SAMPLE SUNDAY---EPISODE 10

It's 2011, and I am LONG overdue for a new installment of Sample Sunday.  Today's session is a gem, in my humble hip hop opinion.  Death Of A Pop Star, the stellar album by underrated emcee David Banner and producer extraordinaire 9th Wonder, is full of sampling treats.  My favorite happens to be the last cut on the album, which was released December 21st, 2010, just in time for the holiday season.  The album was released at the end of the year, but was such a stand-out that I had to include it on my year-end hip hop review (see http://wisdom40.blogspot.com/2010/12/as-we-come-to-close-for-2010.html).  The song in question is simply entitled "Strange", and it is more of an indictment on the ills of society than anything else, with Banner and Big Remo supplying the commentary over a dense 9th production.



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The basis for this song comes from a classic, yet overlooked, song from The Sylvers.  "Cry Of A Dreamer" is a 1973 composition from the dope album The Sylvers II.  I distinctly remember this record spinning on my aunt's dark mahogany-hued component set in our living room in the early to mid 70's!  Before I digress any further, let me say that this song showcases the talents that the Sylvers family possessed.    "Cry Of A Dreamer" may not be as well known as "Cotton Candy" or "Misdemeanor", but it stands out as signature song in the Sylvers discography.  The recognizable sample starts at 0:14 of "Cry Of A Dreamer". 



If you haven't encountered or purchased Death Of A Pop Star, please do so immediately.  It is definitely one of the best buys from my standpoint over the past twelve month period.  I appreciate the fact that David Banner was able to connect with 9th Wonder to great effect.  Lyrically, Banner is not spittin' for the sake of riddlin', but he is bringing substanced by way of his Southern sensibilities.  Sonically, 9th Wonder is 9th Wonder, someone with a keen ear for soul.  The album is a must have, in my opinion.  Follow David Banner and his music via http://www.myspace.com/davidbanner.  You can visit 9th Wonder's discography and music via http://www.9thwonder.com/

Death Of A Pop Star (E-1 Music, 2010)

Go back and visit the Sylvers catalogue to listen to music that is simply not being created any longer.  Even though there is no official website for the group as a whole, there are plenty of sites that will provide information about the musical family.  A good place to start would be the following:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sylvers.

The Sylvers II (Pride, 1973)

It's great to be back on my Sample Sunday grind, and I promise to bring you thought-provoking and dope music that is overlooked and shunned by mainstream.  Mainstream acceptance shouldn't, and won't, dictate the flow of creativitiy!

WISDOM