Blue Note mines old hip-hop grooves :: Music News :: Articles

[Above: The jazz-rap fiends of A Tribe Called Quest]

Ever since Prince Paul cooked up the psychedelic stew of samples that became De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, hip-hop producers have excelled at taking the dusty grooves of yesteryear and turning them into hits for contemporary rappers. Sometimes, these samples develop reputations of their own, such as Clyde Stubblefield's ubiquitous "Funky Drummer" pattern or the fascinating history behind the Winstons' "Amen" break. But more often than not, the vast majority of hip-hop listeners have no idea what obscure old b-sides producers are tapping for their samples.

Working to shine the spotlight on the forgotten instrumentals that have formed the backbone of jazz and funk-based hip-hop, the venerable Blue Note Records will issue Droppin' Science: Greatest Samples From the Blue Note Lab on Feb. 12. Below is the compilation track list, including bonus LP/digital tracks. But if names like Donald Byrd, Grant Green and Lonnie Smith don't ring a bell, we've included a rap song that samples the original tune (courtesy of The-Breaks.com).

1. Lou Donaldson - "It's Your Thing"
Sampled by: De La Soul - "Bitties in the BK Lounge"
2. Ronnie Foster - "Mystic Brew"
Sampled by: A Tribe Called Quest - "Electric Relaxation"
3. Donald Byrd - "Think Twice"
Sampled by: Main Source - "Looking at the Front Door"
4. David Axelrod/David McCallum - "The Edge"
Sampled by: Dr. Dre - "Next Episode"
5. Jack McDuff - "Oblighetto"
Sampled by: A Tribe Called Quest - "Scenario"
6. Joe Williams - "Get Out of My Life Woman"
Sampled by: Big Daddy Kane - "Very Special"
7. Grant Green - "Down Here on the Ground"
Sampled by: A Tribe Called Quest - "Vibes and Stuff"
8. Lonnie Smith - "Spinning Wheel"
Sampled by: Wu-Tang Clan - "Wu-Tang: 7th Camber"
9. Jeremy Steig - "Howling for Judy"
Sampled by: Beastie Boys - "Sure Shot"
10. Lou Donaldson - "Who's Makin Love (To Your Old Lady)"
Sampled by: Notorious B.I.G. - "One More Chance"

Bonus:
11. Ronnie Laws - "Tidal Wave"
Sampled by: Organized Konfusion - "Stress"
12. Monk Higgins - "Little Green Apples"
Sampled by: GangStarr - "Code of the Streets"
13. Donald Byrd - "Wind Parade"
Sampled by: Tupac - "Definition of a Thug Nigga"