Recommended - Rip! A Remix Manifesto

If you haven't seen it by now, here it is. The somewhat controversial doc that features remix/mash-up artist Girl Talk. It brings up some great points and information on samples, how they are/can be used, and much more. Enjoy! Also, don't forget to check out the previous recommendation, "Before The Music Dies."



There is also a pretty good article out there right now about clearing samples... "Clearing Samples."

Vintage Beat Machines Sample Pack

Akai Professional recently released vintage Beat Machines Sample Pack ($29.99). The sample pack contains samples and analog synthesis-based sounds from more than 55 different beat machines.


According to the website the sounds are from drum machines, beat and rhythm generators, and other synthesizers dating from the 1980s all the way back into the 1960s.


This sample pack works with all MPC models and contains samples and analog synthesis-based sounds from more than 55 different beat machines.




Check it out here: akaipro.com

Stax: The Soul Of Hip-Hop

Stax records is set to release "The Soul of Hip Hop, Volume I," a collection of classic tracks from the ‘60s and ‘70s offering a glimpse of hip-hop’s roots.

The Soul of Hip Hop, Volume I will be available at all digital and retail outlets on March 31, 2009.

From press release:
Apart from its undeniable influence on the hip-hop generation, Stax Records holds a pivotal place in American music history as one of the most popular soul music record labels of all time – second only to Motown in sales and influence, but first in gritty, raw, Southern-steeped soul music. In its heyday throughout the ‘60s and early ‘70s, Stax placed more than 167 hit songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 pop charts as well as a staggering 243 hits on the R&B charts.

Tracklisting:

1. 24-CARAT BLACK – “Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth”
2. THE EMOTIONS – “Blind Alley”
3. BOOKER T. & THE MGs – “Melting Pot”
4. THE BAR-KAYS – “Humpin’”
5. THE DRAMATICS – “Get Up and Get Down”
6. ISAAC HAYES – “Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic”
7. ISAAC HAYES – “Hung Up On My Baby”
8. DAVID PORTER – “I’m Afraid the Masquerade Is Over”
9. WENDY RENE – “After the Laughter (Comes Tears)”
10. CHARMELS – “As Long As I’ve Got You”
11. THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS – “Why Marry”
12. RUFUS THOMAS – “Do the Funky Penguin (Part 1)”
13. LITTLE MILTON – “Packed Up and Took My Mind”
14. WILLIAM BELL - “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”

Lawsuit: Manu Dibango

Cameroonian singer Manu Dibango filed a lawsuit in Paris against Pop artists Rihanna and Michael Jackson over a hook from his 1972 song, "Soul Makossa", being sampled without his permission. He is reportedly seeking 500,000 euros (approx. 641,000USD) in damages.


Jackson had accepted that the parts of the track were used on his "Wanna Be Starting Something" from the "Thriller" album and the singers reached a financial aggreement.


However, Rihanna obtained permission in 2007 to use on her hit single, "Don't Stop The Music", without contacting the original artist.


Dibango's lawyers have seperately asked the French courts to block labels, EMI, Warner, and SonyBMG (now Sony Music Entertainment) from recieving any income from the records until the matter is settled.


French judges are to decide if the 75-year-old Dibango's case will be heard on Feb 17.

I Have Decided To Sue Everyone Suddenly

Blues singer (and father of R&B singer Syleena Johnson) Syl Johnson reportedly in January of this year was suing Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Tupac Shakur and KRS-One – claiming they stole his 1967 single "Different Strokes" without attributing him or paying for the sample.

Well, now he is suing someone else - rap group Cypress Hill. He claims the group sampled his 1969 record "Is It Because I'm Black?" on a track from their 1993 album "Black Sunday" titled "Lock Down (Interlude)." Along with the also recent honorees of VH1's Hip Hop Honors, he is suing a number of record and publishing companies for the brief soundbyte as well.


Why all of a sudden?