During this cold month I was listening to a few hip hop pieces especially stuff by a Tribe Called Quest, my favourite group, and it made me think about doing some kind of run down on what they searched for and sampled on their records. I then started my journey through some original flavours, ones that have been searched for, found and then sampled by the Tribe. Just as they are my favourite hip hop outfit as far as funky jazz goes it must be Roy Ayers so I will start this exploration with him and some of his productions. The first loop that we will take into consideration has been developed over a piece called “Daylight” that was played by Ramp, it is from a piece of vinyl entitled ‘Come Into Knowledge’ on ABC and today is much sought after seeing that it was produced by Ayers during the mid seventies. “Daylight” was knowingly sampled by the Tribe for the loop in “Bonita Applebum” that is from their first album. “Running Away” from the album ‘Lifeline’ by Ayers is the base that was used on “Description Of A Fool” that was also on the first album by ATCQ where you can also hear Roy Ayers in person. Let’s talk for a moment about a few Organists, an argument that is often covered here in the Soul Beat. In “Sample Machine” by the Tribe we find Brother Jack Mc Duff with his ‘Oblighetto’ that was included on another very rare album entitled ‘Moon Rappin’’ on Blue Note Records from 1969. ‘Oblighetto’ was also used in the song “Scenario” where you can also hear an as yet not ‘commercial’ Busta Rhymes along with other rappers who guest on this piece. Another great song that has had the ‘organ treatment’ has to be “Electric Relations” on their second album where they have looped ‘Mystic Brew’ by Ronnie Foster that was also on Blue Note. The mythical Jimmy Smith has also been a ‘victim’ for ATCQ, in their song “I’m Gonna Love You” there has been created a loop by using a bit of ‘Push It Along’. Every respectful researcher is continuously hunting down some very important drum beats, in fact it is the drums that are almost always the main ingredient when it comes to loops. To find some great drumming you shouldn’t ignore listening to any type of music whatsoever (even if you are not looking for drums!). Whilst listening to “Axis. Bold As Love” by Jimi Hendrix you can hear on the tracks intro ‘Little Miss Lover’ by the mythical drummer Mitch Mitchell, something that can be heard once again in “Scenario”. Getting back to the Blue Note label which is probably one of the most sampled labels in the story of hip hop, we find “Spinning Wheels” contained on the album ‘Drivers’ by DR Lonnie Smith, another great organist. This latest versions of the Blood Sweat & Tears piece offers a great drum break that was played by Joe Duke which was used by ATCQ in the song “Can I Kick It?”. A Tribe Called Quest are also known for using loops as intros and outros, in fact if we take the piece ‘Aquarius’ by the vibraphonist Cal Tjader from the album ‘The Prophet’ on Verve Records we would recognise “Midnight Marauders Tour Guide” from the album ‘Midnight Marauders’. A piece by Eugene Mc Daniels entitled ‘Jagger The Dagger’ has instead been used on the first album for its breaks and interludes. There are many names that have been used by A Tribe Called Quest like James Brown (for a change!), Minnie Ripperton, Lester Young, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Sly & The Family Stone, Funkadelic, Rotary Connection, Donald Byrd and tons of others. The Tribe have always been distinguished for the quality and refinement in their choice as well as their great taste in making these ‘gems’. Next time we will look into a few more hip hop groups just to keep our ears to the Soul Beat. “You Gotta Hear Blue Note To Dig Def Jam!”. Peace and loops all over the land.