By Waxpoetics
BlogSampling
By Tracklib
Samples Kanye & Pharrell used on Pusha T’s ‘It’s Almost Dry’
Two decades ago, the Neptunes shaped highly original and experimental-minded beats for Clipse. On Pusha T’s long-awaited record ‘It’s Almost Dry,’ Pharrell Williams honors that legacy, with Kanye West handling the other half of the production duties—we dissect two of the beats.By DannyVeekens
100 Years of Les Baxter: Sample Exotica & Space-Age Sounds
"Any good music must be an innovation," composer and musician Les Baxter once said. He pioneered the easy-listening genre of exotica, crafted space-inspired compositions with a theremin in 1947, and made Moog Rock and over 150 soundtracks that would later be sampled by the likes of MF DOOM, Beastie Boys, Ghostface Killah, and Eminem.By Tracklib
So Wassup? Sample Like DJ Premier (Sample Breakdowns & Collections)
DJ Premier's unparalleled video series 'So Wassup?' is a goldmine of sampling know-how, anecdotes, and first-hand studio insights. To celebrate the greatness of Preemo, we break down some of his greatest non-Gang Starr productions for Mos Def, Nas, D'Angelo... and Christina Aguilera.By Tracklib
Sample Members of Herbie Hancock’s Sextet & Sun Ra Arkestra
Jazz trumpet player extraordinaire Eddie Henderson (The Herbie Hancock Sextet) and the late legendary contrabassist Juini Booth (Sun Ra Arkestra) are both part of the quartet on 'Silver,' a record by Swedish-Turkish saxophone player Ilhan Ersahin.By Tracklib
All Samples on Kanye West’s Graduation—and a collection to sample like Ye
From Steely Dan's yacht rock to Labi Siffre chops: this Sample Breakdown video takes you on a sonic trip through Kanye West’s ‘Graduation’ album in its entirety. Including two collections to sample like “the old Kanye, chop-up-the-soul Kanye” yourself.By DannyVeekens
The Jazz & Samples on De La Soul's 'Buhloone Mindstate'
It hopefully won’t be long before De La Soul’s catalog finally hits streaming platforms. 'Buhloone Mindstate,' their last Prince Paul-produced album, features - as per usual - a ton of samples. But the 1993 record also features three greats in jazz/funk: Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley & Pee Wee Ellis, who all contribute to a fresh, free-spirited sound.By Tracklib
Hottest Flips 2021: Young M.A, Kenny Beats, Brockhampton, A-Trak, Vince Staples, TSHA & more
This retrospective digging into this year’s ‘Hottest Flips’ blows us away. Not because of the Tracklib samples that were used. More importantly: because all producers have truly outdone themselves this year. This selection looks back at some of the finest flips of 2021, with first-hand production insights by all beatmakers.By Tracklib
A Clash of Jazz, Dub & Glitch by Saxophonist/Producer Mike Casey
Saxophone player Mike Casey was part of our feature 'Giant Steps: A New Wave of Jazz (and Beyond)' last year. With multitracks for his new 'Law of Attraction: The Remixes' release now available on Tracklib, we checked back in to talk about jazz, sampling, and his own background in beatmaking.By DannyVeekens
A Ton of Multitracks by Ambient Jazz Ensemble
Inspired by Brian Eno, Gil Evans, and early Weather Report, and often compared to David Axelrod and Bob James: this is Ambient Jazz Ensemble. The electronic jazz and orchestral, large-scale soundscapes by a fifteen-piece orchestra feel like cinematic scores. Two albums worth of multitracks on Tracklib allow for deep digs...By Tracklib
30+ Multitracks of Drumma Boy's 'EDM Trap'
Besides producing for the likes of OutKast, Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, E-40, and Scarface, Atlanta producer Drumma Boy also makes beats on an EDM tip. His latest, “Do It Look Like I Give A Fuck,” is now ready to be sampled on Tracklib with 37 multitracks.By Tracklib
Beats and Breaks by The 45 King
He produced Eminem's 'Stan,' Jay-Z's 'Hard Knock Life,' Queen Latifah's 'Ladies First,' the iconic ‘The 900 Number,’ and was allegedly uncredited for old school hits by Fab Five Freddy and X-Clan. As his Tuff City debut in 1988 implies, DJ Mark the 45 King is a real “Master of the Game.”By Tracklib
Golden-Era Sounds by L.A. Funk/Soul Collective El Trappo
Using vintage gear and tape machines, El Trappo creates music tailor-made for sampling. The L.A.-based collective consists of multi-instrumentalists and studio musicians who have worked with artists such as Seal, Biz Markie, and Panic! At The Disco.By DannyVeekens
A New Wave of Soul And Sampling
Not just hip-hop producers keep reviving the golden decade of 60s and 70s soul, one sample flip at a time. A new wave of soul artists keeps the strong spirit of the music going. With on Tracklib, music ranging from psychedelic-tinged recordings to a multi-instrumentalist’s take on funk-driven backing bands.By Waxpoetics
Re:Discovery: Dave Hamilton
Re:Discovery is a series, brought to you by Wax Poetics, focusing on exploring forgotten classics and rare records with a special story to tell. In this feature: the rise and fall of Dave Hamilton, member of the legendary 'Funk Brothers' who propelled Motown Records' iconic sound.By DannyVeekens
Sample New Lo-fi, Soul & Jazz by German producer Shuko and keyboardist BASTi
With an A-list of production duties for the likes of Nipsey Hussle, Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, Snoop Dogg & more, German producer evolved from a self-described "sucker for 90s samplers and vintage synths" to a big name in beatmaking. Even more so after signing to Timbaland's Mono Music Group in 2019. His new Tracklib EP with keyboardist BASTi offers four sample-ready tracks, ranging from lo-fi vibes to jazzy keys.By Waxpoetics
Re:Discovery: The 'Gangster Boogie'
Re:Discovery is a series, brought to you by Wax Poetics, focusing on exploring forgotten classics and rare records with a special story to tell. In this feature: how an Ohio based family band turned into the "Chicago Gangsters" and recorded the breakdancer’s staple "Gangster Boogie".By Tracklib
Time for a Refill: 100+ More Bob James Songs Now Added
We figured the diggers out there who want to go even deeper must be thirsty for a refill… So we added hundred-plus more songs by Bob James to our catalog. From collaborations to music as sampled by Erick Sermon, Masta Ace, Jeru the Damaja & others.By DannyVeekens
The Psychedelic Edge of Trummor & Orgel
The Swedish moniker of Trummor & Orgel is self-explanatory: Staffan Ljunggren on drums (‘Trummor’) and Anders Ljunggren on the organ (‘Orgel’). Two men, two instruments. Creating a 60s psychedelic-tinged instrumental blend of pop, jazz, funk, rock, and other hints that find way to their drum kit and Hammond organ.By DannyVeekens
Talking Breaks, Loops & Sampling with Swedish band Damn!
