What might you have missed from around the web this month? Well, there is sure to be something here that will spark your interest. There's a strong sense of history in this months review, but don't overlook the last item which will certain lighten your mood?
Who Used That?
Most of the samples in this video aren't that difficult to decipher, but that's not really the point. This little clip is a really effective way of pulling together over 50 years of sampling in just 3 minutes. I could have watched another 10 minutes, its good stuff.
Live From The Shed
If you haven't come across the Hot Butter Soul Music Archaeology (HBSMA) chaps or their numerous video blogs before then you've been missing out. They've had several notable artists pass through their shed (yes, you read that correctly!) to discuss breakbeats, influences, music history and plenty more.
Don't let the no frills accommodation and countryside attire put you off though, these guys know their stuff and are great to watch. This month they had M.C.M. of Caveman pass through, who talked about the rise and fall of Caveman, his musical influences, and he brought along some breaks from his personal collection to share.
9th Wonder Goes Back to School
Oh boy, watch this and just wonder what your further education choices would have been like, if this type of course had been available 20+ years ago! This is just the trailer for a full length documentary on 9th Wonder's tenure at Harvard University teaching The Standards of Hip Hop. This is some serious shit when academic institutions are recognising the significance and importance of hip hop culture and want to explore it's history, long may it continue.
Further information on the documentary and other artists becoming involved can be found on their website - http://thehiphopfellow.com/
Tap the bottle and... blow across the top!?!?!
So let's end this review on a lighter note. I think I've seen everything now! No explanation is needed, just hit play and watch something that raises more questions than it answers, but is damned clever too. Oh, and its more fun to look away from the screen and guess the tunes.
Surely this needs little, if any, introduction. The image above should tell you everything you need to know, but if you don't know the history of the Incredible Bongo Band or their hit record Apache then I'd certainly recommend watching Sample This which documents the history, impact, legacy and continuous influence that the track has had over the past 40 years.
In the meantime, why not reflect on some of the different ways the Bongo Rock album has been sampled in this mix by Chris Read. Full track listing after the jump:
September has been a good month. Maybe not for everyone, but for those of us who crave old school and golden era nostalgia, it's been a bumper month. What's been most surprising though, is that much of this little collection is kind of new, despite being old (bear with me and you'll see what I mean). Ah heck, to save me explaining it, just peep the first item and you'll see where I was going.
Be sure to follow the jump link as there are mixtapes, break beats, new music and much more for your eyes and ears. I told ya, it's been a monster month.
Bizarre Tribe
No, I've not found a previously undiscovered group of cannibals deep in the Amazon rain forest! But if you haven't heard this mix yet then you must have been deep in the Amazon yourself. Amerigo Gazaway (who previously fused Fela Kuti and De La Soul to critical acclaim) has been hard at work again, this time reinterpreting the music created by A Tribe Called Quest. Using the original soul, funk and jazz samples, Gazaway recreates the instrumentals from some of ATCQ's classics, and then drops vocals from the Pharcyde over the top.
Damn, what a blistering month its been. The summer hiatus is over and now I feel like I'm getting high on all of the dope content that is circulating around the web. There's been so many great finds this month we've been spoilt for choice, so I hope you agree with my selection. Here's the cream of the crop (incl. a free download!):
MC Lyte & Positive K
Ever wondered what happened to MC Lyte? Well, like many of the artists from her era she's still going strong, just not on everybody's radar. She recently hooked up with Positive K for this collaboration:
And if this is a bit too soft for you, then have a listen to this one where Lyte shows that she can still kick it hardcore.
MC Lyte has a host of other tunes that can be found on her website: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/10434598. She also has a free app that you can download for exclusive pictures, content etc. It's so good to see one of the greatest female emcee's still in the game and still going strong.
Jedi Mind Tricks Interview
On the eve of their new album Violence Begets Violence, Viinie Paz and Jus Allah talk about JMT's current sound and direction and the absence of Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind from the production boards. They also reflect on nearly two decades in the game and a return to their earlier sound.
Red Bull Music Academy - Slick Rick
Old School legend Slick Rick attends the Red Bull Music Academy's World Tour at the Bronx Paradise Theatre where he discusses his early hip hop influences, the development of his unique storytelling style and then revisits his classic debut album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick for a track by track breakdown, giving insightful recollections of their history.
The session lasts around an hour and a half and contains plenty of interesting history pertaining to Rick and some of his early associates. Check the video out here:
Also, there are four more lectures like this from the Wu Tang Clan, Black Moon, Mobb Deep & Dipset. Head over to Egotripland.com to see each video, although you might need some spare time as they're each an hour or more in length.
Murs Interview
Murs has got to be the most underrated and under recognised emcee from the west coast (feel free to disagree or suggest an alternative name). Having just released his latest album Love & Rockets Volume 1, Murs takes time out to discuss this and previous releases as well as his attempts to have a greater understanding of homosexuality, working with O.C., family life and plenty more.
Lord Finesse Breakbeat Mix
The microphone master takes to the decks for a mix of break beats and hip hop classics. As one of the golden era's finest producers, Finesse has an ear for excellent beats and demonstrates that in this nice little mix.
New Masta Ace LP
Last month I gave you the heads up on the new Masta Ace and MF Doom (MA Doom) collaboration LP that's due for release real soon. Well, to give you a taster of the new LP, Ace has released a free promo single on his website to get us all in the mood. This single is an exclusive that won't be on released LP, so go grab it whilst you can.
When I first heard this track, I really wasn't too sure about it. It felt a bit like a DJ mashup, but trust me, it's a real grower when you give it a couple of listens, and I'm now even more excited about the new project.
DJ Black Steel pulled this album of breakbeats together having taken the beats from the original Wild Style film. Anyone who is a fan of the films original score will certainly appreciate this compilation, but for me what is more important is the flashback to that era that this type of breakbeat collection provides to the listener. So if you loved Wild Style, then download, press play and reminisce on just how funky that era was and just how classic Wild Style is. I can't think of another film from that era that has stood the test of time, or was as true to the culture as Wild Style.
I may not know when (or whether) Detox is being released, and I probably don't really care, but what I do know is that Mike 2600 has done a lovely little Dr Dre mix over at Soundcloud.com. Mike has dug out the original break beats for many of the classic records that Dr Dre has produced over the years for a range of artists and then blended together the originals with Dre's version for an hours worth of pure funky pleasure.
I highly recommend listening to this, so either hit play or download a copy for later consumption.
NB: - If you're viewing this posting on an iPhone or through some blog readers, then you might not be able to see the audio player as it uses Flash.
