For this Golden Age Thursday, we have yet another example of a composition so potent and intoxicating that multiple parts have been used throughout Hip-hop history. These special types of tunes offer a rare, detailed look into the varying styles of some of the most recognizable producers the genre has produced, a chance to unearth nuances of their singularity. Ironically, the song we have for you on this beautiful Thursday does the same, as a legendary keyboardist steps into the blinding almighty solo spotlight and emerges with a piece of fusion mastery that can be heard as far back as 1986 and as recently as 2015.
In the early seventies, Bob James, a known keyboardist and producer associated with the likes of Grover Washington Jr. and Milt Jackson, was invited to record a solo album. After the runaway success of One, James made the logical move and set out to release Two, which arrived via CTI Records in May of 1975. The album opener, “Take Me to the Mardi Gras,” is a funky, percussion-heavy groove that underpins the vocals of N.W.A., Run-DMC, and A$AP Rocky. The irresistible hit from the mighty album, despite its jovial demeanor, has been reshaped into gritty anthems and psychedelic journeys, and you can hear the original and its Hip-hop reinterpretation below.
Original Sample: Bob James – “Take Me to the Mardi Gras”
Produced by Creed Taylor
Run-DMC – “Peter Piper”
Produced by Rick Rubin & Russell Simmons
N.W.A. – “Straight Outta Compton”
Produced by Dr. Dre & DJ Yella
A$AP Rocky – “Max B”
Produced by A$AP Rocky & Hector Delgado
Beastie Boys – “Hold It Now, Hit It”
Produced by Rick Rubin & Beastie Boys
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