In 1991 Slimkid3, Imani, Bootie Brown and Fatlip all had big breaks when they passed on their demo tape to Mike Andrews, a record executive at Delicious Vinyl Records. That same summer they were signed.
Slimkid3, Imani and Bootie Brown had all gone to high school together, and had their start in entertainment as dancers with their most notable feature as background dancers for the television show In Living Color. The three soon met Fatlip and producer J-Swift in an after school music program taught by RnB musician Reggie Andrews. Andrews (who had done music with Rick James) considered J-Swift his star pupil. J was a musical prodigy who was an excellent piano and bass player. Andrews encouraged J-Swift to pursue production and beat making, buying him an Akai MPC60. When the 5 had formed The Pharcyde, their demo tape contained the songs 'Ya Mama', 'Passin' Me By' and 'Officer'. These tracks would soon be released on their debut album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde.
'Passin' Me By' was by far the groups biggest hit, helping them crossover to mainstream audiences. And just on the basis of this song they had earn their record deal. Each of the four MCs recounted schoolboy crushes, and J-Swift's production featured jazzy soundscapes and live instrumentation. The first sample heard in the opening is a high end filter of 'Are You Experienced?' by The Jimmi Hendrix Experience. This particular song was featured on Hendrix's 1967 release of the same name, and is listed as one of the 100 Greatest Songs by Rolling Stones Magazine.
The bassline you hear at 0:18 is from the song '125th Street Congress' by Weather Report. Weather Report is a 1970s fusion jazz band and to some is considered the pre-eminant jazz fusion band.
The bread and butter of the sample is the organ that you hear so prominent in the mix 7 seconds into the song. J-Swift used 'Summer in the City' by Quincy Jones an instrumental cover of the hit single by the Lovin' Spoonfulls. Just off the strength of this melody, Fatlip created the chorus "She keeps on passin' me by" which rather than being rapped was sung. After showing the sample to Quincy, he gave The Pharcyde the clearance to use the sample as well as giving them his blessing.
As soon as the drums from 'It's a New Day' by the Skull Snaps drops at 0:29, it's a beat. The Skull Snaps was a funk band who was originally known as the Diplomats (not to be confused with these Diplomats) and whose history is obscure, as the band was only together long enough to record self titled album in 1973. Since then their records have become legendary. This particular drum break has been sampled various times by other hip hop artists such as on Diamond D's 'Sally's Got a One Track Mind' and Camp Lo's 'Coolie High' among others.
The last sample used is heard in the chorus of the album. That would be the soprano sax of Larry Nozero on Eddie Russ' 'Hill Where the Lord Hides'. Russ, a keyboardist during the 1970s from Pittsburgh and Nozero, whom hailed from Detroit, played together in a jazz band called Mixed Bag. Swift's sample of Nozero's sax is slightly tuned up, and is by far the most jazzy portion of the beat, which is signature to his sound.
Sample starts at 1:43
For J-Swift to sample 5 songs and layer them elaborately and seamlessly is impressive. To me The Pharcyde has always stood out among its West Coast counterparts. During 1992, while there were more gangster rap or hardcore acts such as Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, The Pharcyde featured a more alternative sound that many liken to that of De La Soul. Although they did not reach the success of such albums as Doggystyle or The Chronic, The Pharcyde did make their mark on the charts. However, their next release Labcabincalifornia would not result in such a critical response as Bizarre Ride II. During the recording process of their first album, Swift would leave the group due to internal problems, feeling as though he was not compensated for his work. He soon also fell victim to crack cocaine addiction, and would not be featured on the second release. Instead the group turned to Detroit producer J Dilla (then known as Jay Dee). Luckily, J-Swift has since then recovered from his addiction. But unfortunately there are still rifts among the members, and many of them have yet to settle their differences. Despite this, we will always have Bizarre Ride II, a classic which has withstood the test of time.
The last sample used is heard in the chorus of the album. That would be the soprano sax of Larry Nozero on Eddie Russ' 'Hill Where the Lord Hides'. Russ, a keyboardist during the 1970s from Pittsburgh and Nozero, whom hailed from Detroit, played together in a jazz band called Mixed Bag. Swift's sample of Nozero's sax is slightly tuned up, and is by far the most jazzy portion of the beat, which is signature to his sound.
For J-Swift to sample 5 songs and layer them elaborately and seamlessly is impressive. To me The Pharcyde has always stood out among its West Coast counterparts. During 1992, while there were more gangster rap or hardcore acts such as Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, The Pharcyde featured a more alternative sound that many liken to that of De La Soul. Although they did not reach the success of such albums as Doggystyle or The Chronic, The Pharcyde did make their mark on the charts. However, their next release Labcabincalifornia would not result in such a critical response as Bizarre Ride II. During the recording process of their first album, Swift would leave the group due to internal problems, feeling as though he was not compensated for his work. He soon also fell victim to crack cocaine addiction, and would not be featured on the second release. Instead the group turned to Detroit producer J Dilla (then known as Jay Dee). Luckily, J-Swift has since then recovered from his addiction. But unfortunately there are still rifts among the members, and many of them have yet to settle their differences. Despite this, we will always have Bizarre Ride II, a classic which has withstood the test of time.
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