Saafir - Can-U-Feel-Me? (1994) sampled Donald Byrd - I Love The Girl (1975)

Artist:  Saafir
Song:  Can-U-Feel-Me?
Year:  1994
Album:  Boxcar Sessions

I was Just Riden' around the city with my friends and these two guys, Dennis and Tim.  Tim pulls out a cassette by Saafir.  I had heard Light Sleeper the previous summer but this song hooked me.  Anybody remember the name of Saafir's producer and DJ?  Jay-Z.

Artist:  Donald Byrd
Song:  I Love The Girl
Year:  1975
Album:  Stepping Into Tomorrow

Donald Byrd, word.  Still sounds great 36 years later.  The music for Saafir's song is the loop that starts at 0:25.  The sample was slowed down and mixed with some nice drums.

Casual - Be Thousand (1994) sampled Jimmy Smith - 2nd Movement: Ritual (1973)

Artist:  Casual
Song:  Be Thousand
Year:  1994
Album:  Fear Itself

I used to be a rampant Hieroglyphics fan, I even liked Extra Prolific's 2nd album, 2 For 15.  But when I think back, the most classic album put out by the crew was Casual's "Fear Itself".  One of my favourite moments in history was the Casual vs. Saafir battle in 1994 on KMEL's The Wake Up Show with Sway and King Tech.  This month I will celebrate these two emcees.

Artist:  Jimmy Smith
Song:  2nd Movement: Ritual
Year:  1973
Album:  Portuguese Soul

The sample appears at the 0:06 mark.  The song is in a 5/4 time signature.  Casual used the first 4 beats of the loop to convert it into 4/4 time.  I also like when 3/4 loops repeat a beat to convert to 4/4.  Emcees rhyming in 5/4 or 3/4 would be even better.