I’ve been pretty good lately at getting rid of unnecessary clutter in my life… giving away clothes I don’t wear, and mostly just recognizing worthless and unusable possessions as, worthless and unusable.  In volume and weight, I’m pretty sure half of my remaining belongings are records.  For several reasons this is a category that I refuse to downsize, ask Dub Sonata or any other record collector, they understand. Thanks to producer No I.D.’s record collection, today we have possibly the funkiest tune to make it onto the EMPT stage.  Larry Ellis & The Black Hammer’s “Funky Thing Part 1″ was printed onto only a few hundred 45′s back in 1969.  The very appropriately titled record bursts out the gate with a B3 solo that captures the sound of the Hammond organ unlike any other recording of its type.  That squeal must be what caught No I.D.’s ear, especially after the quick riffs kick in.

“Let that bitch breathe.” -Jay-Z

The “Success” beat is simply started with the opening of “Funky Thing Part 1″, and as the organ slowly growls it’s way to the high note we hear a quick piece of dialogue from American Gangster. The first time the organ starts to move into the sixteenth notes, is when No I.D. programs in his first kick drums, which blend perfectly with the snare that is built into the sample.  His choice of kick and snare for this beat in my opinion is what made it work, by somehow matching the rawness of the B3.  Makes sense since No I.D. packs some of the roughest drums chops in the game (a la “D.O.A.”). We also have to acknowledge that Hov opens up his verses with an obvious interpretation of Eminem’s “I’m Back”.  If only my organ plugins sounded anything like this sample.

Larry Ellis & The Black Hammer – Funky Thing Part 1

Jay-Z ft. Nas – Success

via EMPTNYC

In true 4.20 fashion, this post is being made on 4.21.  Who’s putting in more work right now than Dub Sonata?  After the wide spread success of Nights In Cuba, Dub is back already with another highly potent instrumental project, Bluntitled.  It’s the musical equivalent of that kush/sour/purple haze L. Anyway, you already know EMPT got the exclusive release, ’cause thats how we move.  Check out the title track below, and support the man himself by purchasing the 5 track EP on iTunes.

Dub Sonata – Bluntitled

Sorry for the delay ‘yall, real life came in the way of internet life as it sometimes does.  Moving along…when it comes to arguing about the most influential hip-hop albums of all time, Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” is in the discussion.  This classic project truly re-defined the New York lingo when it came to that gangsta shit.  Wu-Tang solo albums always feature songs with other group members, giving these projects a collaborative feel. As a whole, the Wu has incredible chemistry, but the tandem of Ghostface and Raekwon is unparalleled. The work they have put in over the years has been remarkable, but Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is what really separates their legacy from the rest of the pack. Cuban Linx is a unique album in the sense that it is recorded like an old school gangster flick with Raekwon as the “star” and Ghostface as the “co-star”. Ghost and Rae take listeners on a sonic journey through the trials and tribulations of a crime syndicate, starting as small time hustlers and working their way to the top of the underworld.  Cinematic.

When it comes to influential hip-hop producers, no one can argue against RZA being amongst the top echelon.  Like many Wu classics “Criminology” is made up of two different samples.  The beat comes in using a triumphant horn loop from the funky “I Keep Asking You Questions” by Black Ivory.  RZA skillfully fades this part out while simultaneously bringing in the Sweet Inspiration chops that he uses for the verses.  The verses pretty much contain simple bell chops and the grimy Wu drums that we would expect. Wu Tang is forever. (K.Casey/P.Walsh)

Rakewon – Criminology

Black Ivory – I Keep Asking You Questions

The Sweet Inspirations – Why Marry

Fairly unknown singer/musician Clarence Reid put out a few dope albums in the early 70′s.  Running Water is a great mix of funk and soul with phenomenal instrumentation throughout.  The title track is more on the soulful tip, and is driven by great organ and piano combined with strong horn sections.  The eight minute arrangement rides up and down through different levels of emotion, finally peaking at the end with chants of “the beat is getting stronger”.  Add some rare 70′s into your day, it flows like running water.

Clarence Reid – Like Running Water

Here’s a track off the upcoming War Report 2 featuring the L-O-X (clean version for now).  This group of MCs on one record is a guaranteed win, plus its produced by the homey Scram Jones.  Everything I’ve heard thus far from this project indicates that a modern street classic is on the way.

CNN ft. The LOX – Bodega Stories

About time we funked things up a bit.  Kool & The Gang are as veteran as they come, dropping a total of 24 studio albums, in a span of 38 years (1969-2007).  Their music went through many phases throughout this time, including jazz, funk, R&B, and eventually pop.  They will forever be linked to hip hop from their record “Hollywood Swingin,” which provides the famous horns used in DJ Kool’s “Let Me Clear My Throat” and Mase’s “Feel So Good.”  One of my favorite of their records is lesser known “Love The Life You Live,” which was the single off of their 1972 album Music is The Message.  The titles says it all.

Kool & The Gang – Love The Life You Live

BONUS: Kool & The Gang – Hollywood Swinging

I think I tend to gravitate towards any song telling me I’m gon’ make it.  Even though from my experiences, the “starting all over again” technique to fix troubled relationships has not made it … fuck it, I still enjoy this record.  Groove feels right.

Gwen McCrae – Starting All Over Again

“The Burning of the Midnight Lamp” was one of the first records on which Jimi used the wah-wah effect, something that eventually became a regular element in his style of play.  This was also one of the only records on which he played keyboard as well.

Jimi Hendrix – The Burning of the Midnight Lamp

When you have actual band members being shipped out to war, songs like this have even deeper meaning.  This was the case in the late 60′s with George Clinton’s band Parliament.  Almost 40 years later, it still holds relevance – thats not a good thing.  ”The President’s talking bout a change…”

Parliament – Come In Out of the Rain

You don’t need vocals when your band grooves together like this.  Cheers to great musicianship.  

The Meters – Groovy Lady

The Meters – Children’s World (Live)