Base FM - Pete Rock Interview

Got an interview down with legendary hip-hop producer Pete Rock a couple weeks ago.

Had to get a bit of post-pro done before I hit it up on Mixcloud, but here it is now for a listen.

No insane revelations, but a focus on his production with tracks from his back catalogue as well as touching on the subject of his cousin Heavy D who coincidentally passed away yesterday at the WAY too young age of 44.

Rest in peace Heavy D.

Base FM Interview - Pete Rock by Djdanpaine on Mixcloud

Sample & Flip #7

Who dat?! Why it's Keni Burke of course. 

Read the 'T' fool.

Well, first 'Sample & Flip' of 2011 and my is it a goodie!

Not only are the following some killer jams, but they are among my fave tracks ever. Lets kick this off.

'Rising To the Top' by Keni Burke is a stone-cold classic. That bass line, keys, piano, smooth as fuck vocals...

Rick James, ahhh RICK JAMES. Crazy party-monster funk-bass legend. The Mary Jane Girls were his protegees.

He was behind the (probably literally on many nights) on this party heavy-hitter. Even better, here is the live Top of the Pops version from 1983...

Now if you aint' already lickin' your lips, then you better, cos' you have a lot of lickin' to do before you can out do the master, LL Cool J!

Marley Marl put in one of his best all round production efforts on LL's super-dope LP from 1990, 'Mama Said Knock You Out'; actually his last great record.

All-time jam 'Around the Way Girl' utilises them Keni Burke samples masterfully. Even better, here's classic footage of LL performing on Arsenio.

Check it...

Arguably one of the best hip-hop producers ever, Pete Rock was without a doubt at the peak of his production powers on 1994's 'The Main Ingredient' LP.

NOBODY has flipped the chorus piano riff from 'Risin' To The Top' as well as Pete did on this one; 'Take You There'.

Here's the original video in real 90's style.

Meanest!...

And just cos' he's one of the best contemporary producers around, let's put a full stop on this installment with Madlib's 'Pyramids'.

There-it-is.

Monday Five - 29th November, 2010

It's a magic sprinkles number 5 today.

Got our gig with Japan's legendary turntablist DJ Krush this Saturday, so it's also a DJ Krush top 5; in no particular order and by no means definitve. 

That would just be too damn hard for a Monday!

One. DJ Krush - Song 1

Two. Pete Rock feat. CL Smooth - 'Only the Strong Survive' (DJ Krush Remix)

Three. DJ Krush - 'Big City Lover' 

Four. DJ Krush - 'Duality'

Five. Method Man - 'Break Ups to Make Ups' (DJ Krush Remix)

And while we're at it, here's some dope footage of the man doing his thing live last year in the Czech Republic.

Pete Rock Interview @ Metallungies

Just came across and read a brief but informative interview with the legendary Pete Rock on Metallurgies.

Lots of interesting bits on what he has been up to production wise, from Smif N' Wessun to Kanye West.

Also, I did not know that Pete produced (or at least came up with the idea for) 'Juicy' by Biggie Smalls!

Anyhow, read for ya'self HERE.

Monday Five - 25th October, 2010

Long weekend jams...

One. The Jackson 5 - '2-4-6-8'

Two. Lloyd Miller & The Heliocentrics - 'Pari Ru'

Three. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - 'Appreciate'

Four. Cypress Hill - 'Black Sunday'

Five. Karriem Riggins Live at Hella International - Stonesthrow Podcast

DJ Premier VS. Pete Rock x Tokyo

DL - PETE ROCK VS. DJ PREMIER - TOKYO BATTLE, 2010

Man i've been a busy boy and blogging has taken a back seat for the last couple of weeks.

BUT, I had to make time post this when I stumbled upon the DL link!

Arguably the two greatest hip-hop producers of all-time (just quietly my vote goes to Dilla) battled in Ebisu a district of Tokyo City in May this year.

I was staying in Ebisu until April 23rd so I was dismayed to say the least when I realised I was gonna miss this jam and the Stonesthrow showcase that was happening a few days earlier.

Anyhow, the next best thing is to get our wax-holders on to the recording of this historical event, right?!

Right on brothers. 

Enjoy.

Sample & Flip #2

What do Bob Dylan, David T. Walker, Ministry, People Under the Stairs, and INI have in common?