'A Divine Image' was sampled again three years later by DJ Muggs on Cypress Hill's '16 Men Till There's No Men Left'.
Axelrod would only release one more album through Capitol, 1970's 'Earth Rot', before splitting with the label. Through the 70s, he recorded several more albums for RCA, Decca, Polydor, and MCA.The Lowdown:
David Axelrod 'Holy Thursday' and 'The Mental Traveler'
from 'Song of Innocence' (1968) (MP3/CD not available)
Quasimoto 'Return of the Loop Digga'
from 'The Unseen' (2000) (MP3/CD)
Lil Wayne 'Dr. Carter'
from 'Tha Carter III' (2008) (MP3/CD)
Ras Kass 'Soul On Ice'
from 'Soul on Ice' (1996) (MP3/CD not available)
David Axelrod 'The Human Abstract' and 'A Divine Image'
from 'Songs of Experience' (1969) (MP3/CD)
DJ Shadow 'Midnight in a Perfect World'
from 'Endtroducing...' (1996) (MP3/CD)
Kool G Rap 'Take 'em to War'
from '4, 5, 6' (1995) (MP3/CD)
Cypress Hill '16 Men 'til There's No Men Left'
from 'Cypress Hill IV' (1998) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: '16 Men 'til There's No Men Left'
BONUS CUTS:
Now that I can offer a download of it, here is another 'Song of Innocence' cut that got sampled. The album's opening cut 'Urizen' was sampled for the Jurassic 5 / Big Daddy Kane posse cut 'A Day at the Races' produced by Cut Chemist.
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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)
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Welcome to part two of our look at James Brown soundtrack for 'Black Caesar'.
Sure, 'Down and Out...' and 'The Boss' are obvious tracks to sample, but hip-hop's finest have made use of some of 'Black Caesar''s lesser known album cuts too. Large Professor assisted Kool G Rap on the production of 'Play it Again, Polo' which used a sample of 'Black Caesar''s album cut 'Make it Good to Yourself'. James wrote and produced much of Lyn Collins' output, including her vocal contribution to 'Black Caesar' titled 'Mama Feelgood'. The blazing funk of 'Mama Feelgood' was used by Marley Marl for Big Daddy Kane's 1988 track 'Raw' from the album 'Long Live Kane'. Primo dips into James Brown's back catalog again for the beat to Gang Starr's 'I'm The Man' from their classic 'Daily Operation' album. DJ Premier sampled the 'Black Caesar' album cut 'White Lightning (I Mean Moonshine)' for 'I'm the Man'.
The film 'Black Caesar' was a success, as was the soundtrack. The team behind the film quickly started to develop a sequel that was released in late 1973 and titled 'Hell Up in Harlem'. James Brown was originally attached for the score, but (as the legend goes) had his music reject as it was not "funky enough" for the film. The song that was rejected would later be the title track to his 1974 album 'The Payback'. Notably, the soundtrack to 'Hell Up in Harlem' was ably handled by Edwin Starr, Fonce Mizell, and Freddie Perren - look for a future post regarding the 'Hell Up in Harlem' soundtrack.The Lowdown:
James Brown 'Make it Good to Yourself' and 'White Lightning (I Mean Moonshine)'
from 'Black Caesar' (1973) (MP3/CD)
Kool G Rap and DJ Polo 'Play it Again, Polo'
from 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' (1990) (MP3/CD not available)
Lyn Collins 'Mama Feelgood'
from 'Black Caesar' (1973) (MP3/CD)
Big Daddy Kane 'Raw'
from 'Long Live Kane' (1988) (MP3 not available/CD)
Gang Starr 'I'm the Man'
from 'Daily Operation' (1992) (MP3/CD)
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In the period of 1971 to 1974, James Brown had 25 top 100 charting singles and released 9 full length albums, all while extensively touring the country. Among some of his career defining releases is the soundtrack to 1973's 'Black Caesar', which was a nod to the film Little Caesar and not a nod to the 16th century pirate called Black Casear. The film helped launch former-football star Fred Williamson's career and also gave hip-hop some of its best ammunition. This two part blog arc will cover the contribution of 'Black Caesar''s samples to hip-hop.
