SAMPLE SUNDAY---OVERDUE EDITION

Sampling is a sometimes shunned, yet very creative method, in my humble opinion, when dealing with hip hop music.  When done properly, sampling can be both a way to show respect for previous musical endeavors, and a way to reinterpret that same musical venture.  On a daily basis, I have floating in my mind a vast arsenal of dusty, forgotten gems from my childhood that need resurrection.  These joints will serve as the basis for future creations that will be constructed on my Native Instruments Maschine.  I know that it has been a good while since I've blessed my Sample Sunday faithful with consistent installments.  The intentions are there, but I've been inundated with task after task that has been preventing me from touching bases within the sampled hip hop realm.

Starting this late night edition, I was at first looking at a joint to commemorate Black Sheep and their 20th anniversary release of the sample-laden classic A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing.  That album is full of obscure samples that only the most dedicated of crate-diggers will appreciate.  However, at 2:08AM, I was led in another direction while listening to an underground favorite Organized Konfusion, a 90's crew comprised of Prince Poetry and Pharoahe Monch.  The self-titled album Organized Konfusion was an album ahead of its time from a lyrical standpoint.  The two A-list lyricists took the art of lyricism and flow to levels not seen up to that point or since, in my opinion.  If you don't know about them as a collective, or on a solo tip, please revisit this 1991 release to get a picture of what I am speaking of. 

The third cut on Organized Konfusion, "Walk Into The Sun", is an inspirational joint with a jazzy, atmospheric feel to it, driven by the collage of samples that comprise the song.  This gem, created by Organized Konfusion, shows the influence that late producer Paul C. had on this dynamic duo.  Paul C., as hip hop lore has it, was one of the first within the hip hop realm to utilize the SP1200 as his sampling device of choice.  The SP1200 gave a gritty sound because of its analog-based sampling capabilities.  I'm not sure if "Walk Into The Sun" was created by Prince Po and Monch with the SP, but you can hear the dirty, gritty nature of the sampling throughout the song in question.  To compliment the witty lyricism, different components were used to give an emotional feel to the song, only enhanced by the soulful singing. 



"Green Earrings", by the one and only Steely Dan, is a funky cut from the album The Royal Scam, released in the bicentennial year of 1976.  As a kid, music permeated my periphery in East Baltimore, and I was constantly hearing musical creations by this group that was so very original and funky, so dope and soulful.  "Green Earrings" is one of those songs that can tell a story without a single word to accompany it.  Adding the lyrical musings of Prince Poetry and Pharoahe Monch to the sonics created by Steely Dan, and you have a song that works perfectly when waking up at 7AM, ready, or not so ready, for another day of work.  Truth be told, there are other samples that are layered throughout "Walk Into The Sun", such as "Runnin'" by Earth Wind And Fire, "Walking Into Sunshine" by Central Line, and "Action" by Orange Krush.  You can clearly hear each of these elements through "Walk Into The Sun".  Study those aforementioned artists as well, if you are not up to speed on any or all of them.



Get familiar with the musical catalog of both Organized Konfusion and Steely Dan.  Their musical creations will last for eternity, and serve as a testament to experimentation and creativity that you generally don't find in today's musical offerings.  Sample Sunday serves as a reminder of the past, so we can move towards the future, all the while staying alert and aware in the present.

VIDEO: PHAROAHE MONCH----CLAP (ONE DAY)

PHAROAHE MONCH HAS DONE IT AGAIN WITH THE UPCOMING ALBUM W.A.R. (WE ARE RENEGADES).  "CLAP (ONE DAY)" IS THE FIRST RELEASE, AND IT HAS THE ACCOMPANYING SHORT FILM TO COMPLIMENT THE DENSE, INTELLLIGENT  LYRICS.  THE VIDEO IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, AS IT SHOWS INTENSE IMAGERY.  WATCH WITH AN OPEN MIND AND ARTISTIC SCOPE.

