To loop or not to loop?

Whilst working on my forthcoming beat tape I've hit a conundrum that bugs me about most production styles I hear lately.

Chopping of samples. Now some do it really well, others not. For instance, I can appreciate the effort the likes of Samiyam etc. put into their work, but it's glitchy-ness (for lack of a better word) reminds me more of Four Tet than Dilla, the latter who didn't chop samples as much as some people think.

I'm of the opinion that as I'm doing this on my own and currently have no emcees or singers to work with, if I find a dope loop, I'm gonna rock the dope loop. Or at least chop it well enough to sound like a loop.

Stabs on the other hand are a different matter.

Leaders Of The New School film

My man Pritt from King of the Beats got back from a recent trip to NYC. Now I've been trying to get the dl on what records he bought but it seems as though all was not pleasure. He had some business to take care of through the legend that is DJ Johnny Juice.

So, check this flick out (if I've managed to embed it properly!) and rejoice in the fact that through P's hard work Dinco D, Charlie Brown and Milo are back together and currently hooking new shit up.

lons Film

Summat that influenced my decision

To make beats. Just a little something to give you (whoever you are) an idea of the sort of gear I'm into and the kind of hip hop I'm hoping to make.

This album was released in 2005 but in my eyes has yet to be surpassed in the 'introspective hip hop' stakes first established by Lewis Parker on the classic Masquerades and Silhouettes. Kicking off your album with Humarak Da Gritty over the Hadd Mondjam El drums is a surefire way to prick these ears up, but beleive me the rest of the record is just as dope. Goldie Lookin' Chain finish it off with as far as I know ( I can't be bothered to Google it) the only outside appearance they made. It's still kinda funny though, with the 'cunt'fuck, tits, shit, arse, wank, bollocks' line still stuck in my craw after 4 years. If you like UK stuff with dope production, this is not a bad place to start.

1. Humurak Da Gritty - Rags
2. Lewis Parker - High Stakes
3. Clarity - Discovery Channel
4. Xeno - Defenders Of The Art
5. Defisis - if I Look Familiar
5. Jehst - Turn It Up To The Red
6. TaskForce - Valley Of The Crows
7. Rola - Weight Upon My Shoulders
8. Sway Dasafo - Stalker
9. Conrad Watts - Tell Me
10. Blaktrix - How Do You Do Yours
11. Goldie Lookin' Chain - Famous As Fuck

link in comments.

First attempt at a blog.

First post so nothing interesting to say except keep your eyes peeled for ruminations and disseminations on the making of what I hope will be a fine piece of music. Plus I'll share some of my record finds with you, even though most of them are probably already available on the internet.

Laters