Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park) - Nas

Always a welcome track for reminiscing.

           Probably the happiest beat on the album. Certainly very uplifting much like "The World Is Yours", and it has quite a bit of heart in it. Really the meaning is in the title, Nas reflecting on some of his friends since past. Typical formula: Amazing rhmes + Amazing Production. Besides the sentimental value, it really is a fun song. Just from the start of vocals, then nas jumps right into the song! The song also holds another quality to "The World Is Yours", that is scratching! Happy beat, strong lyrics, hot scratching for both tracks! There you go, very similar songs, now let's see what makes them different.
           A lot of important lines, with some really strong lines that really stand out as they flow right past you, before you know it you are on to the next one. A lot of meaningful ones that hold the same value as the ones that flow incredible. Of course, this is Nas after all, are any of the rhymes wack? No, that would be silly. Nas reflects and recognizes his deceased friends, and some of his older friends since they are no longer with him, for whatever reason. He explains how he kicks back to remember the times and take his mind through memory lane, which is easily relatable as we always like to kick back and reminisce:

I drop the ancient manifested hip-hop, straight off the block
I reminisce on park jams, my man was shot for his sheep coat
Chocolate blunts make me see him drop in my weed smoke
It's real, grew up in trife life, did times or white lines
The hype vice, murderous nighttimes, and knife fights invite crimes
Chill on the block with Cognac, hold strap
with my peeps that's into drug money, market into rap

Really emphasizes the times he chilled back, but there was also a lot of violence to where he lived, adding two dimensions to the song, yet maintaining that jumpy, positive vibe. That quality is similar to the philosophy I spilled onto the "Life's A Bitch" post. 

Peace God -- now the shit is explained
I'm taking niggas on a trip straight through memory lane

Really special line. Simple to comprehend, so I think the message is spread abroad. Everyone always looks in their life for what exactly they can do. Some people, like Nas and myself, refer to God for some help. Nas doesn't need his help anymore thus, "Peace God", and has found his true place in the world. That gives a sense of satisfaction, and boosts that happy feel to the song, adding accomplishment to the platter of positive emotions on "Memory Lane (Sittin' in Da Park)". As does the beat of course.

          

The beat really runs the mood in music, and the lyrics map out specific instructions. These instructions are given to the listener to make their experience true to what the artist wanted to express. However, some thoughts tend to run wild, and stray off course. A natural attention deficit in music, which can lead to something really meaningful. 


          With that said, the beat of course runs the song to be positive and fun. The 2nd track off Illmatic that is produced by DJ Premier. I shall list the samples first, to help explain each piece of the beat.


"We're in Love" by Reuben Wilson
"Pickin' Boogers" by Biz Markie
"Droppin' Science" by Craig G
"Get out of My Life, Woman" by Lee Dorsey


The organ and the soft vocals are the basic structure of the song. Both sampled from "We're in Love".  And the chorus is sampled from Biz Marke's "Pickin' Boogers". And "Comin' out of Queensbridge" is sampled from Craig G's "Droppin' Science". The drums are sampled from "Get out of My Life, Woman". All these great works, which I have become quite fond of each of these tracks, has lead to even greater love for this track. A lot of interesting samples, some just to add touches and fun stuff to the chorus and such. Took Premo a lot of work to get these all to blend, or so I imagine. And of course, to top the track off Premo adds his own scratching to the chorus, giving a really fun jumpy vibe to the song. It is overall a great track, with some insightful words, unique samples, and a fun beat.






           Hope this post has taken you down memory lane. Or perhaps the song takes you down memory lane, every time you are sitting in the park.

Hafltime - Nas

           This song proved that Nas could destroy a track no matter how simple, and he could flow with any beat. Hafltime is the showcase of that to this day, except even thought the beat was simple, production was still tight. Some of my favorite lines actually came from this song. A lot of clever rhymes, and some of his famous ones are in this. With the classic opening, "Nasty Nas in your area, about to cause mass hysteria". Damn a clever line, that wasn't even part of the verse.
            He did start some mass hysteria with this track that is for sure. Every verse is just fluid, and sounds hot as hell. He also puts a little story in their, but for the most part he is just spitting rhymes that are Illmatic. Some of the best of those are:

