Cody B
Cody B
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HHT:Shaolin-Memphis Connection

Posted almost 4 years ago

When I first heard Wu-Tang I was really impressed with the production. RZA's soundscapes were these spare,bleak,and cinematic collages that kinda reminded me of Blade Runner. He's gone on to bring that flavor to many motion pictures, where it seems to fit perfectly.

I guess it is even more of a testament to RZA's Kung Fu on the decks that the futuristic sounds he creates are made with a huge grip of southern soul records made in the late 60's and early 70's.A bunch of these templates can be found on Shaolin Soul, which besides recalling Wu Tang cuts makes a nice little addition to any Stax and Hi record collection. So follow the dots from Memphis to Staten Island, some cream skimmed from one of the souths most soulful cities used by the C.R.E.A.M of Shaolin producers.

Check Comments for New Birth's-Honeybee,David Porter's-I'm Afriad the Masquerade is Over, and Ann Peebles'-Trouble,Heartache and Sadness, and know for sure that The RZA has a black belt in sampling.

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Comments (24)

  1. Cody B
    Cody B says New Birth - Honeybee sampled for Wu Tang's, Clan In Da Front ~nHZvMiigk3d.mp3~ David Porter - I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over sampled for GZA-Duel Of The Iron Mic ~DOSmd0iQaEJ.mp3~ Ann Peebles - Trouble,Heartache, and Sadness sampled for GZA/Method Man's, Shadow Boxin' and RZA's, Throw Your Flag Up ~UNiWGkcsiI3.mp3~
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  2. Oatmeal
    Oatmeal says Yeas, this is what I have been waiting for, some Wu love on Thursdays. Informative and generous as always Cody!
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  3. Cody B
    Cody B says No problem, Oat..you know I love this stuff. Will this be your first hometown jazzfest this year? Whether or Not,enjoy!
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  4. Oatmeal
    Oatmeal says First one, and I am aghast that exams directly coincide. At least my wife will get to go. Ugh.
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  5. Lyrikhan
    Lyrikhan says nice one Cody funny to hear these songs when I'm so used to the Wu tracks....i expect Rza or Gza to bust in at any moment
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  6. Cody B
    Cody B says Bummer Amiel..you gotta sneak out for a study break.. Lyrik, He chopped these up real good didn't he? George Jackson -Aretha, Sing One For Me sampled for Ghostface's- Child's Play ~ScZyVaR66hA.mp3~
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  7. Hermes
    Hermes says I always forget, what a HipHop wizard you are, as I associate you more with funk and soul. I never was really into Wu-Tang, though a friend wanted to evangelize me. But I also must admit, that I listend just to one or two albums of them so far. I guess, I should make a second try. Very nice contribution to HHT.
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  8. Cody B
    Cody B says Some say the Wu solo records are the real bangers, but I will let the real heads suggest what the best of those might be..I know there's quite a few Ghostface fans out there..and Method Man..and GZA..
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  9. runobodyii
    runobodyii says You're a true scholar, Dr. B. Thank you.
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  10. Sturgell
    Sturgell says A scholar and a gentleman!
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  11. timm
    timm says Great post. Hearing the sources on those samples makes me all the more impressed by RZA. Great ears on that guy. If you're lookin to get into the Wu, might I suggest... 36 Chambers, GZA's Liquid Swords, & Ghostface's Ironman. Or see them live and watch Method Man rap while standing upright on fans outstretched hands!

    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  12. scotfree
    scotfree says see now, never woulda gave this a shot without your shout. nice. that Ann Peebles is rippin'!
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  13. Cody B
    Cody B says Thanks timm..36 I got, Method I got, and I guess i need the rest too..cool vid. Run-bod- I hit the books pretty hard in early grades of hip hop, but I slipped hard in the late 90's. I didn't sleep on the Wu, but I certainly didn't give 'em the proper attention. 'preciate that Mr. (willie) Sturgell..We are family. Syl Johnson - Could I Be Falling In Love from Raekwon's Heaven and Hell ~y19r6xm025s.mp3~
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  14. Spike
    Spike says Also that Ann Peebles is crackin'! Fly even. Syl Johnson seems to have the Hi sound as well. Plus George Jackson's song is a keeper. Proudly old-school here.
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  15. Mike the Knife
    Mike the Knife says What a Wu-tangy collection! A nice sampler, if you will...
    Permalink posted 03/27/2008
  16. Cody B
    Cody B says Whitman's Wu-Tang Box O'Choclate Funk, Mike. Right On.. Me too, Spike..as if we all didn't know that..If not I guess the 5 soul to 1 hip hop ratio might also give me away.
    Permalink posted 03/28/2008
  17. poebegone
    poebegone says great post, Cody. knew hiphop + shaolin had to be Wu-Tang-related. feelin' Ms. Peebles' number most of all. New Birth, too!
    Permalink posted 03/29/2008
  18. Cody B
    Cody B says True indeed, Illady..Ann's is my fave tune here. New Birth as a tune is just OK, but the bees and the bass are sweet and D. Porter doin' that tune ( a 30's or 40's show tune) is kinda funny. I find it amazing a crate digger sat through it all to get what they got..
    Permalink posted 03/30/2008
  19. ivylander
    ivylander says Why couldn't my music appreciation class in college been as fun as this? Thanks for making us all not only smarter, but funkier too. That David Porter is an especially strong find - I didn't see that sound coming at all...
    Permalink posted 03/30/2008
  20. Cody B
    Cody B says Ivy, I think David was trying to get some of that epic Ike orchestral magic going..rap and all. I guess it is pretty cool, if not a little much. I guess that's my failing though, since I don't have any problems when Black Moses does it and David only orchestralizes for 4 and half minutes.
    Permalink posted 03/30/2008
  21. ivylander
    ivylander says The grand excess is what's making it for me - it's not as great as he wants it to be, but it's unfailingly interesting....
    Permalink posted 03/30/2008
  22. coozdrm
    coozdrm says AWESOME.
    Permalink posted 04/02/2008
  23. Oatmeal
    Oatmeal says Way late here, but all the first few solos are great. Raekwon's is totally classic but is more gangster than noir. GZA, Method, ODB debuts were great too. ODB was just funny. Ghost's first had some great stuff too. But after the collective's double album I stopped paying attention. 36 chambers is the best though, followed by Liquid Swords, Raekwon, and Method Man (in my book). I never liked the RZA/Bobby Digital stuff much, he rhyming was off the wall. I was a pretty dedicated Wu head for a while.
    Permalink posted 04/02/2008
  24. Cody B
    Cody B says I'm slowly but surely gathering all the Wu..I love listening to these records out of the context of their hype and newness..I'm like a snail, I eventually get there..
    Permalink posted 04/03/2008

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