Samples Used By Massive Attack Compilation Released in a Compilation

Massive Attack was one of the architects of a Trip-Hop scene that was a rare bright spot in ’90s music. !K7/Rapster Records has just released a compilation called Protected: Massive Samples, which highlights the sample sources that Massive Attack used to create some of their best-known work.

Even though there might be some obscurantists who would object to the idea of a compilation that does the “crate digging” for a wider audience, I’m a real fan of the concept. Massive Samples (and compilations like it) emphasize an under-appreciated benefit of artists using sampled music — what I like to think of as the “Trail of Breadcrumbs” effect. Now more than ever, interested music lovers can follow a clear path back to the sources and influences that undergird the songs and artists they like.

While you contemplate that little nugget, get your groove going with one of the tracks featured in this collection:
Be Thankful For What You Got (William De Vaughn)

Why Am I Not In Argentina Right Now?

It’s been less than two months since returning from Argentina to the nearly unrelenting sub-zero temperatures of New York.

In other words, two months of checking the weather report in Buenos Aires, remembering the crispy perfection of a good empanada, and weeping quietly to myself as South American friends post their pictures from the beach on Facebook.

Here are two things that I’m using to ease my transition back to the North American tundra:

[Read more…]

Agitprop with a beat to kick off the weekend. Me likey!

Agitprop with a beat to kick off the weekend. Me likey!

N.A.S.A. (North America/South America) is a collaboration between producer Squeak E. Clean  (Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon (Ze Gonzales). Their new album “Spirit of Apollo” features the contributions of some talented musicians and visual artists that you might have heard of… 😉

Check out this track list!:

  1. Intro
  2. The People Tree (feat. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift Of Gab & Z-Trip)
  3. Money (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip)
  4. N.A.S.A. Music (feat. Method Man, E-40, & DJ Swamp)
  5. Way Down (feat. RZA, Barbie Hatch, & John Frusciante)
  6. Hip Hop (feat. KRS-One, Fatlip, & Slim Kid Tre)
  7. Four Rooms, Earth View
  8. Strange Enough (feat. Karen O, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, & Fatlip)
  9. Spacious Thoughts (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)
  10. Gifted (feat. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li)
  11. A Volta (feat. Sizzla, Amanda Blank, & Lovefoxxx)
  12. There’s A Party (feat. George Clinton & Chali 2na)
  13. Whachadoin? (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santo Gold, & Nick Zinner)
  14. O Pato (feat. Kool Kojak & DJ Babão)
  15. Samba Soul (feat. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & DJ Qbert)
  16. The Mayor (feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, Scarface & DJ AM)
  17. N.A.S.A. Anthem

Visual elements and animated music videos for several of The Spirit of Apollo’s tracks are starting to leak out, with artists such as Shepard Fairey (see above video), Sage Vaughn, Barry McGee, Marcel Dzama and others throwing their aesthetic hats into the mix.

You can preorder it on Amazon or from the iTunes store now. Check out Squeak E. Clean’s Blog or the group’s MySpace page for more samples and information.

This could be interesting…
NIN and Janes?

NIN and Jane's?

UPDATE:
LOOKS LIKE THE RUMORS ARE TRUE! Click Here for More Details.

From Rolling Stone — Trent Reznor Producing New Janes Addiction?:

“Over the past few days, Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor has been posting clues on his blog alluding to a new project. The photos, posted under the title ‘a look at something else that’s going on,’ have obsessive fans frantically attempting to unravel the puzzle. (Some superfan went as far as to look at the iPhone coordinates pictured on one image and pinpoint the location of a studio.)

The first picture was a photo of Reznor, producer Alan Moulder and NIN veteran-programmer Atticus Ross, leaning over a mixing console. Next came a picture of Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery working on a lap top, then Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, and today we’re treated to a picture of Reznor in the studio with Dave Navarro, guitarist for Jane’s Addiction.”