King poetic, too much flavor, I'm major
Atlanta ain't Brave-r, I'll pull a number like a pager
Cause I'm am ace when I face the bass
40-side is the place that is giving me grace
Now wait, another dose and you might be dead
And I'm a Nike head, I wear chains that excite the feds
And ain't a damn thing gonna change
I'ma performer (?) show the mic warmer was born to gain

I'm max like cassettes, I flex like sex
in your stereo sets, Nas will catch wreck
I used to hustle, now all I do is relax and strive
When I was young, I was a fan of the Jackson 5
I drop jewels, wear jewels, hope to never run it
With more kicks than a baby in a mother's stomach

I got to have it, I miss Mr. Magic
Versatile, my style switches like a faggot
But not bisexual, I'm an intellectual

n my place wit the bass and format
Explore rap, and tell me Nas ain't all that
And next time I rhyme, I be foul
Whenever I freestyle I see trial niggaz say I'm wow

And in the darkness, I'm heartless like when the NARCs hit
Word to Marcus Garvey I hardly sparked it
Cause when I blast the herb, that's my word
I be slayin them fast, doing this that and the third
But chill, past to Andre, and let's slay
I bag bitches up at John Jay, and hit a matinee

I could've just quoted the whole song, but these were my favorite parts. Like my goodness he puts a lot of words into each rhymes and makes every rhymes clever. This is clearly a song focusing on the rhymes.

            That isn't to say the beat isn't great to. The drums are top, really cool bass line as well. A Large Professor beat, and the whole Illmatic production team really put it together. So Halftime doesn't feel out of place, has the old-school feel. No electronics, just a simple beat to bob your head with. 

Samples:

Dead End- by Japanese Hair Cast, really shows Large Professors talent in filtering the drums. Ridiculous.

Soul Travelin'- Gary Byrd- samples the horns that you will hear in the chorus of Halftime. 

School Boy Crush- Average White Band- sampled in a lot of other hip-hop songs too! The vocals near the end of the sample are in the chorus of Halftime!

Wasn't too much to say for this post, but there is a lot to appreciate in this song. Hey! Maybe I didn't analyze something that you noticed! The beauty of music right there, everyone gets their own experience from each song. 

The World Is Yours - Nas

Not a real jumpy track on Illmatic yet.

Let's see what Pete Rock and Nas can do about that.

           A more upbeat track for Illmatic. Not as philosophical as Life's A Bitch of course, but still clever lyrics and an absolutely killer performance by Nas. A lot of clever lines, but there is no direct message. Other than the world is yours, and with those simple words it becomes a motivational song. Looking at the entire song it really does bump you up, with the uplifting beat, and the fun and slick rhymes from Nas.
          I will just put some of my favorite lines down:

I sip the Dom P, watchin Gandhi til I'm charged
Then writin in my book of rhymes, all the words pass the margin
To hold the mic I'm throbbin, mechanical movement

Understandable smooth shit that murderers move wit

Wipe the sweat off my dome, spit the phlegm on the streets
Suede Timb's on my feets, makes my cypher, complete(quoted a lot)

 I trip we box up crazy bitches aimin guns in all my baby pictures

Beef with housin police, release scriptures that's maybe Hitler's

How ya livin large, a broker charge, cards are mediocre

You flippin coke or playin spit spades in strip poker

I can actually say I like the 3rd verse the most. Believe me I love them all, it is just I couldn't think of one rhyme up from that verse, therefore I didn't wanna just post the entire verse. Yet, you could really say any line is my favorite. They are all so well blended I even had trouble selecting the lines. I tried putting in one rhyme and thought, "Oh! That line is laced with that one right before it!". Ha, very good job Nasir, kickin' ass on the track. Oh yeah and so is Pete Rock.

           The beat is really cool. Has that old school feel to it, drums are hot. And that piano chord is absolutely catchy and really puts the happiness in this song. And my next favorite quality of this track is the scratching. Pete Rock does an incredible job cutting and scratching after the 2nd verse, when he says, "Break it down!". He is also the one that says the chorus along with Nas. Really fun track, and the scratches are just great. He breaks it up throughout the track. So you are really focusing on a lot. Which makes the track a terrific one, making you jump from one thing to a next. And all those things; verses, beat, and scratches; are all in top quality. There you have it another great track from Illmatic.

