Love Is All We Need

I love this Mary J. track! I don't know, it's just a well written song, and Nas is the perfect compliment. If it was any other rapper, I don't think the track would work as well.



Rick James - Moonchild



Mary j. Blige feat. Nas - Love Is All We Need

The Panties

"Baby slow down, just take ya time. . . . you and me gon' be here for a while, oooooook?"

If anybody doubted the versatility and genius of Mos Def, I think this track puts that all to bed. I mean, this is a legit slow jam! Baby makin music! Did you ever think you'd be able to legitimately convince your lady to make babies with you to Mos Def?!


Tom Brock - I Love You More And More



Mos Def - The Panties

They Reminisce Over You

Tom Scott is a saxophonist, composer, arranger, conductor and band leader of the West Coast jazz/jazz fusion ensemble, the L.A. Express. However, he might be best now for his work on the theme songs of several major shows from the 70s, most notably Starsky and Hutch.


Tom Scott - Today



Pete Rock and CL Smooth - They Reminisce Over Your (T.R.O.Y.)

Happy 100!

I was telling my boy B. Rad the other day, I never thought it would get this big. . . . I really just started this blog because I thought a FEW people in internet land were like me and would appreciate the soul. But then I get write ups on The Brilliance and other sites, and then other sites are linking to me, and the whole thing just mushrooms.

I definitely appreciate all the love, but I do this for you guys. I check the comments and I get the emails, and it makes me happy to know that you guys are out there keeping good music alive, just by being here!

Alright, no more sappy shit! I tried to google the answer to my own contest question, and it's really not out there like that. . . . I thought this was the easy one! But the answer to the question of who had the first number 1 of the new millenium and what the name of that album was is. . . . .



The first Billboard 200 of the new millenium was released on Jan 5, 2000, and this album was #1. A lot of people thought it was DMX ". . . And Then There Was X", which was a great choice. It was the LAST #1 of the millenium, though.

Since I'm in such a giving mood, I'm just giving away the album! But you have to do me a favor. Shoot me an email at thesoulsample@gmail.com, telling me what you like or even don't like about the blog. If you want to shoot me a request, that's fine, too. But just for your feedback, you'll get a free album.

Can't go wrong with that.

Introducing Lamant Dozier

\Lamont Dozier was a member of the songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland. This team was responsible for creating the Motown sound that dominated the charts in the 1960s. Dozier broke out on his own and enjoyed moderate success as a solo artist.



Lamont Dozier - Let Me Make Love To You



Remy Ma feat. Big Pun - Thug Love

--------------------------


Lamont Dozier - Shine



Ghostface Killah - Saturday Nite

This How Playa's Rock

Seriously. There couldn't have been a more appropriate title to a song. Earth Wind and Fire is how playa's rock! And if you don't rock with EWF, then you ain't no playa, playa!

On some real shit. . . I was watching MTV Jams and this Hurrican Chris track came on. I had never heard the song, but the beat immediately grabbed me. Literally, I had to listen to the song because of the production! And I was surprised because Chris was really spittin (especially that 2nd verse . . . . wow). There are some artist who should NEVER be sampled because of how good they are, and I always felt EWF fell into that catagory. But Mr. Collipark did them justice, and I tip my hat to him.




Earth Wind and Fire - Love's Holiday




Hurricane Chris - Playa's Rock

I'm Just Doing My Job

If you EVER had to hustle (whether it be legal or illegal, I'm not here to judge), this is your theme song. You could tell Tip was really spittin from his soul on this track. This is about as personal as a track could get, and it came perfectly.

Bloodstone was a popular group that fused rock, R&B, funk, and gospel into an incredible blend of music. Bloodstone was instrumental in the "black rock" and funk movement of the 1970s, and they also performed with Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Elton John, and The Impressions.



Bloodstone - I'm Just Doing My Job



T.I. - Doin My Job

One Blood

Junior Reid is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist best known for his hit "One Blood". Reid has nearly thirty years in the game, having recorded his first song in 1979 at the age of 14. He has gained popularity recently due to his appearance on the following Game track, as well as several other remixes and songs.



Junior Reid - One Blood



The Game - One Blood

We Luv Deez Hoes!

My boy Obi e-mailed me a few requests, so here's one for you guys. Obi, I got them all, so check back often to get them!

And does nobody know the answer to our contest question? C'mon, guys. . . . I'll give you a hint. It's a rap album. . . . . . .

remember, my email address is thesoulsample@gmail.com.




Allen Toussaint is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He is considered to be one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B, having wrote and produced songs for many New Orleans artists such as Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, and Lee Dorsey.



