When I’m not diggin’ in the crates or posting up your favorite producer’s samples, I’m making my own damn beats! Check out this joint from late 2010. It samples some real jazzy/laid back Brazilian music. Low sample rates and tight drums. Def channeled some Pete Rock for this one. Check it out.
I Was You
The Alchemist is no stranger to sampling early 80′s Latin records. This happens to be a sample from one of his lesser known productions, “Johnny” by Crimewave (guess they knew a guy named Johnny that snitched on them). This isn’t the first time Al sampled Jose Luis Rodriguez, who is known for his synth heavy ballads. Check out “Yo Fui Tu“
Sample, Where have you been?
Camilo Sesto is a famous Latin artist/producer who has a ton of albums. His late 70′s / early 80′s albums have plenty of sample-worthy cuts. Jay-Z / Beanie Sigel used the main loop on “Agua De Dos Rios” (Water of 2 Rivers?) for the classic album cut “Where Have You Been?”
Float On
I never could quite figure out the cover art for this LP. I’m not sure if it’s a dude with really long nails or a chick with really hairy knuckles. Either way, it’s pretty gross… I don’t have much info about Most Requested Rhythm Band other than they were most likely studio musicians from Los Angeles. The choice cut here is Float On. The album also has a version of “Brick House” but no intro break unfortunately.
When you hear the…
Synergy was an expiremental electronic group from New Jersey. They did a lot of sound track/sound library type music during the 70′s. Most of their records are a mix of weird Moog and Oberheim compositions that seem to go on forever. I’m sure it was revolutionary for it’s time, but now it just sounds like a never-ending 80′s synth on repeat.
Alchemist used (at least it sounds like to me) one of the synths on Delta 3/A for the hook of Mobb Deep’s “When You Hear The…”. What do you think?
Al “Alchemist” Pacino
Serpico was one of Al Pacino‘s early films where he plays an undercover cop trying to weed out corruption among the force. 70′s crime dramas are always home to some dope cuts and the soundtrack to Serpico is no exception. Mikis Theodorakis is a world renown Greek composer who handles the music on this score. He’s not a very funky dude, but a quick look at the liner notes will show that none other than Bob James arranged the album.
Alchemist chopped (and very nicely) “Meeting in the Park” for his first official album featuring the track “Dead Bodies” by The Game and Prodigy (of Mobb Deep).