BTW: Samples:

Piano: Ahmad Jamal- I love music(love the song title)

&

T La Rock's "It's Yours" for the drums.

Life's A Bitch - Nas

Maybe my favorite song. Truly Powerful

A track that makes you look out at the world.

          This might just be my favorite song from Nas, and most definitely my favorite song from Illmatic. In terms of my whole library it is right up there with Late by Kanye West. Just to give you an idea of how much I love this song. The song is certainly famous, with a now classic feel to the song, incredible, and I mean incredible verses, all the features are just great. And the message is just deep, a real track to just think about life. I mean this song is just incredibly touching, something that you can reflect your whole life on. Ah man, it is ridiculous, words can't describe this song.
           The song is very quotable. AZ and Nas spit some of the best verses ever. I really haven't heard better, but thanks to the beat that also puts them above other verses with potential. Still, you just have to listen to AZ and Nas multiple times, as you can't possibly tell what they are saying the first time. That is when you know a rap is good, you just get lost in the words. All that is rapped is clearly hot and philosophical, so I will post stuff with the best message, in my own opinion of course:

(AZ):Others such as myself are tryin to carry on tradition
Keepin the schwepervesence street ghetto essence inside us
Cause it provides us with the proper insight to guide us

I really saw this as AZ saying stick to your roots. If you don't take experience with you; specifically the "street ghetto essence" in this case(which could otherwise be the struggles in your life, in which case you learn a lot of life); you won't learn and be able to make good choices later on in life. Take everything you have experienced throughout life. That line really gives you nostalgia, making your past flash bye as each words takes you somewhere else.

(Nas): I switched my motto -- instead of sayin fuck tomorrow

That buck that bought a bottle could've struck the lotto

Small choices can lead to the biggest possibilities. That is what that line means simple and plain, really another crazy philosophy, makes you think about everything you do. 

           Nas and AZ really do a great job rapping. Even if you are a shallow thinker when it comes to music, you would have appreciate there lyricism. On the other hand, they really build a lot of thought in my head. Taking you through their past, some important decisions, and their life now. Really they do equally well to give their own spin off. It doesn't feel repetitive either, considering how well the verses are constructed.

           The beat was produced by L.E.S. Although it was more sampled actually. If you listen to "Yearning For Your Love" by the Gap Band and the smaller portion of the sample is from "Black Frost" by Grover Washington, Jr. The track really relaxes you and just blends with the verses to feel absolutely changed every time you listen. It has a nice jazzy feel to it, as the bass helps me vibe to the song. It has some mysterious aura to the whole sound, I can't quite break down the whole hum of it by instrument. Oh well, beautiful regardless. The beat keeps it fairly simple, nothing too complex or any transitions. Thank goodness, or I wouldn't be able to handle my thoughts transition as I heard the volley of words from Nas and AZ at the same time of a more elaborate beat, I suppose anyways. Then as if the song couldn't get better, I just get swept away by Olu Dara playing the cornet. Man the jazz feel just fits right in with the beat. Olu is actually Nas' father, which makes the track even more special. The cornet just carries me all the way to the end as I picture all these things in life. Then silently goes out...

             I imagine a lot of scenarios each time I hear the song. But if I look at it from the Queensbridge projects, a lot of stuff happens. As I mentioned before, Nas makes me fascinated in the project life. Yet, instead of the violence and grittiness of N.Y. State of Mind, Life's A Bitch holds a more peaceful feel to it. I imagine a beautiful sunny day in the streets of QB. Somehow it was a good day, and you are just standing on the roof looking at the sunset. I picture someone at ease, as if they have just succeeded, and have gotten a guarantee that life may just work out. Then as the cornet starts they just walk away, just like the song walks away, and perhaps everything I have ever experienced, I have just walked away from. I am moving on to something I just don't know what. It is really the prelude to We Major, it is the plan to reach that success. Oh it really paints a beautiful world in my head, not the projects, but just as if something beautiful is going to happen in life. Yet, maybe it already has, and you are just reflecting.

That is why Life's A Bitch is a legendary track, it takes you back, but moves you forward. That is why the track is so powerful, it moves you so quickly through a flash of your life, but makes you dream of what is ahead, and all that can happen. Giving the song the opportunity to shine anytime in your life(Which actually relates to Nas' quote up above, those small decisions can lead to something ultimate). That means during: success, times of peace and hope, or when you are depressed, and perhaps hopeful to one day reach your goals, whatever that may be.