Allen Toussaint - Worldwide



Outkast - We Luv Deez Hoes

Contest Time!

Time to give away a free album! Today's prize is what started me on my journey to uncover the soul samples. . . . DJ A-Trak and Kanye West's Welcome To Kanye's Soul Mix Show! The first person to e-mail me the correct answer to our contest question will win a copy (emailed in .zip format. . . all you gotta do is extract it) of this gem. Here's the tracklist:


1.SINNERMAN INTRO / NINA SIMONE
USED FOR TALIB KWELI / GET BY
2.I WISH YOUWERE HERE / AL GREEN
USED FOR KANYE WEST / THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY
3.INNOCENT TIL PROVEN GUILTY / HONEY CONE
USED FOR COMMON / TESTIFY
4.CHICAGO / GRAHAM NASH
USED FOR BEANIE SIGEL / THE TRUTH
5.IN THE HEART OF CITY / BOOBY BLAND
USED FOR JAY-Z / AIN'T NO LOVE
6.COMMON MAN / DAVID RUFFIN
USED FOR JAY-Z / NEVER CHANGE
7.STRUNG OUT / WILLIAM BELL
USED FOR CAM'RON FEAT. KANYE WEST / SYLEENA JOHNSON / DOWN AND OUT
8.WILDFLOWER / HANK CRAWFORD
USED FOR KANYE WEST FEAT. PAUL WALL / DRIVE SLOW
9.GHETTO CHILD / AHMAD JAMAL
USED FOR COMMON / THEY SAY
10.PEACE AND LOVE / MANDRILL
USED FOR KANYE WEST FEAT. MOS DEF / FREEWAY / TWO WORDS
11.HEAVENLY DREAM / KAYGEES
USED FOR KANYE WEST / CELEBRATION
12.I'LL ERACE AWAY YOUR PAIN / THE WHATNAUTS
USED FOR KANYE WEST / LATE
13.A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME / LUTHER VANDROSS
USED FOR TWISTA FEAT. KANYE WEST / JAMIE FOXX / SLOW JAMZ
14.THROUGH THE FIRE / CHAKA KHAN
USED FOR KANYE WEST / THROUGH THE WIRE
15.ROSIE / BILL WITHERS
USED FOR KANYE WEST / ROSES
16.MY FUNNY VALENTINE / ETTA JAMES
USED FOR KANYE WEST / ADDICTION
17.IS WHERE THE HATRED IS / GIL SCOTT HERON
USED FOR KANYE WEST FEAT. COMMON / MY WAY HOME
18.OLD SMOKEY / LINDA LEWIS
USED FOR COMMON / GO
19.SINCE YOU CAME IN MY LIFE / THE NEW YORK COMMUNITY CHOIR
USED FOR KANYE WEST / CRACK MUSIC
20.MOVE ON UP / CURTIS MAYFIELD
USED FOR KANYE WEST / TOUCH THE SKY
21.IT'S IMPOSSIBLE / THE NEW BIRTH
USED FOR KANYE WEST FEAT. TWISTA / KEYSHIA KOLE / IMPOSSIBLE (MI:3 THEME)
22.DISTANT LOVER / MARVIN GAYE
USED FOR KANYE WEST / SPACESHIP
23.CAUSE I LOVE YOU / LENNY WILLIAMS
USED FOR TWISTA / OVERNIGHT CELEBRITY

The question is:
What artist had the first number one album of the new millenium, and what was the name of that album?

E-mail your answers to thesoulsample@gmail.com, and the winner will be emailed the album. Good luck!

The Takeover

The Doors were one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. Led by the charismatic Jim Morrison, the band formed in 1965 and enjoyed immediate success with their classic first album, The Doors. Morrison died in 1971 in Paris, but an autopsy was never performed, therefore elevating him to a cult-like status with rumors about his death circulating still to this day.


The Doors - Five To One



Jay-Z - The Takeover

Man Of Steal

I remember, during the height of the Shiny Suit Era, there was an article about Puff, and that was the headline. I thought it was so damn clever! I was only like 13 or 14, but still. . . . It's a double entendre, and a very clever one. Puff was receiving a lot of flack for his heavy sampling, but his string of hits made him. . . .invincible. Like Superman.



David Bowie - Let's Dance




Puff feat. Ma$e, Biggie

Ris, God Is Love

My homegirl Ris was mad at me because she's been ride or die since day one of Resurgence, and I have yet to show her any love. . . Sorry, mama! So I dedicate this Marvin AND this Common to you, Marissa.

Want to dedicate a song to someone here? Holla at me: thesoulsample@gmail.com

One.


