The month of April is for acknowledging the fantastic sound of Jazz. From Ragtime and Bebop to Fusion and Modal, the genre’s endurance is awe inspiring, and it remains a foundation for many of the sounds we know and love. So much so that for over four decades, Jazz has lent itself to other sounds by way of sampling, transporting its rhythms and vibes to Hip-Hop, Funk and House among many others.
We’ve searched our platform to make a list of some of our favorite moments of sampling brilliance from the sound called Jazz.
L.O.O.S. – Grease The Groove 3: Funky Covers & Classic Jazz-Funk Sampled In House Music
This mix by Belgium-based L.O.O.S. is sure to bring some bliss to your day. ‘Grease The Groove’ does a perfect job in showcasing the influence of Jazz on House music. It brims with tracks brimming with trumpets, saxophones and Jazz riffs that add balance to House’s classic 4/4 tempo.
DJ TAKMA – Soul & Jazz Sampling In Hip-Hop
Of all genres to benefit from Jazz’s legacy, Hip-Hop is right up there. Jazz’s unruly son, Hip-Hop has innovated with its subtle and overt sampling of Jazz over the years. Japan’s DJ TAKMA explores this connection here. He plays some classic Rap tracks, preceded by the tracks where they take their sonic elements from. A real history lesson!
Salir Radio – Headonist Jazz Radio – Bob James (Sampled)
Bob James is one of the most sampled artists of all time, with nearly 2000 tracks borrowing from his greatness. Among these, his song ‘Nautilus’ has been sampled over 400 times, which tells you a lot about his influence! Headonist Jazz Radio, broadcasting on Portuguese station Salir Radio, pays homage to this lineage. It explores just some of these tunes, with Jungle and Rap on full display.
Adam Kvasnica – Jazz & Soul Sampling In Hip-Hop
Slovakia’s Adam Kvasnica dives head first into Hip-Hop’s Jazz foundations. He plays tracks by Quincy Jones, Tom Scott, Reuben Wilson and Grant Green. Then, he demonstrates how they were sampled by The Pharcyde, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Cypress Hill and more.
NTS Radio – Sameed – A Tribe Called Quest Jazz Samples
A book could be written about the impact of Jazz on one of the greatest musical groups of all time, A Tribe Called Quest. Not only did the sound empower the careers of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White by giving them samples for days, but their output was such that Rap commentators had to invent a new subgenre for their sound: Jazz Rap. Representing NTS Radio, Sameed puts together a host of Jazz tracks that the Tribe used. This gives us insight into the brilliance of their musicality.
Dog Ear Sessions – Jazz Samples In Hip-Hop
Dog Ear Sessions pulled out the vinyl decks for their celebration of Jazz, shining light on some deep Hip-Hop cuts sampling Jazz tracks that have also been sampled on more recognisable Rap anthems. This mix shows us the finer details of sampling; what sounds like a chord to us is broken down and expanded on intricately in a new musical realm by Rap producers the world over.
Voices Radio – Thank You 4 Your Service w/ THEMPRESS
Transmitting from Voices Radio, THEMPRESS takes you on a journey from Jazz, Rap, Funk and Soul from the 1970s onwards. As well as amazing music, she shares more tidbits linking Jazz and Rap, like the fact that The Notorious B.I.G. was mentored by saxophonist Donald Harrison, thus building more spiritual links between sounds.
OliWo – Hip-Hop Meets Its Samples
OliWo crafts an immersive adventure in ‘Hip-Hop Meets Its Samples.’ He seamlessly blends Rap and Jazz with each other while applying some banging DJ scratches for added effect. Play this from front to back and you hear a real story being told.
Revisit our 2024 tribute to Jazz Appreciation Month where we showcased some of our favorite moments of brilliance from the sound heard around the globe.