Damn! plays funk, soul, afrobeat & hip-hop, and is the live backing band for Timbuktu, one of Sweden’s biggest rappers. With a ton of multitracks newly available, Tracklib checked in with singer, guitarist & percussionist Svante Lodén to talk about the band’s grooves and love for loops.By DannyVeekens
Sample Iconic Jazz-Funk by Bob James on Tracklib
Sampling classic, and hip-hop building block, ‘Nautilus’ is only one of twenty-plus tracks by Bob James that are now made available on Tracklib for sampling. For the first time ever! The 18-time Grammy-nominated also share stories around his biggest songs and the hits sampling his work.By Tracklib
Learn How to Sample like J Dilla, Madlib, Kanye West, 9th Wonder & Nujabes
Hip-hop is a culture and a movement, rather than just a genre. Built upon versioning, reworking and influencing one another to create an ever-expanding phenomenon. We've teamed up with producer, teacher and guru JFilt of Verysickbeats to help evolve your sampling techniques—by learning from the icons!By Tracklib
Faces & Places Behind Kanye West’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of Kanye West’s magnum opus, ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,’ this overview shines a light on some of the people behind the album. From the main producers to the hidden ones with a smaller role in its creation. Connected through samples, nice-to-know facts & first-hand anecdotes.By Tracklib
The Electro-Funk of Planet Patrol
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force’s “Planet Rock” forever changed the face of hip-hop, and set off an ongoing search for the perfect beat. “Planet Rock” producer Arthur Baker extended that quest, and returned to the 24–track tape machine to use parts that didn’t make the final cut of “Planet Rock” for another track. One that set off an outfit called Planet Patrol.By DannyVeekens
The Honey-Drippin’ Backbone of Hip-Hop
Roy C. Hammond was the lead singer of The Genies, a 50s vocal doo-wop group later signed by acclaimed record producer Bob Shad. But his most iconic work was not done as a lead, but on the background: founding The Honey Drippers, who made one of the most sampled tracks in history: “Impeach The President.”By DannyVeekens
Songwriting for The King: Giant-Baum-Kaye
Bill Giant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kaye formed a well-oiled songwriting machine in the 60s. They wrote over 40 songs for Elvis Presley, the soundtrack of Kimba The White Lion, and a number #1 song from the 50s - later covered by jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal.By DannyVeekens
The Weird World of Blowfly
The self-proclaimed maker of the very first rap song. The “original nasty rapper, porno freak and inventor of the Miami Sound.” The first black president. The “porno funk” by parodist and cultural icon Blowfly is full of wild claims, and even raunchier references. With a catalog full of sex, filth & fuckery.By DannyVeekens
Les Baxter's Tropical Trips & Space Escapades
Pianist and composer Les Baxter was a pioneer in exotica. The music genre brings together easy-listening with rhythms and styles from Africa, South America, and Polynesian islands such as Hawaii and Fiji. In the 50s, Les Baxter was one of the first to ever do it, further experimenting and developing the genre from there.By Tracklib
Sample Multitracks from Chords' new Beat Tape
A release on cassette is as old school as it gets. But the new ‘Poisson Noir_sans bars’ tape by Swedish hip-hop heavyweight Chords is actually the first in its kind: on top of the digital release, multitracks are made available right away for sampling. A groundbreaking way to flip the script for sampling: music made for everyone.By DannyVeekens
Funky Monkey Business
Layering loops was the foundation for Funky Monkey in the early 90s, resulting in twenty-four years of making 70s-influenced electronic music, funk & downtempo. Now their own music is made available for sampling. Passing on the groove to the next funky monkey in line.By fimpen
Can you guess the song from the sample?
Chopping samples is a true art form. Taking parts of an old song and rearranging the sounds like a puzzle to create something completely new is a craft that needs to be respected and honored. In this new video series, we're visualizing how some great songs were made.By DannyVeekens
Interview: J-Live
J-Live is a rare breed: rapper, producer, DJ, former teacher—and he has mastered all of them. A few times backed by greats like DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Pete Rock & DJ Spinna. And other times handling production duties himself, such as on his newest release, 'At The Date Of This Writing.'By Tracklib VIP
1.5 Years of Tracklib - Video Recap
Time flies when you’re having fun. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year and a half since we launched Tracklib. And oh what a ride it’s been. Thanks to everyone one that has been a part of the journey so far. And we’re only just getting started.By DannyVeekens