The album's excellent opening track 'Down and Out in New York City' was Black Caesar's lone single. DJ Premier used it as the backing for Rakim's 'New York (Ya Out There)' from his 1997 solo album 'The 18th Letter'. James Brown's 'Blind Man Can See It' was used in 1990 by Diamond D for Lord Finesse's hip-hop landmark 'Funky Technician'. Two years later, Das EFX used the same song for their YO MTV Raps! staple 'They Want EFX'.
One of 'Black Caesar''s highlights, both on the soundtrack and in the film, is 'The Boss' - an overlooked classic in James' catalog. The beat is not overlooked in the world of hip-hop though: Ice-T used 'The Boss' for his 1989 track 'You Played Yourself'. In 2002, Salaam Remi produced Nas' 'Get Down', a hit from Nas' album 'God's Son' due to its throwback appeal.
Check back for part two of our look at 'Black Caesar'.The Lowdown:
James Brown 'Down and Out in New York City', 'Blind Man Can See It', and 'The Boss'
from 'Black Caesar' (1973) (MP3/CD)
Rakim 'New York (Ya Out There)'
from 'The 18th Letter' (1997) (MP3/CD)
Lord Finesse and DJ Mike Smooth 'Funky Technician'
from 'Funky Technician' (1990) (MP3/CD)
Das EFX 'They Want EFX'
from 'Dead Serious' (1992) (MP3 not available/CD)
Ice-T 'You Played Yourself'
from 'The Iceberg' (1989) (MP3/CD)
Nas 'Get Down'
from 'God's Son' (2002) (MP3/CD)
Welcome to part 4 of our look at Kanye west's production discography, covering some of his production credits from 2003.
On fellow Roc-a-fella artist Memphis Bleek's album 'M.A.D.E.', Kanye contributes the beats to 'I Wanna Love U' which samples Michael Jackson's hit 'P.Y.T.' (those taking notes may remember that West also used 'P.Y.T.' on his album 'Graduation', reviewed in depth here). West produced the track 'Knock Knock' for Monica using an excellent sample: 'It's a Terrible Thing to Waste Your Love' by the Masqueraders from their 1977 album 'Love Anonymous'.
Kanye produced two tracks for T.I.'s sophomore album 'Trap Musik' released in 2003. The amazing album track 'Doin' My Job' utilizes a sample of Bloodstone's 'I'm Just Doin My Job' to great effect. T.I.'s 'Let Me Tell You Something' gets is robotic bounce from a sample of Roger's 'I Want to Be Your Man' from his album 'Unlimited!'.
Keep an eye on this blog for one more post about Kanye West's 2003 productions.The Lowdown:
Memphis Bleek 'I Wanna Love U'
from 'M.A.D.E.' (2003) (MP3/CD)
Michael Jackson 'P.Y.T.'
from 'Thriller' (1981) (MP3/CD)
Monica 'Knock Knock'
from 'After the Storm' (2003) (MP3/CD)
The Masqueraders 'It's a Terrible Thing to Waste Your Love'
'Love Anonymous' (1977) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
T.I. 'Doin' My Job' and 'Let Me Tell You Something'
from 'Trap Muzik' (2003) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit: 'Doin' My Job' and 'Let Me Tell You Something'
Bloodstone 'I'm Just Doin My Job'
'Don't Stop' (1979) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Roger 'I Want to Be Your Man'
from 'Unlimited!' (1987) (MP3/CD)
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Welcome to the final Five On It of the year, a review of the hottest sample sources covered during December.
In our review of Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Life After Death, Herb Alpert's 'Rise' was mentioned as the source for 'Hypnotize''s bassline. Luckily, 12" copies of 'Rise' are fairly easy to find, but if your using Serato - hit the download for the full length album cut and set those cue points for the break. Also mentioned in our review of 'Life After Death' is the trippy 'Space Talk' by Asha Puthli. Though not the most used sample in our review of Marvin Gaye's 'Trouble Man', it's my personal favorite: Marvin's laid back instrumental 'T Plays it Cool'. 'T' is waiting for a proper a flip, anyone up to the challenge?
