In this column, we’ve already looked at the impact a single record label can have on the music that follows. Some imprints provide such a wealth of material for samplists and diggers that they become the stuff of legend.
With artists like Loleatta Holloway, Instant Funk, Edwin Birdsong and of course the all-star Salsoul Orchestra, Salsoul straddled the disco and funk genres, making danceable records with catchy vocal hooks and strong grooves.
This has made them a sampling favourite with everyone from Coldcut and Public Enemy to Spiller and Daft Punk.
We’ll start with probably one of the most iconic samples ever, from ‘Oooh I love It (Love Break)’ by the Salsoul Orchestra.
Listen from around 5.44 and compare to the intro of the Coldcut track below it.
Check out the breakdown at 2.54 in this one and compare it with the bassline from 1.54 in the Daft Punk video below:
And the cultural ram-raiding doesn’t stop there. Spiller ripped off Carol Williams’ ‘Love Is You’ wholesale when they made ‘Groovejet’.
So there you go – whenever you see a Salsoul joint in a bargain bin, grab it and hold it tight, it's solid gold for samplists.
Until next time, keep your fingers dusty and your grooves clean.
The best of this week's releases includes skanky funk from suonho, raw banging freshness from Chris Awesome and a disco boogie workout from DJ Agent 86, who has also provided a wicked free track for your listening pleasure.
Big. Real big.
Chris Awesome - Don't Say You Love Me (The Remix EP)
Chris Awesome up first, with the 'Don't Say You Love Me' remix EP on Big M. Chris flips a classic disco sample into a dancefloor-devastating groove. Party-friendly samples, crisp, thumping beats and enough builds and drops to hype any party make this one of the best releases so far this year.
No content with a slamming original track - Mr Awesome gets some of the biggest names in the game on remix duty.
Busta takes the track into heavy wobble territory, with some fierce bass noises and shuffling dubby beats while DJ Kid Stretch adds extra soulful vox and wicked rolling breaks to the mix. Meanwhile, Hayz takes us back to '96 with a fresh bigbeat remix, full of tight vocal slices and one of the baddest fuzz basses this side of Roger Troutman's keyboard.
This is a serious package - consistently fly yet widely varied. Grab it now on Juno and preview the goodness below.
Get set for the summer of ska breaks - the amount of wicked, bouncy skank-funk we're getting sent is a good sign that summer is truly on the way.
DJ Agent 86 gets in on the act with 'All About The Money', out now on Lightspeed. Expect a relentless bass, hip-hop vocals, filtered vibes and some hands-in-the-air drops on this track. There are also some lush brass touches to add to the fresh feel of the tune.
There's an instrumental version included in the package and a remix by DJ Butcher of Chopshop, who takes the track in a funky percussive new direction.
As a special treat to our readers, DJ Agent 86 has also given us a link to the fourth track on this package, which you can download for free. 'Pick Up The Party' is a disco-hop banger that puts a smile straight on your face! Grab it here, you lucky, lucky people.
Listen to 'All About The Money' below and buy on Juno.
