j dilla

Donald Byrd Tribute – BeatSession 02|19|13

The Original Sample:

Think Twice feat. Kay Haith by Donald Byrd

This week we pay tribute to the amazing jazz trumpeter, Donald Byrd, by sampling “Think Twice” from his 1974 release, Stepping into Tomorrow. Byrd is one of the first to successfully fuze jazz, funk, and soul and still have each element remain genuine. He is credited for influencing the career of Herbie Hancock and being the sideman for the many legendary jazz artists throughout his career which spanned 40 years.

The song was also reworked by J Dilla on the Welcome 2 Detroit track “Think Twice feat Dwele.”  Many people mistakenly think Dwele is singing the vocals on this track, when actually it’s J Dilla singing the vocals with Dwele playing the bass.  This would have been a perfect sample last week for a dual tribute, but initial reports of Donald Byrd’s passing were still unconfirmed at the time. Nevertheless, I had to pick this sample given that it inspired one of my favorite J Dilla tracks. Plus (at ~5:07) you’ll hear a portion that was used by ATCQ.

Quick Update:

► Exchanging Highs / More Time by Hydroponikz, M.U.G. & PMBeatz  – From the trio that brought you “#Unecessary” comes two compositions of a softer, sweeter nature. However, these songs by comparison, are not to be taken lightly as they can evoke extreme feelings of love, lust, and euphoria, with a little bit of speechlessness. You know, the kind of loss for words that occurs when your significant other forcefully hushes you with one finger. That heart stopping moment when you spot your other half from across a crowded room, stunning, enigmatic and familiar all in one. It’s that middle dimension where colors transmute into beauty, personality becomes being, and where the sound of silence is more pleasurable than the finest symphony during it’s most intense movement. Cop the dual single here – both tracks produced by WBS family and original member, PMBeatz.

peace, @illa0804 /@GenerationILL

Featured Beats and Producers:

J Dilla Tribute – BeatSession 02|12|13

The Original Sample:

Diana In the Autumn Wind by Gap Mangione

This week we pay tribute to J Dilla by sampling Gap Mangione’s Diana in the Autumn Wind which was used both in Jaylib’s The Official and Slum Village’s Fall in Love.

On to the next…

peace, @illa0804 /@GenerationILL

Featured Beats and Producers: