When I was a "beat-maker" back in the day, I liked to think of myself as a sampling purist- I wouldn't allow myself to cheat by sampling anything but vinyl; no getting musicians to play any real instruments on top because I thought that would be too easy; I only liked hardware- no computers. But then about 6 years ago, I did a 180 and gave up sampling completely to fuck with real instruments. It's not easy to do but definitely a lot more fun and rewarding.
So I'm wondering, besides The Roots of course, in the post sample/drum machine-era (so no disco/boogie-rap,) who you guys think has done a good job of producing completely "organic" hip hop- meaning no samples at all; no bands with a "dj"; no bands with a "sample guy" who hits pads and shit; no playing on top of a sampled drum break- something live that still has some integrity and shows an appreciation and understanding of golden era rap. The hip-hop band thing can go pretty corny pretty quick which is why I think most people shy away from it. Here are a few that I came up with-
EL MICHELS & RAEKWON - PJS FROM AFAR (my top pick- I think this is hot hot fire)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT91tIjPJCg
ADRIAN YOUNGE & SOULS - THERE IS ONLY NOW (I was really impressed by this entire album)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZX843E0BI8&list=PLJLCTosMQk1DXq_aY91cGX-xNVe5713Qb
ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT & ERIKAH- AFRO BLUE (not hip hop per se, but production wise...)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJW9Gw1xc7E&index=2&list=PLuPD4SNEjdvGO7OgmOxBGpBKO3rqVyjq3
COUNT BASS D- SANDWICHES (not 100% sure about this but I think he played all the instruments)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6qUDvuVB3g
MARC MAC- THE WORLD IS YOURS (Nas cover with no raps but really good production)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyzmmz6hPyE&list=PLC31E0C2E3CB7217E
I know the new Ghostface has a lot of live playing on it- I peeped it but wasn't really feeling it. Also the new Wu has RZA going all over the country and spending a ton of money to record in famous studios with session players, but from what I've heard not really worth the effort.
I'm super curious what people come up with.
Please post any really terrible stuff too, but more so interested in the good shit.
Peesh out,
-Matt
So I'm wondering, besides The Roots of course, in the post sample/drum machine-era (so no disco/boogie-rap,) who you guys think has done a good job of producing completely "organic" hip hop- meaning no samples at all; no bands with a "dj"; no bands with a "sample guy" who hits pads and shit; no playing on top of a sampled drum break- something live that still has some integrity and shows an appreciation and understanding of golden era rap. The hip-hop band thing can go pretty corny pretty quick which is why I think most people shy away from it. Here are a few that I came up with-
EL MICHELS & RAEKWON - PJS FROM AFAR (my top pick- I think this is hot hot fire)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT91tIjPJCg
ADRIAN YOUNGE & SOULS - THERE IS ONLY NOW (I was really impressed by this entire album)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZX843E0BI8&list=PLJLCTosMQk1DXq_aY91cGX-xNVe5713Qb
ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT & ERIKAH- AFRO BLUE (not hip hop per se, but production wise...)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJW9Gw1xc7E&index=2&list=PLuPD4SNEjdvGO7OgmOxBGpBKO3rqVyjq3
COUNT BASS D- SANDWICHES (not 100% sure about this but I think he played all the instruments)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6qUDvuVB3g
MARC MAC- THE WORLD IS YOURS (Nas cover with no raps but really good production)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyzmmz6hPyE&list=PLC31E0C2E3CB7217E
I know the new Ghostface has a lot of live playing on it- I peeped it but wasn't really feeling it. Also the new Wu has RZA going all over the country and spending a ton of money to record in famous studios with session players, but from what I've heard not really worth the effort.
I'm super curious what people come up with.
Please post any really terrible stuff too, but more so interested in the good shit.
Peesh out,
-Matt
