I've got my fair share of decent hip-hop...(no, not 50 cent or Eminem...)
I like the groove and musical juxtapositions created by inventive sampling. There's a whole genre of that type of stuff without any lyrics (sometimes called 'trip-hop', and big in the mid 1990s). See 'The Wiseguys', 'Propellerheads', many outfits on the Ninjatune label, etc.,....
In addition, when hip-hop vocals are done right I think that they have great percussive qualities. The best hip-hop vocalists also inject a healthy humorous edge into their lyrics (the worst take themselves far too seriously... :-( ).
Off the top of my head, my favourite vocal hip-hop albums albums:
Caveman 'Positive Reaction' (one of the best examples of UK hip-hop, and ridiculously ahead of its time in 1991). Gravediggaz 'Niggamortis' (bizarre, morbid, disturbing, engaging) - 1-800 suicide is the best track on the album. De La Soul '3 Feet High and rising' (a classic). The Beastie Boys 'Paul's Boutique' (genuinely - this is an excellent album, not at all like their dreadful earlier efforts). DJ Format 'Music for the Mature B-boy' (flying the flag for UK hip-hop - Bristol based, I think).
Dave - you were quite right to mention these. I should be more open about my love for quality hip-hop! It's probably the single genre I listen most to...
I know little about hip-hop - mainly because I see acres of crap and can't be bothered to pick out the good stuff.
It's also interesting that you put Ninjatune's output in the hip-hop camp. The stuff I knew is more drum and bass/electronica/acid jazz - I had a mate who used to use that stuff for DJing.
Fair play. There's are continuums. Ninjatune straddled several. At one stage they even had Afro funksters Antibalas on their books. Perhaps the Wall of sound label c1996 is a more clearly defined trip hop label...? Ben
hi guys, anyone listening to the ruthless rap assassins, little known uk outfit from many years ago, ahead of thier time IMO, there is always Outkast if production quality is of importance to you, aquemini and idlewild are fantastic, dipping a toe into a very eclectic mix of genres , been listening to a lot of the Stanley brothers and Ralph Stanley , love the mountain music, gots me a still out by the pig pen y'all,
Don't know rap assassins, but will check them out. I like outkast's sense of fun, but musically not quite my thing.
hi ben, yeah outkast are a bit 'popy' , production wise i find all thier lps really give my systems a work out and thier use of many genres can be a tonic when listening to a lot of old clasical or jazz recordings can become a little wearing, idlewild especially is odd and all over the place but just so much fun, all the best, matt
yeah i have quite a few Wu lps, although i dont have any of methods later stuff, i just noticed another shadow huntaz lp called dark matter, you heard it, ?, any thoughts? cheers, matt
What do you guys make of Beatie Boys 'Paul's Boutique'?
not much of a beastie boys fan but will give 'pauls boutique ' a listen',, look out for the instrumental lp they did called ,'the mix up'' ,i really like it , its got a really nice late sixties early seventies soul ,blues thing going on and the recording is superb with a good sense of the room they are jamming in, quite addictive
Paul's boutique isn't as shouty. Some good samples too. I've got a few other beastie boys albums - they're excellent for a few songs, but it's a bit in your face for everyday listening. I live their deep squelchy synth sounds - especially on the new album. Check out their new extended music vid' - cool music and amusing at the same time. Not sure why Elijah wood is playing a beastie though...
For a laugh try The Headcase lads "the butler did it". They're literally close to my musical home in south Wales. I saw them for the first time supporting black grape a few years ago, when the lead singer cane on stage my first thought was "oh no, some pissed up tramp has got in and found his way on stage. This is going to be embarrassing..." As it turned out it was very entertaining. :-D
Comments
Although Hip-hop country and western might be interesting
L-)
I like the groove and musical juxtapositions created by inventive sampling. There's a whole genre of that type of stuff without any lyrics (sometimes called 'trip-hop', and big in the mid 1990s). See 'The Wiseguys', 'Propellerheads', many outfits on the Ninjatune label, etc.,....
In addition, when hip-hop vocals are done right I think that they have great percussive qualities. The best hip-hop vocalists also inject a healthy humorous edge into their lyrics (the worst take themselves far too seriously... :-( ).
Off the top of my head, my favourite vocal hip-hop albums albums:
Caveman 'Positive Reaction' (one of the best examples of UK hip-hop, and ridiculously ahead of its time in 1991).
Gravediggaz 'Niggamortis' (bizarre, morbid, disturbing, engaging) - 1-800 suicide is the best track on the album.
De La Soul '3 Feet High and rising' (a classic).
The Beastie Boys 'Paul's Boutique' (genuinely - this is an excellent album, not at all like their dreadful earlier efforts).
DJ Format 'Music for the Mature B-boy' (flying the flag for UK hip-hop - Bristol based, I think).
Dave - you were quite right to mention these. I should be more open about my love for quality hip-hop! It's probably the single genre I listen most to...
Ben
Perhaps the Wall of sound label c1996 is a more clearly defined trip hop label...?
Ben
Mostly good. Here are a couple from it...
The Wiseguys – The Sound You Hear
Sense Live – Sweet Baby Truth
There's not much more on Spotify from WOS that I could see. A bit of DJ Food, and some more ambient stuff from Akasha...
While I'm at it here are a few others that I was listening to today relevant to this thread.
DJ Format – The Turning Point
Jurassic 5 – CONCRETE SCHOOLYARD
David Holmes – My Mate Paul
David Holmes – Don't Die Just Yet
Ben
Roots Manuva – Clockwork
there is always Outkast if production quality is of importance to you, aquemini and idlewild are fantastic, dipping a toe into a very eclectic mix of genres ,
been listening to a lot of the Stanley brothers and Ralph Stanley , love the mountain music, gots me a still out by the pig pen y'all,
I like outkast's sense of fun, but musically not quite my thing.
yeah outkast are a bit 'popy' ,
production wise i find all thier lps really give my systems a work out and thier use of many genres can be a tonic when listening to a lot of old clasical or jazz recordings can become a little wearing, idlewild especially is odd and all over the place but just so much fun,
all the best,
matt
;-) :-D
i just noticed another shadow huntaz lp called dark matter, you heard it, ?, any thoughts?
cheers,
matt
Did see Dark Matter but not heard it. Corrupt Data is special though.
I've got a few other beastie boys albums - they're excellent for a few songs, but it's a bit in your face for everyday listening. I live their deep squelchy synth sounds - especially on the new album. Check out their new extended music vid' - cool music and amusing at the same time. Not sure why Elijah wood is playing a beastie though...
For a laugh try The Headcase lads "the butler did it". They're literally close to my musical home in south Wales. I saw them for the first time supporting black grape a few years ago, when the lead singer cane on stage my first thought was "oh no, some pissed up tramp has got in and found his way on stage. This is going to be embarrassing..."
As it turned out it was very entertaining. :-D