So I get these requests ALL the time; you know the kind. The kind that I figured a Premo or a Madlib or 9th Wonder would get: “…where you do you get your samples from? Can you hook me up with some dope samples…” I feel like sometimes, much of the art form of making beats is not even in the sample. It’s in the pursuit of something else. You ultimately end up either spending a few dollars on vinyl or you download something just to experience it at face value. You end up with something special. Well that’s the fairy tale take of it. Of course you could always (before you ask) try to find something that you can make totally yours. It has no influence, no bias point of views, and won’t make you feel obligated to do anything other than enjoy the experience of real, soulful music. And even with a point of view as strong as that, I also feel that somethings are so good… they are worth sharing. Some people are going to hear what I hear; other will dismiss the mix as something used to fill up blog space. I feel like what you are about to embark on is beautiful; simply put. Whether you just listen to it while cleaning the crib, or try to use it in place of a very old and very scratched “baby making music” CD, or whether you rip the sound waves into seventy-five samples chopped… you will enjoy what Fly is Made. Check for it at the jump.
I was working in the studio a couple days ago and I was going through some records that I’ve had for sooooo long when while on this Lonnie Liston record I came across something that sounded too right to not mess with. So I jumped on it like I do and you can check out what became of the sample below. Please leave a comment if you feeling it (or not). Peace
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Originally this was only supposed to be a couple of songs. When I say a couple, I mean like, two. I’ve been calling back and forth talking with Grip H all day, as some more of our old stuff may (or may not) be hitting the Kevin Nottingham site soon. I will let time tell that story. What I present to you right now though, is the latest effort from Grip H and me as The Perfect Median, the group from which most of my body of work comes to date. Go to the jump for the download link.
You would not believe how late it is. I’ve been feeling a bit withdrawn. The fact that I’m not getting any sleep or much cut these days (laughs it off) doesn’t help. So I was supposed to “inebriate” away my sorrows tonight… with various alcohols and meaningless conversation. Well I was actually supposed to be at Diamond Head underneath a pitch black Hawaiian sky. FML.
Enters this sample I had been playing around with all day… to chop or not to chop? That was the question. I was planning to go small and massive, but I instead went for a traditional 16 x 4 using different parts of the sample. Since virtually no record of this sample being used has surfaced on the internet, I will choose to kept my mouth shut on this one. This is turning out to be a blog, huh?
Today’s break comes from the record “The Mixed Up Cup,” from old school doo-wop great Clyde McPhatter. This drum break comes from his 1970 release, “Welcome Home” on Decca. Clyde McPhatter passed away in 1972 at the tender age of 41 with 15 albums under his belt and nearly two decades worth of material.
The track “The Mixed Up Cup,” has been sampled by Q-Tip for A Tribe Called Quest’s “Lyrics to Go,” from the Midnight Marauders album (1993) on Jive. Check out the drum break below.
Clyde McPhatte – The Mixed Up Cup
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Today we will briefly discuss “Come in Out of the Rain,” by funk outfit Parliament. This drum break comes from their 1970 debut effort, Osmium on Invictus Records. The Parliament gang was led by George Clinton as many of you may know and this record was from more of their funkier days than the later R&B driven material.
The track “Come in Out of the Rain,” has been sampled for Jungle Brothers’ “I’m in Love,” for the Beastie Boys’ “Paul’s Revenge,” and OutKast’s “Elevators (Me and U),” but most notably, in my opinion, by Q-Tip for Nas’ classic “One Love.” Check out the drum break below.
Parliament – Come in Out of the Rain
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Late night session with Grip H reminded me of the olden days. [Laughs, in a reflective kind of way.] It’s been a while since I hit up the boards and he stood behind the mic. Another one of those nights that was down right fun. A few flash backs from when I first told my mom I smoked weed, but not “marijuana” to “cutting off the wee-wee’s of the despicable ones.” We had a share of laughs and some crazy conversation that ended with getting two songs recorded and one of them mixed before my ears started to tire.
These are the nights we you don’t get back. Just hanging with the family and making some tunes. A very good “nightcap” from a bottle of a good day. Not that I can’t stay, but it’s off to dream land now. Peace yall.