 

Documentary----"Freestyle---The Art Of Rhyme"

"Freestyle---The Art Of Rhyme" was released in 2000 to critical acclaim.  The Urbanworld Film Festival award winner for Best Documentary showcased a multitude of artists versed in the art of freestyle.  Freestyle, in one sense, is the ability to deliver impromptu rhymes on the spot, spontaneously using environment, circumstances, or rhyme opponents as material to showcase who is the dopest "off the dome", so to speak.  In other circles, freestyle is more of a stream of consciousness rhyme that has been written.  Both proponents of freestyle are represented in this thought-provoking film.  A wide range of hip hop artists appear in the film:  Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, The Last Poets, Freestyle Fellowship, Medusa, Juice, Supernatural, Craig G, Otherwize, Black Thought, Questlove, Talib Kweli, and countless others.  The documentary was directed by Kevin Fitzgerald, also known as DJ Organic.  With him having a foot in the doorway of hip hop, he was able to tap into the energy that fuels the art of freestyle. Freestyling, along with other components such as graffiti, deejaying, and b-boying, all play a part in making hip hop the viable culture that it is.  If you haven't seen this film, take a look at the artistry and poetry represented by those that represent urban angst and living.   

Watch more free documentaries

Source:  http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/freestyle/

First Quarter Expectations---2011

Hello Blogosphere!  Wisdom is back to surmise on expectations for the First Quarter of 2011.  Are those expectations GREAT or LUKEWARM?  From a musical standpoint, there are projects that I'm hearing about that are going to drop this first portion of the year. 

Talib Kweli is slated to drop Gutter Rainbows tomorrow, January 25th, and from what I've listened to thus far, Talib is still a force to be reckoned with in the hip hop world.  He is definitely one of my favorite lyricists, because he comes from a poetic aesthetic when it comes to his construction of rhymes.  Over the years, Talib Kweli has fine-tuned his delivery, once a jumbled collection of dope rhymes that took a little deciphering in order to understand, to a cohesive and smooth lyricist that should be on everyone's list as one of the best emcees. 

W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) by the incomparable Pharoahe Monch is slated for February, 2011, and I know, know, KNOW this is going to be dope.  Monch is one of those emcees who I NEVER question when it comes to material, because he has been an avant-garde lyricist since his early 90's Organized Konfusion days with another equally slept-on talent Prince Po.  This album should satisfy the tastebuds of those salivating over dope lyricism and brash, underground beats.  If his last release, Desire, is any indication of the direction for this album, then be on the lookout for an epic release. 

Chicago-based emcee and also a lyricist supreme Lupe Fiasco is finally releasing Lasers, after much delay due to label issues.  I've heard a couple of cuts, so I am pretty sure we are going to be treated to top-notch lyricism and eclectic production.  I'm just hoping that the direction of Lasers doesn't venture into TOO much pop territory.  I don't want to witness Lupe falling into that proverbial trap of trying to satisfy the masses and sacrificing his ultimate artistic vision. 

February, 2011 is also the expected timeline for the release of Arms & Hammers from Left Coast artists Strong Arm Steady.  Strong Arm Steady is a dope collective of like-minded emcees Krondon, Mitchy Slick, and Phil Da Agony.  Very underrated, but highly talented, Strong Arm Steady should be a crew to watch in 2011 and beyond due to their lyrical talents and dope beat selections.  I'm looking forward to this release!

The two largest entities in hip hop are destined to join forces on an epic album:  Jay-Z and Kanye West.  I'm hearing that March, 2011 is the anticipated release of Watch The Throne.  I have no words for this as of yet, because I'm salivating at the prospect of upper echelon talent such as Shawn Corey Carter and Kanye Omari West on an album together.  Truthfully, I was a little underwhelmed by "H.A.M.", the just-released joint from these two powerhouses.  I guess the stakes are so high with these two together that anything less that a five-star production is a total disappointment.  I'm not going to bet against Jay and Kanye, because I'm sure these two are going to pick up where their collaborative efforts on The Blueprint 3 left off.