No other way to say it, for now anyways.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, sorry if it doesn't all flow together very well, just wanted to spit some philosophy. 

N.Y. State of Mind - Nas

This song really takes me into the world of QB projects. 

While violent and dangerous, it is just cool how Nas takes 

you right into that world

           The first actual song on Illmatic. All about the whole experience living in the QB housing projects of New York. Of course it isn't the lightest song. A very gritty feel to the lyrics and story. Nas does an excellent job of painting a vivid image, really getting me to feel the song. And that is just one of the many great qualities of Nas. Kind of ironic to think he started the track saying, "man I don't know how to start this shit", right before spitting one of the greatest hip-hop songs ever.
           What makes the song so great? Nas of course. If you don't know, he has an incredible flow, clever lines, thought provoking lyrics, and an immense vocabulary which makes his rhymes so intelligent. Just listening to him when he describes shoot outs is pretty intense. He doesn't overdose you with too many words, so he can rap fast, and it gives everyone to imagine their own picture of the song. He also drops the famous line:

I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death

And my favorite rhyme: 

Life is parallel to hell but I must maintain

Very simple meaning. Yet I couldn't possibly list all the lines, as they are all clever and sound awesome.

          And of course don't forget the beat. Simple beat, like I described to you in the last post. Classic instrumental at this point. Starts with synths, simple beeping noise, and the piano and drums accompany you as Nas spits a legendary track. Produced by DJ Premier. And they really make a duo, with Nas holding the mic, and Premo producing, the song will always be classic. Just look at all the songs with Nas & Premier, all great. 

A great track, really gotta love it. I admit at first I didn't really feel for the beat when I first heard it, it has grown onto me and now I love the song. No surprise though, everything is Illmatic on this album, pun intended. 

Tomorrow we will here another classic, with arguably one of the best verses in Hip-Hop history.

The Genesis - Nas

           A great opener to Nas' great opener onto the hip-hop scene. It would become the intro to one of the best hip-hop albums the world has ever seen. With a classic beat from the one and only DJ Grand Wizard Theodore. Has that old school vibe of course. Hearing the sound of the subway trains roll by. Which is one of my favorite qualities in certain music. When they really put you in the world, it really helps someone that is fascinated by something they can't experience. This track does just that, makes you imagine and wonder what is was like. I imagine Nas, AZ, and Jungle to be sitting up in a recording studio in the projects, as the subway comes riding through the city.
          After the train goes by this is played, and Nas' verse from "Live at the BBQ" plays in the background:

Hector: And you are sitting home doing this shit? You should be earning a medal for this

stop fucking around and be a man, there ain't nothing out here for you

Zoro: oh yes there is... this!

This is piece of the film Wild Style, a conversation between Hector and Zoro. Right after that the Grand Wizard beat kicks in. Nas, AZ, and Jungle begin to talk as the beat plays. Right off the bat, Jungle says:

Yo Nas Yo what the fuck is this bullshit on the radio son?

That line is always interesting, just proving Illmatic was ahead of its time. Plus, the stuff we here on the radio is actually bullshit. The music endorsed with the most money, contains the least amount of talent. Just interesting to imagine what exactly was the "bullshit on the radio" 20 years ago. They go in to discuss to keep it real, without a record label. And what always sticks out to me is when AZ says:

Regardless of how I go down, we gonna keep it real

Crazy now, because as a matter of fact AZ has gone the indie route in terms of hip-hop. Yet, Nas and him have kept it real. It is so crazy to think about that, and look at them both now, keeping that promise. Considering so many artists have changed through wealth, thinking that because they are mainstream, they can sit back and make simple music.

         All this and "Subway Theme"; the beat playing by Grand Wizard; really put you into another world. The beat is very catchy. Crazy drums is all you needed back then. That is indeed one of my favorite qualities of old school Hip-Hop. The simple structure really helps you get laid back. I mean trust me I love complex beats, they really mesmerize me. A nice balance of simple and complex is always welcome in my library.

The rest of the story of Illmatic will be painted. While mine isn't as complex as Late Registration, it certainly puts me in a fascinating time period.