On our review of Dr. Dre's immortal 'The Chronic', we covered Leon Haywood's 'I Wanna Do Something Freaky To You', the basis of 'Nuthin' But a G Thang'. The extra long intro to 'Freaky' is perfect for teasing the dancefloor before dropping 'G Thang'. Finally, also from the 'Chronic' review is the opening breakbeat from Led Zeppelin's 'When the Levee Breaks'. Gigantic drums that have been used a lot more than you may think (see below).The Lowdown:
Herb Alpert 'Rise'
from 'Rise' (1979) (MP3/CD)
Asha Puthli 'Space Talk'
from 'The Devil is Loose' (1978) (MP3/CD not available)
Marvin Gaye 'T Plays it Cool'
from 'Trouble Man' (1972) (MP3/CD)
Leon Haywood 'I Wanna Do Something Freaky to You'
from 'Come and Get Yourself Some' (1979) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Led Zeppelin 'When the Levee Breaks'
from 'Led Zeppelin IV' (1971) (MP3/CD)
BONUS CUTS:
'When the Levee Breaks' is a popular drum sample for hip-hop on both sides of the Atlantic, but it has also showed up in some odd places in pop history. In 1987, Depeche Mode used 'Levee' for the drums on their single 'Never Let Me Down' to great effect. In 1992, Sophie B. Hawkins used the 'Levee' break on the adult contemporary hit 'Damn I Wish I was Your Lover' (soccer moms stand up). A year later, the break was used on Enigma's biggest U.S. hit fueling interest in 'Pure Moods' compilations for years on 'Return to Innocence'. I can only wonder how much Led Zeppelin has made on just the opening few seconds of one of their lesser known album tracks!
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Jay-Z's fourth studio album, 1999's 'Vol. 3', is perhaps not his best outing, but still contains more than a few hits and notable tracks with contributions for hip-hop's most wanted producers. This post will explore 'Vol. 3' and its sample basis.
The opener 'Hova Song (Intro)' uses a sample of the same song by two different artists. Jimi Hendrix's version of 'Burning of the Midnight Lamp' from 'Electric Ladyland' and Rotary Connection's version of the same song are both used in the album intro. The most controversial sample source on the album is not even a sample: Washington DC go-go legends Rare Essence claim that their song 'Overnight Scenario' is the basis for the single 'Do it Again (Put Ya Hands Up)' with Beanie Sigel and Amil, produced by Rockwilder. See for yourself if you think 'Do it Again' steals 'Overnight Scenario''s countdown of events.
The smash hit of the album (originally a B-side) is the Timbaland produced 'Big Pimpin'' with UGK that samples Egyptian instrumentalist Hossam Ramzy's instantly recognizable 'Khusara Khusara'. This is the song that set Indian samples into motion in American hip-hop (for better or for worse) for the next few years. Finally, the track 'There's Been a Murder' uses an odd sample source, 'Murder' by pop artist Alana Davis released only two years earlier.The Lowdown:
Jay-Z 'Hova Song (Intro)', 'Do it Again (Put Ya Hands Up)', 'Big Pimpin'', and 'There's Been a Murder'
from 'Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter' (1999) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edit:'Hova Song (Intro)', 'Do it Again (Put Ya Hands Up)', 'Big Pimpin'', and 'There's Been a Murder'
The Jimi Hendrix Experience 'Burning the Midnight Lamp'
from 'Electric Ladyland' (1968) (MP3/CD)
Rotary Connection 'Burning the Midnight Lamp'
from 'Songs' (1969) (MP3 not available/CD)
Rare Essence 'Overnight Scenario'
from 'We Go On and On' (1998) (MP3 not available/CD)
Hossam Ramzy 'Khusara Khusara'
Alana Davis 'Murder'
from 'Blame it On Me' (1997) (MP3/CD)