Marvin Gaye - God Is Love




Common - Love Is

Home Is Where The Hatred Is

Gil Scott-Heron. Wow. . . what can I say about this guy, huh? No intro would do him justice. This man's words are more powerful than any gun or tank or bomb that could ever be produced. And his poetry is timeless. He is an activist, poet, and musician who is noted for his work in the 60s and 70s. "The Revolution WIll Not Be Televised" is also one of his pieces.



Gil Scott-Heron - Home Is Where The Hatred Is



Kanye West feat. Common - My Way Home

Jay-Z Keeps The Faith

Mel Hardin and Tim McPherson (collectively known as. . . . Mel & Tim!) were cousins from Holly Springs, Mississippi. They moved to Chicago, where they were discovered by soul singer Gene Chandler. They had a Top Ten hit with "Backfield In Motion", but they never really had any other songs which woudl achieve the same success.


Mel & Tim - Keep The Faith




Jay-Z - The Prelude

Life On Mars

The more I dig in the crates for you guys, one thing becomes more and more apparent: Philly might be the most important city when it comes to the old soul music.

Dexter Mansel is a keyboardist out of West Philadelphia. He is seen as a contributor to the "Philly Sound", having worked with the renowned Gamble and Huff of Philadelphia International Records. Some of his collaborators include The Jacksons, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Pendergrass, and Lou Rawls.


Dexter Wansel - Life On Mars



Lupe Fiasco - The Cool

Free At Last

Nope, not the Freeway album, but the Al Green track. God I love Al.




Al Green - Free At Last




Mary J. Blige - No One Else

Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa?!

That's just bad news. . . .

Funkadelic was a famous African American music band most prominent during the 1970s. It and Parliament, also led by George Clinton, began the Funk music culture of that decade. Although they started out as the backing band for Parliament, they soon grew into their own band and just rocked out.


Funkadelic - I'll Stay



De La Soul - Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa

I'm Just A Soul Who's Intentions Are Good. . .

. . . . Oh lord, please don't let me be misunderstood. Wow.

My secret crush Krystal sent me this request, so I had to honor it ASAP. Hopefully, I can swindle another date from this one. . . . .

Of course, you know Kanye's gonna chop another Nina Simone track up* and do it justice. But then he let Common murder it this time?! That's just not fair. . . .



Nina Simone - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood



Common- Misunderstood


*I stand corrected. My man Kyle just informed me that this is NOT a Kanye West production, but rather Devo produced this. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Good look.

Yesterday I Lied, Today I Cried

Damn, MORE William Bell! Yall really need to explore more of Bell because he's incredible.

And shout out to everybody on the West Coast checking out Resurgence. Murs is an incredible, incredible artist out of Cali that's next to blow. I lie to you not. He has this alternative/hip hop thing poppin off that's really a breath of fresh air to the game. Plus, the boy can rap. Seriously, he's nice.


william bell - yesterday i lied today i cried



Murs - Yesterday and Today

For The Love Of Money

Ok, I'm sure all you guys know about the importance of Parliament to black music in general. Well, let me give you some info on this song. Not only was "For The Love of $" one of Bone Thugs' biggest hits, but the video is also Eazy-E's last before he passed away from AIDS.



Parliament - I've Been Watching You Move Your Sexy Body



Bone Thugs N Harmony - For The Love Of $

It Takes Two To Make A Thing Go Right!

Lyn Collins was an African American soul singer best known for working with James Brown in the 1970s. She is best known for this hit "Think (About It)", which was produced by James Brown. Collins passed away in 2005 from cardiac arrest. On a personal note, this was the first song that I ever had memorized. . . . . . . those were the days. . .


Lyn Collins - Think (About It)



Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two

Dr. Dre's Instrumental Funk

I just learned a new term today. "Instrumental Funk". That's what the Nite Liters were known for. Members of the Nite Liters have ties to artists from various genres, such as Etta James and Marvin Gaye, so you know they're coming with some of the most eclectic tunes you'e ever heard. One fan described the band as "a delectable fusion of mainly instrumental rhythm and blues and jazz,seasoned with liberal dashes of funk". Couldn't be said any better.



Nite Liters - Damn


Dr. Dre - High Powered

Still D.R.E.

Grant Green was a jazz guitarist and composer from St. Louis. He recorded as both a leader and a sideman for Blue Note Records, the legendary jazz record label. Green was an underrated player during his lifetime, and after his death in 1979, he was elevated to nearly legendary status by his contemporaries.



Grant Green - Maybe Tomorrow



Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg - Still D.R.E.

Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos

Some music from two of the greatests to ever do it in their respective genres.





Isaac Hayes - hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic



Public Enemy - Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos