jazz

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:

Shades – Tones by Barbara Moore – BeatSession 07|03|12

The Original Sample:

Shades – Tones by Barbara Moore

This week’s sample comes from Barbara Moore’s 1972 release on De Wolfe. A legendary release, Vocal Shades and Tones features smooth jazz and elements of bossa and scat vocals. After delving deeper into her catalog, I found a treasure trove of future WBS sample selections. Here’s a great interview which features the legendary British composer:

Quick Update:

► Boy of Summer by Napoleon Suarez –  Give a warm welcome for a new addition to the WBS fam, Napoleon Suarez from Philly. Be sure to check out his 20 track offering, Boy of Summer, which dropped last month. Also, check out the trailer here.

► Occupied Living Room – Bwan x Paper Son - If you haven’t already, be sure to cop Paper Son’s third installment in a series of remix projects. Check out the write-up and WBS shout out here.

► Throwback by Def Justice – Here’s a 9-track offering from Def Justice released just today. Download here.

peace, @illa0804 /@GenerationILL

Featured Beats and Producers:

Memories by Napoleon Suarez (Philadelphia, PA)

Untitled by Ant Hearn (Southampton, England)

Goon (Pt 2) by Blackph03nix (London, England)

On a Trip by Agent Smith 78 (Chicago, IL)

6.30.12 by Jla da Composer (Chicago, IL)

HOTNITE JOINT by Mr. Klimatic (Toledo, OH)

Magic Mark by PMBeatz (Washington, DC)

The Setup by NeV (Augusta, GA)

Ex Umbris In Lucem by StonedGutter (Batangas City, Philippines)

Memoir by Daniel Riofrio (New York, NY)

Hum Along by thadizzie1 (San Francisco, CA)

Slow Kayak by Sideways (Portland, OR)

Graveyard Sh_t by Alas Ng Beats (Quezon City, Philippines)

Smokin Panda by Ize (Manila, Philippines)