The Summer Mixtape - Demps

           This was another first of my hip-hop albums. After buying my debut CD's I was already really liking the vibe I got from my hip-hop library; which at the time was only consisting of 3 albums; yet there was so much more to look in qualities of hip-hop. This wasn't an actual album, and if you don't know me personally you probably don't have it, although that'd be cool if you did. It was basically just a mix-tape made from a friend of mine. And at the time I wasn't aware that people could just rap over tracks and just turn out something good. When I first heard I was just so surprised of the quality and thought how amazing was that he could make this music. And I really like the feel of most of the tracks, and the raps are all quite good.
           There are a few tracks that are actually favorites of my whole selection of songs, so the mixtape is definitely worth checking out. This was actually the same friend from my 1st post. At the time he was just selling CDs and now he has quite a bit more material.
           A lot of the tracks you can find on Youtube. You can search him on the site by K Demps. Now he just goes by Demps. Hopefully this will help you understand more as I review tracks. There feels vary throughout the album.

Songs that are more upbeat and fun:

I Love Weekends- Parody to "I Love College"

Fire Side Rhymes- Pretty sure it was a freestyle. Still quite awesome.

Outta World- Really fun beat, kind of a goofy and funny song.

L.A.X.- No doubt the sickest track on the album, a ridiculous flow and a great instrumental.

Verbal Threat- Vicious attack to other rappers out there.

Summertime- Another great highlight of the album. The beat just makes you feel great.

We Reminisce- Perhaps a whole story about him and a certain girl. Really nice beat to ride to.

More Emotional or Laid Back:

Nothing Like Me- A gritty and realistic story, that really progresses throughout the song.

Back To the Old Ways- A track that he reminisces on, and reflects on changes.

Gold- A great cover of Kanye West's Drive Slow. Really great rhymes.

Family Business- A very sentimental song, about his sister. Just listen.

Key to the City- Really chilled out beat, makes everything around you slow down.

Ctown 2001- I believe that this is the best track on the album, so much nostalgia.

          I will definitely try and review most of these throughout the summer, but I do have some other projects I plan to review. Make sure you have a great summer, and bump some good tunes.

He Say She Say - Lupe Fiasco

 Very emotional track.A lot of sadness

but it is sad music like this that actually makes me feel better.

          I am quite a fan of Lupe Fiasco's music. However the only album I have is Lupe Faisco's Food & Liquor. This is no doubt, my favorite track off the album, and perhaps in his library. This track is very emotional for me, and I really connect with it on a personal level.
          The whole song is reflected across two people. One verse comes from the mother's perspective, and the younger boys. It is the struggle of a kid, as his dad is no longer in his life, for whatever reason. In fact only the pronouns are changed in each verse, so they are almost identical. Yet, I appreciate them as if they were both different verses. I actually couldn't quite imagine having two different verses, after listening to this song for so long. The verses are so similar, but feel so different.
          The lyrics are fantastic. A powerful social issue, touched with imagery to make it personalized, and laced with a unique rap. Mind you, I haven't lost my dad. However, some specific lyrics really connect. The whole song is really a struggle as growing up as a teenager and conflicts with your parents. Which I feel every teenager experiences as they grow. A lot of it has to do with change as we get older, change we aren't used to.

Starting to use red markers on his work
His teacher say they know he's much smarter
But he's hurt
Used to hand his homework in firstLike he was the classroom starter

Burst to tears
Let them know she see us
Now he's fighting in class
Got a note last week that say he might not pass

That is really the piece that connects with me. My whole life has been about my education, it is very important for me to maintain grades. And since high school, it has become very difficult for me to maintain grades and such like I used to. It has really become an everyday struggle. That is a change I am not used to, and others may connect or have new situations they face as well. On this track, Lupe really speaks to me, as does the beat.

           The song runs off the strings and the infectious beat. Creating an elegant but upbeat song that really fits the touching lyrics of He Say She Say. The horns are a nice touch during the choruses. The instrumental is just beautiful and really works well with Lupe. The strings add so much emotion, really turning the song sadder, which of course is perfect in the case of the message. The vocals on the chorus are a duet of Gemini and Sarah Green which are just beautiful soulful singing. 

