BeatSession 06|27|11

Original Sample:

Spinning Wheel by Lonnie Smith

If you’re a beatmaker, an MPC 2500 weighs 13.5 lbs. If you’re a DJ, each SL-1200 turntable weighs 25.7 lbs. If you’re Lonnie Smith, the Hammond B-3 Organ weighs 400+ pounds. This does not include the 160 lb Leslie Tone Cabinet/Speaker which needed to be connected to produce sound. Aside from it’s use for live music at sporting events, the Hammond B-3 Organ was the most popular weapon of choice for jazz organists during the late 60s and 70s.

Before being named “Organ Keyboardist of the Year” in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009 by the Jazz Journalist Association, Lonnie Smith released over 20+ albums during his 45 year career.

How amazing is Lonnie Smith on the Hammond B-3 Organ? Check out this CRAZY solo where he plays the organ pedals with his hands and plays the keys with his nose, mouth, and tongue. #Epic

He continues to release music today on Palmetto records with his most recent releases, Rise Up! (2009) and Spiral (2010). This week’s sample, Spinning Wheel, comes from Lonnie Smith’s 1970 album, Drives (Blue Note). This song is actually a instrumental cover of Blood, Sweat & Tears’ 1969 single off their self-titled album. Lonnie’s cover was sampled numerous times by various hip hop artists. How many times? At least 17 times (check the list of songs at the bottom of this post)

Original version of Spinning Wheel by Blood, Sweat & Tears (1969) performed live:

peace, @illa0804/@generationill

Featured Beats and Producers:

The Far Side feat. Marquiss by Chrizo (Las Piñas, Philippines)

Brainzzz by Bruce Juice (Orlando, FL)

F***IN CIRCUS by Blackph03nix (London, England)

Wheels on The Bus Joint by Mr. Klimatic (Toledo, OH)

The Broad Street Bully by 25/8 (Miami, FL)

My Girlfriend’s a Machine by Sideways (Portland, OR)

Distort by thadizzie1 (San Francisco, CA)

Ease Your Senses by NeV (Augusta, GA)

RememberWhenHipHopSoundedLikeThis? (feat. JuJu/the Beatnuts) by TheLoneStranger (Orlando, FL)

622 by Dingo (Detroit, MI)

Other Songs Which Use This Sample:

Can I Kick It? by A Tribe Called Quest (1990)
Buggin Out by A Tribe Called Quest (1991)
Enta Da Stage by Black Moon (1993)
Come on Everybody by Run-DMC (1993)
Black Smif-n-Wessun by Black Moon feat. Smif-N-Wessun (1993)
F.A.G. (Fake Ass Gangsta) by M.O.P. (1993)
Psycho Dwarf by The Beatnuts (1993)
Get on Up by Fat Joe (1993)
Kick the Bobo (Beatnuts Remix) by Prime Minister Pete Nice and Daddy Rich (1993)
Hostile by Erick Sermon feat. Keith Murray (1993)
Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber by Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
Drug Game by Ready Ta Roll (1994)
The Kid Is Crazy by A.D.O.R. (1994)
Whutcha Want? by Nine (1995)
Freestyle by Masta Ace (1995)
Amazing by Grand Puba (1995)
Didn’t Have a Clue by Brian Green (1996)