This week’s third artist is Massive Attack a English Trip Hop, Electronic, and experimental rock production group. Its members are Robert “3D” Del Naja, Grant “Daddy G” Marshall and formerly Andy “Mushroom” Vowles (“Mush”). Releasing 6 albums as a group they collaborated with and remixed stars like Madonna, Garbage, and David Bowie. Their entire Protection album was remixed by Mad Professor in 1995. This project was called No Protection. I bring the Protection album and song up because its a good example of sampling is used to create a different project. The Song by Massive Attack is “Protection”. Protection is collaboration between Massive Attack and Everything But the Girl singer Tracey Thorn that appeared on Massive Attack’s album Protection on CD and 12″ in 1994. I choose this group and song because they sampled James Brown’s “The Pay Back”. Massive attack took the constant drive of the Wah-Wah Guitar and the Hi-hat and Bass pattern. While there is a list of remixes by a number of influential producers and DJ’s I like the original the most. It’s definitely got that laid back 90’s feel to it. It differs from the original as James Brown’s The Pay Back is more of a Funk track.
The fourth artist this week is Total a popular R&B/”New Jill Flava”group during the 1990’s. Comprised of three singers Keisha Spivey Pam Long J and JaKima Raynor these ladies made their debut along side the rapper Notorious Big on his One More Chance record. With hits like “No One Else,” “Kissin’ You,” and “Do You Think About Us?”. Despite only releasing two albums Total held their own during Bad Boys most successful years as a label. Working with other artists like Faith, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot and Mase the ladies carried a distinct soulful yet edge approach to R&B. The Song I’d like to focus on is Total’s Can’t you See which also samples James Brown’s The Pay Back. Just like Massive Attack’s song there are several notable remixes to their song as well. Included on their debut album and The New Jersey Drive Soundtrack the track uses the same Wah-Wah Guitar and Bass pattern from James Brown’s Song. Where the two differ is there are other elements added such as the piano. While Massive Attack and Total songs came out around the same time and utilize similar elements Massive Attack sticks more to the original drum groove and uses a synth pad and a constant bass movement that makes the song sound more electronic and kind of pushes the song along.
James Brown- The Pay Back (Original Song)
Massive Attack- Protection
Total- Can’t You See
Works Cited
Ankeny, J. (2016). Massive Attack. Retrieved 02 28, 2016, from Allmusic.com: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/massive-attack-mn0000378288
Ankeny, J. (2016). Total Biography. Retrieved 02 28, 2016, from Allmusic.com: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/total-mn0000002750/songs
Jason Ankeny, R. (2016). Total Biorgraphy . Retrieved 02 28, 2016, from Billboard.com: http://www.billboard.com/artist/430293/total/biography
ShanaBurwell 