           The track really is fantastic, the beat is really suiting. The whole production of the track was beautiful, taking a social issue and put a unique twist to it to make it his own. And with different lyrics and imagery, even without the loss of a father, it can still have a broad connectivity with audiences. And that is the beauty of music, putting one effort into a song, to spread a specific message to each person that hears it. True magic Mr. Fiasco. 

God Bless The Child - Billie Holiday

Today was a rainy day, and a perfect day for this track.

           I have fallen in love with this song. I really do appreciate a wide spectrum of music. I love putting on some of that old jazz. While I do love the old feel of the song, and getting taken back to the past, I just love the emotions in the oldies. You can just tell that back then, you couldn't be a fake artist. You had to be truly talented, as is the case with Billie Holiday.
           Her voice is beautiful. Emphasizing her talent on this song than others would just be pointless. She sang beautifully on every song she wrote. Every note just mesmerizes you, and really creates joy.
           As I mentioned before this is jazz. You get a real blues feel from this. Slow music, real silent drums. This lets you appreciate the horns and saxophones. The occasional keys that play in the background. Has that oldies feel to the recording as well, and I am glad I could find a real version that wasn't remastered. Another great quality of older music, that pleasant crackle of the vinyl.
          With that all established, what can you feel from the song? Well I have been thinking of emotions that are conveyed. It an overall sadness, but something different. Personally it is not something that makes me sad, but makes me reflect. It isn't quite despondent either, it's mellow but it soothes me. Truly something to marvel at, I can't exactly get a hang of it. It puts you at ease, as you listen to her words. About how money can get you friends but once it is gone they aren't truly your friends. A whole struggle between the weak and poor and how wealth is represented. Perhaps that is why the song is so touching, I imagine a young child who is all by themselves in the world. However, is that not where we find the most peace? When we are all alone, maybe not in the best state of mind or being, but away from all regular stress. It is times like those in life where you can really guide yourself in life. As if a map sits right in front of you, and you then discover a plan. Ah, good old deep thinking to mix with good old music.

Just glad I could share this gem with you. Yet, you must really thank Billie Holiday, for ultimately creating this post, and taking me to another place in my head, but I could get that out of my head and write in onto the paragraph above. That is the true beauty, to get music into the head, and thoughts out.

Emotional Cash - Stevans

           This song, recorded by Stevans, was introduced to me by Pandora Radio, before I listened to a lot of Hip-Hop. This group makes the only rock music that I listen to at this time. There first album was released years ago, but still quite modern on the rock scene. Although not very popular in the US, over in Europe they would be more well known. Regardless, some of their work is very catchy, and a lot of fun. This song is one of my favorites from them.
           The beat is very uplifting and the lyrics are kind of catchy. Quite a lot of fun to listen to, and certainly doesn't bore the ears. John Chirico(percussionist) keeps a high tempo with the drums. All the guitars sound sick. The music breaks down at around 2:00 minutes to go off into a little solo, then another guitar joins in to pick the song right back up and end with a strong closing. Remember, I don't listen to a lot of bands so basically any guitar sounds sick to me!
           The lyrics put out a familiar message. The theme is the growing up, and like others songs it teaches everyone money is a ridiculous thing, and you have to mature. Emotional Cash may speak of the money made from relationships, gold-digging. As Yvan Franel(singer) sings:

Because a little bit of emotional cash

Ain't gonna give you the chance to grow

If you think of Emotional Cash as what was mentioned above(money made from gold-digging), then that lyric means you'll never know how to survive on your own, and grow to be your own person. That growth is important for everyone. A common message in music, yet portrayed to the listener differently. 

           Certainly a great band, hell I'm not even into bands at all. More material like this and I will have all their tracks. A great group to help expand my taste for rock!

