What's That Sound? Datafile One

We've got a What's That Sound? with a difference this week. We're looking at a CD that was the staple source for a vast swathe of dance music produced in the 1990s.

It's possibly the most influential sample CD of all time. Released in 1991 and containing sounds ranging from Roland 808 kits to breakbeats, soulful vocal hooks to wierd animal FX, it was a one-stop shop for all samplists and its influence can still be heard today.

We're talking, of course, about Zero-G's 'Datafile One'.

Everyone from Coldcut to the Prodigy have used sounds from this sample pack. Whether they sourced them from 'Datafile One' isn't certain, but the fact is the sounds appear in their tunes.

Just have a listen to a few of the samples below and try to count the number of times you've heard them used.

Datafile One by NuFunk.net


Amazing innit? And all this from a sample CD that didn't even offer purchasers a commercial license.

Until next time, keep your fingers dusty and your grooves clean.