The Roots of Dr. Dre Explored on New Compilation

Published at 12:00 AM on September 22, 2004

By Paste Staff

KOCH Records will release Chronicles, a collection of '70s funk and soul tracks that inspired the hip hop classics, Dr. Dre's The Chronic and NWA's Straight Outta Compton on Oct. 5.

Both The Chronic and Compton were groundbreaking albums that showcased Dre's influential sound. The original music Dre was inspired by, whether directly through sampling or by the more painstaking process of replaying favorite elements, was crucial in defining his "G-Funk" sound.

An indispensable companion CD to Dr. Dre's multi-platinum The Chronic, Chronicles is much more than a collection of stellar breaks and beats. It's also a showcase for some of the greatest, grittiest tracks by soul and R&B vocalists like Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers and Isaac Hayes.

Track Listing:

1. Leon Haywood: “I Want'a Do Something Freaky To You”
(inspiration for "Nuttin But a G Thang")
2. Isaac Hayes: “Do Your Thang”
(inspiration for "Stranded on Death Row")
3. Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band: “Express Yourself”
(inspiration for "Express Yourself")
4. Donny Hathaway: “Little Ghetto Boy”
(inspiration for "Lil' Ghetto Boys")
5. The Average White Band & Ben E. King: “A Star In The Ghetto”
(inspiration for "If It Ain't Ruff")
6. Wilson Pickett: “Engine Number Nine”
(inspiration for "Straight Outta Compton")
7. Parliament: “Mothership Connection (Star Child)”
(inspiration for "Let Me Ride")
8. Bill Withers: “Kissing My Love”
(inspiration for "Let Me Ride")
9. Kay Gee's: “Who's The Man? (With The Master Plan)”
(inspiration for "A N**** Witta Gun")
10. Willie Hutch: “Brother's Gonna Work It Out”
(inspiration for "Rat-tat-tat-tat")
11. Rufus Thomas: “The Breakdown”
(inspiration for "Kanurshol")
12. Donny Hathaway and Margie Joseph: “Come Back Charleston Blue”
(inspiration for "Rat-tat-tat-tat")
13. The Meters: “Cardova”
(inspiration for "She Swallowed It")
14. Nite Liters: “Damn”
(inspiration for "Lyrical Gangbang")