I'll Erase Away Your Pain - The Whatnauts

          Recently I have been interested in discovering a lot of Soul/R&B. And this song has really become something special to me. I can only wonder where I can find a larger library of songs, such as these. However I can manage that some other time, for now I find peace with this masterpiece. As you may already know, this piece was sampled in "Late", which led to my discovery of "I'll Erase Away Your Pain" afterwards. It is such a good track stand alone, and quite a bit different considering the fact it was sampled. Despite the fact I have been listening to Late Registration for so long, I never looked up the sample for "Late". Well I am very happy I did!
          The song is by The Whatnauts, a trio of soul singers, and this showcases their abilities very well. While the track is very old, it was a hot single back in the day. Reaching #14 on the R&B charts. I myself don't care about the numbers at all, I really could care less about who is famous and who isn't. My point is, it was popular back in the day, now hiding in the libraries of music, and personally I have found it to be popular with my ears, as with people back in 1971! Perhaps the reason for my positive reaction, is because I don't hear enough soul and can make no comparison.
          Regardless of that fact, the track is beautiful. What true soul should be, something that soothes you and connects with you on an incredibly high emotional level. The singing is so beautiful, and they put so much life into every word. Whether singing softly and slowly, or that ear-gripping "i'll erase away!". You really can't explain this it is just terrific singing. The lyrical content doesn't need too much discussion, but they of course discuss a girl, one whom "always gets pushed around". The whole message after listening is perhaps this: be real with yourself, and never alter your image because of others. You may change, but just remember don't do it to fit in. In a world so clouded by layers of materialism and the concept of fitting in, it's nice to see somebody staying true to themselves.
         The music is very slow, of course. Those same harps from "Late" are back, however there are some different elements of course. The difference is the guitar in the background, the strings may be different. However, they sound all together like very distinguished. The drums may be different as well. It is certainly hard to actually decipher all the sounds between "Late" and this song. Still, the track makes good use of the drums changing in intensity as the vocals go up in volume. Also the strings are a nice addition and the harps lace with the other instruments to create some real magic. Whatever stands out for you, it is being elegant either way, touching the heart and warming the mind.

The Whatnauts have certainly grabbed my interest in Soul, and I hope to discover more. Hopefully this post explained my variety in music is a bit more vast. More to come, more to explore. Songs like this really mend the heart and balance the soul. This also explains my favorite aspect of sampling: the discovery of older music, otherwise hidden jems.
Hope you connected with the message, and more importantly, found happiness in listening.
     

The World Is Filled - B.I.G.

        The Notorious B.I.G. A true MC. As I am sure I will get to my personal views of him in some other post, I would like to get to that some other time. As this is absolutely a favorite song of mine! Let's see why right now!
        The 1st time I heard it, it must've been on Pandora Radio. Right from the beginning I was caught. The exploration of music will always lead you to some unexplainable feeling on occasion. Such is the case here my friends. The beat just grabs me, wouldn't let me go, and made sure I was paying attention to appreciate every little bit it had to offer. Perhaps I can describe this feeling. Have ever had a song that just stops you? Exactly what this was. New material, that just appeared on Pandora, and blew me away.
        So what exactly is the beat like? Well the feel of it is indescribably incredible. But what I can describe to you is why it always leaves me feeling good. The beat itself is pretty simple. Makes it easy to just ride with the beat, which I find with a lot of old school rap. The bass line is absolutely incredible! Also the beautiful vocals from Carl Thomas only top this production off. I find his addition to the song runs parallel to Tony Williams vocals on We Major. Both carry the chorus strong by themselves with no other singers. Which really lets you admire their singing. The beat itself could not be felt the same without the lyrics.
        I wanna keep this post short so I shall say this! Everyone absolutely destroys this song, having a lava hot flow. This may sound ridiculous but Puff Daddy's verse is my favorite. Not that I credit him for anything, except a chill voice that goes perfect with this beat. Now I imagine B.I.G. wrote his verse, but there is nothing that actually credits him to that. Despite the fact he probably didn't write his verse, it was just so laid back, and I love rapping right along with that verse every time. As for Biggie's verse, what can you expect? Straight fire, with hot lines throughout. Although the editing to his voice sort of turns me away, still great however. So that leaves Too Short's verse, which he puts a lot of emotion into the words than any other rapper on this track. Plus his rant at the end is quite humorous and I always find it interesting. The whole song is basically a pop and gansta rap style. You'll find the lyrics contain a lot of boasting, but keeping on subject with pimps & hoes. Which really helps chill you out, imagining a wealthy life with no worries, obviously erasing all the stress. The Too Short rant really ties together the song at the end, putting the words straight-forward. Definitely a track I recommend to chill out.

In fact, one of my favorites to blare from the speakers, when I'm home alone lying down on the couch, watching the world outside the window, as I reflect on the day's work accomplished. When I can only dream on what lies ahead...