Saturday, October 18, 2014

Mobb Deep's "Survival of the Fittest" Sample Discovered


Three and a half years ago, Bronco of The-Breaks.com unearthed the jazz record Havoc brilliantly dissected to create the classic "Shook Ones" beat. Now we've got a new sample sleuth on the scene, YouTube user SaintsIV, who has uncovered a recording by jazz artists Barry Harris and Al Cohn which provides the basis for Havoc's equally-incredible "Survival of the Fittest" beat. There's a common thread between these two discoveries: Both are piano sections (Barry Harris' performance in this instance) from somewhat-obscure jazz records which were slowed down in order to create that brooding atmosphere we've come to love from Mobb Deep's classic record The Infamous. Check out SaintsIV's video below, which illustrates the process behind the production on this track. And don't forget to go back and check out my very own compilation, Sample Set #182: The Infamous. I've updated both the download link and embedded Audiomack player to include the new sample. Keep digging...