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Q-Tip made the "Electric Relaxation" beat in Phife Dawg's grandmother's basement. She'd given him a key.
Phife came home, heard Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Brew" drifting up from below and ran downstairs without even saying hi to grandma: “Yo, what the hell is that?!”
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Common's "The Light" was a love letter to Erykah Badu, his girlfriend at the time. J Dilla built it on Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes", played a hair faster, with Detroit Emeralds drums.
It became Common's first Billboard Hot 100 hit (#44) and earned a Grammy nod.
It became Common's first Billboard Hot 100 hit (#44) and earned a Grammy nod.
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Nathan Watts's bass on "Sir Duke", note by note.
Stevie wrote it as a tribute to Duke Ellington and the swing-era greats. The famous unison run has Watts doubling the horn section note for note, one of the hardest bass parts in pop.
Stevie wrote it as a tribute to Duke Ellington and the swing-era greats. The famous unison run has Watts doubling the horn section note for note, one of the hardest bass parts in pop.
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52 years ago today, Barry White's "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" was released as a single.
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Q-Tip made the "Electric Relaxation" beat in Phife Dawg's grandmother's basement. She'd given him a key.
Phife came home, heard Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Brew" drifting up from below and ran downstairs without even saying hi to grandma: “Yo, what the hell is that?!”
Phife came home, heard Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Brew" drifting up from below and ran downstairs without even saying hi to grandma: “Yo, what the hell is that?!”
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James Jamerson's bass on "What's Going On", visualized note by note.
Legend says Marvin tracked him down at a bar that night, and he played it lying flat on the studio floor.
One finger, his '62 Fender Precision Bass, and the rest was history.
Legend says Marvin tracked him down at a bar that night, and he played it lying flat on the studio floor.
One finger, his '62 Fender Precision Bass, and the rest was history.
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25 years ago today, Apple introduced the very first iPod.
The original iPod, with 5 GB of storage and the claim of 1,000 songs in your pocket. A hard-drive player that moved digital music from the computer into everyday use.
The original iPod, with 5 GB of storage and the claim of 1,000 songs in your pocket. A hard-drive player that moved digital music from the computer into everyday use.
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59 years ago today, Miles Davis's "Sorcerer" was released.
Miles with the second great quintet. Wayne Shorter’s writing is central, and Hancock, Carter and Williams keep the music open and elastic.
Miles with the second great quintet. Wayne Shorter’s writing is central, and Hancock, Carter and Williams keep the music open and elastic.
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Common took Erykah Badu to J Dilla's Detroit basement, wall-to-wall records. Dilla told her to pick one. She pulled Tarika Blue, fell for "Dreamflower" and chose the part.
Dilla taught her to sample it on his MPC and added drums. That became "Didn't Cha Know"
Dilla taught her to sample it on his MPC and added drums. That became "Didn't Cha Know"
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25 years ago today, Aphex Twin's "Drukqs" was released.
A double set that moves from dense, hyperactive electronics to spare prepared-piano pieces. One of Aphex Twin’s most expansive and polarized records.
A double set that moves from dense, hyperactive electronics to spare prepared-piano pieces. One of Aphex Twin’s most expansive and polarized records.
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We started The Weekly Spin: a record club where we all play the same album each week.
First up is Dorothy Ashby's Afro-Harping (1968).
melodiesandmasterpieces.com/weekly-spin/
First up is Dorothy Ashby's Afro-Harping (1968).
melodiesandmasterpieces.com/weekly-spin/
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57 years ago today, Led Zeppelin's "Led Zeppelin II" was released.
The follow-up that hardened the sound. Heavy blues-rock, shorter forms, and “Whole Lotta Love” as the single that expanded the audience.
The follow-up that hardened the sound. Heavy blues-rock, shorter forms, and “Whole Lotta Love” as the single that expanded the audience.
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69 years ago today, Miles Davis's "Miles Ahead" was released.
Miles with Gil Evans for the first time, on flugelhorn and with a full orchestra. Spacious, cool arrangements that marked a clear break from the small-group work.
Miles with Gil Evans for the first time, on flugelhorn and with a full orchestra. Spacious, cool arrangements that marked a clear break from the small-group work.
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51 years ago today, Tom Waits's "Nighthawks at the Diner" was released.
Recorded live in a studio with an invited audience. Early Waits as beat-poet and piano man, full of late-night stories and the persona he was still shaping.
Recorded live in a studio with an invited audience. Early Waits as beat-poet and piano man, full of late-night stories and the persona he was still shaping.
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Happy birthday to Dizzy Gillespie, born on this day in 1917!
Trumpeter and composer at the center of bebop, alongside Charlie Parker. Later a key figure in Afro-Cuban jazz, with a signature bent horn and blazing upper register.
Trumpeter and composer at the center of bebop, alongside Charlie Parker. Later a key figure in Afro-Cuban jazz, with a signature bent horn and blazing upper register.
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