Action Bronson - Shiraz (2011) sampled Brother Jack McDuff - The Shadow Of Your Smile (1967)

Artist:  Action Bronson
Song:  Shiraz
Year:  2011
Album:  Dr. Lecter

Happy Birthday to my good friend RGH.  I need to thank him for introducing me to Action Bronson's music last year.  Action reminds me of Ghostface Killah with his laser-beam vocals.  I think he's my favourite new Emcee of the decade.

Artist:  Da King & I
Song:  Ghetto Instinct
Year:  1993
Album:  Contemporary Jeep Music

I remember seeing ads in The Source magazine for Rowdy Records that were marketing Da King & I with Y'all So Stupid.  Those groups seem like an odd pairing now.  I always felt like these guys didn't get their due recognition because this is a good album from the Golden Era of Hip-hop.

Artist:  Brother Jack McDuff
Song:  The Shadow Of Your Smile
Year:  1967
Album:  Tobacco Road

Brother Jack McDuff is the man who gave "Scenario" to A Tribe Called Quest and "Son Get Wrec" to Black Moon (thanks for the knowledge Tim!)  The Shadow Of Your Smile is one of those songs that multiple jazz artists have played.  I have never heard a version that I didn't like.  Da King & I used the loop at 0:00 and filtered the flute out for most of the song.  Action Bronson used more samples: the same one as Da King & I, followed by the samples at 0:05 and 0:15.

No I.D. - State To State (Pimp Remix) (1998) sampled The Brothers Johnson - Thunder Thumbs And Lightnin' Licks (1976)

Artist:  No I.D.
Song:  State To State (Pimp Remix)
Year:  1998
Album:  State To State (Remixes) 12-Inch Single

Happy one-year anniversary of this blog.  Hope you're looking forward to year 2.  Here we have some of Chicago's finest.  I've always considered No I.D. to be grown-man rap, especially when Common and Dug Infinite are on the track.

Artist:  The Reepz
Song:  Take The Train
Year:  1998
Album:  U-N-I VS. ALL featuring the UNIVERSAL emcees

Universal Records put out U-N-I VS. ALL, clever.  Does anyone remember an Emcee named Pirate?  He brought the first verse here, was associated with Tracey Lee, sounded a little like Q-Tip and wore a patch over his left eye.  The Reepz was his crew and the video for this song was amusing.  It's too bad I never heard much more from Pirate, I'd like a solo album.  This is a decent compilation, where else would you find Panama P.I., Canibus and Rakim together?

Artist:  The Brothers Johnson
Song:  Thunder Thumbs And Lightnin' Licks
Year:  1976
Album:  Look Out For #1

This album cover rocks!  The first time I heard this song, I was just casually listening and then the sample just hit me over the head when it dropped at 2:07.