Jean Grae is poised to release Cake Or Death, a creative title for newest release in March, 2011.  Not only one of the dopest female emcees, but one of the dopest emcees PERIOD.  If you haven't witnessed the cleverness and delivery from Ms. Grae, just pick up Cake Or Death when it is released.  You will be a believer at that point, trust me!  To get a taste of just how off the wall Jean Grae is from an intellectual standpoint, just follow her on Twitter under @JeanGreasy.  I'm hoping her free-thinking ways will translate to an album that will garner critical and monetary attention.

Raekwon is set to follow-up his 2009 release Only Built For Cuban Links...Part II and 2010 trio album Wu-Massacre (along with Meth and Ghost) with Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang, an album entirely devoid of production from RZA, the mythical head of the Wu-Tang empire.  I'm hoping that the musical backdrop for this album serves Raekwon well.  The album is slated to have lyrical contributions from Ghost, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, and Black Thought from The Legendary Roots Crew!  Sounds like a potent concoction indeed.  This album should see release March 8, 2011.

The return of Goodie Mob is something that hip hop fans have been clamoring for over the course of the past decade or so.  With Cee-Lo experiencing much success outside the realm of the Goodie Mob umbrella, it's only fitting that he join forces with his Dungeon Family brethren to give the Dirty South and everyone else what is needed in today's lukewarm musical climate.  I believe that the album is mostly completed, with a March/April 2011 release scheduled.  If it isn't released this quarter, I'm not upset, because I want this as yet untitled project to be worth every dime invested.  I'm sure that it will be a dope release.

Blu is a slept-on, and relatively unknown entity from the Left Coast.  Along with producer Exile, among others, Blu has been crafting very unique and dope music, reaching a pinnacle with Below The Heavens in 2007.  His 2011 release will be entitled HerFavoriteColo(u)r/The Godlee Barnes LP, with Godlee Barnes serving as the production alter-ego for Blu.  The album is a fourteen-song collection of the inner thoughts of an emcee.  Look for the double LP/CD release March, 2011.

Will we EVER see the release of the Saigon album The Greatest Story Never Told?  February 15, 2011 is the timeline for the oft-delayed album to finally see the light of day.  I'm hoping that the delay hasn't spoiled interest in this album, which created so much buzz in the industry a few years ago.  Under the guidance and production of Just Blaze, I'm hoping that The Greatest Story Never Told holds up to its advanced billing.  We shall see.

Smif-n-Wessun AND Pete Rock together for an entire album?  Monumental is the aptly-named project featuring sole production from Soul Brother Number One himself, Pete Rock.  This album has been in the making for the past few years, and will see its culmination with a February, 2011 release.  "Prevail" is the first single released, featuring Raekwon, and it is indeed a banger.  The rest of this album should follow suit, so cop this joint when it is released next month!

Along with these albums, there are countless other releases slated between January-March of this year.  This should make for a pretty interesting 2011 in hip hop.  Let's hope for the best!

PHAROAHE MONCH LIVE AT THE JAZZ CAFE IN LONDON----"CLAP (ONE DAY)"

I'M ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE RELEASE OF PHAROAHE MONCH'S ALBUM ENTITLED "W.A.R. (WE ARE RENEGADES).  AS ONE OF THE DEEPEST, DOPEST LYRICISTS EVER, MONCH HAS TIME AND TIME AGAIN PUSHED THE ENVELOP FROM A LYRICAL PERSPECTIVE.  CLAP (ONE DAY) IS NO DIFFERENT.  HERE IS A LIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE CUT AT THE JAZZ CLUB IN LONDON.  FEBRUARY 22, 2011 IS THE ANTICPATED RELEASE DATE FOR HIS THIRD SOLO ALBUM AND FIRST ON DUCK DOWN RECORDS.  THANKS TO VIMEO AND MY OKAYPLAYER FAM FOR THE VIDEO LINK.  PEACE!

Clap (One Day) from W.A.R. Media on Vimeo.