You don’t have to be a jazz aficionado to have heard of Blue Note Records. Formed in 1939, the label has been both an important landmark in American jazz and also one of the top go-to places for sampling, particularly true where hip-hop is concerned. Jazz icons like Lou Donaldson, Ronnie Foster, and Donald Byrd have, over the years, found their way into tracks by everyone from DJ Krush to Dr. Dre, and whether the kids know it or not, have wielded much influence on hip-hop’s creative geniuses.
In early 2008, Blue Note intends to give credit where it’s due, by compiling some of its most widely sampled tracks for Droppin’ Science: Greatest Samples from the Blue Note Lab. As written in a statement from the label, “Blue Note’s aim is to re-introduce these classics to the public and to highlight the innovative ways in which [various] artists and producers utilized jazz material in their work.”
The 10-track compilation (digital and vinyl versions also include three bonus tracks) is set for release on February 12. Read on to see the compilation tracklisting, as well as what artists have sampled which tracks.
1. Lou Donaldson “It’s Your Thing” Originally on the album Hot Dog (Blue Note, 1969)
Brand Nubian “Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down” (Elektra)
De La Soul “Bitties In The BK Lounge” (Tommy Boy)
Lox “Get This $” (Bad Boy/Arista)
Real Live “Day You Die” (Pirate/Big Beat)
Madonna “I’d Rather Be Your Lover” (Warner Bros.)
2. Ronnie Foster “Mystic Brew” Originally on the album Two Headed Freap (Blue Note, 1972)
A Tribe Called Quest “Electric Relaxation” (Jive)
Rell “Real Love” (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
E.T.A. “Ayia Napa” (Flex)
3. Donald Byrd “Think Twice” Originally on the album Stepping into Tomorrow (Blue Note, 1974)
A Tribe Called Quest “Footprints” (Jive)
Main Source “Lookin At The Front Door” (Wild Pitch)
De La Soul “Simply Havin” (Tommy Boy)
DJ Krush “Big City Lover” (Instinct)
J Dilla “Think Twice” (BBE)
4. David Axelrod/David McCullum “The Edge” Originally on the album Music: A Bit More of Me (Capitol, 1968)
Dr. Dre “The Next Episode” (Aftermath/Interscope)
5. Jack McDuff “Oblighetto” Originally on the album Moon Rappin’ (Blue Note, 1969)
A Tribe Called Quest “Scenario” (Jive)
J Dilla “Oblighetto Remix” (Blue Note)
6. Joe Williams “Get Out Of My Life Woman” Originally on the album Presenting Joe Williams and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (Solid State, 1966)
Kool G Rap “Ill Street Blues” (Cold Chillin’/Warner Bros.)
Biz Markie “Funk Is Back” (Cold Chillin’/Warner Bros.)
Cadillac Tah “You Loose” (Def Jam)
Jill Scott “Brotha” (Hidden Beach)
7. Grant Green “Down Here On The Ground” Originally on the album Alive! (Blue Note, 1970)
A Tribe Called Quest “Vibes & Stuff” (Jive)
Madonna “Forbidden Love” (Boy Toy/Warner Bros.)
8. Lonnie Smith “Spinnin Wheel” Originally on the album Drives (Blue Note, 1970)
A Tribe Called Quest “Can I Kick It” (Jive)
Pete Rock And C.L. Smooth “Act Like You Know” (Elektra)
Brian Austin Green “Didn’t Have A Clue” (Yam Yum Entertainment)
9. Jeremy Steig “Howling For Judy” Originally on the album Legwork (Solid State, 1970)
Beastie Boys “Get It Together” (Capitol)
10. Lou Donaldson “Who’s Makin Love (To Your Old Lady)” Originally on the album Hot Dog (Blue Note, 1969)
Biggie Smalls “One More Chance” Remix. (Bad Boy)
Marley Marl & Craig G “Droppin Science” (Cold Chillin”/Warner Bros)
Mary J. Blige “Everyday It Rains” (Def Jams)
Bonus Tracks
11. Ronnie Laws “Tidal Wave” Originally on the album Pressure Sensitive (Blue Note, 1975)
Black Moon “Who Got The Props” (Nervous)
Jackson 5 “I Want You Back (Remix)” (Motown)
12. Monk Higgins “Little Green Apples” Originally on the album Extra Soul Perception (Solid State, 1969)
Gangstarr “Code Of The Streets” (Chrysalis/EMI)
13. Donald Byrd “Wind Parade” Originally on the album Places and Spaces (Blue Note, 1975)
Black Moon “Buck Em Down” (Nervous)
2 Pac “Definition of A Thug Nigga” (Columbia Pictures/Sony) and (Amaru/Interscope/Jive)
2 Pac “Late Night” (Interscope)
Organized Confusion “Stray Bullet” (Hollywood)
