Track-By-Track Reviews

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Track by Track The Notorious B.I.G – ‘Life After Death’

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Track by Track
The Notorious B.I.G – Life After Death
Review by: Frankie P

Life After Death – The Notorious BIG

There is not much left to say about Life After Death. This album will
forever hold its place in history as arguably one of the best hip hop
albums of all time. Lyrically, no one could touch Bigge, and still
cant… Its hard to believe he was just getting started in the game
when he left us.

For this special edition of the iStandard track by track, lets break
down the producers and samples that made this a timeless piece of art
and music history.

DISC 1

Life After Death (Intro) – Produced by Sean “Puffy” Combs & Steven
“Stevie J” Jordan for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of “This
Masquerade” by George Benson)

This set a great tone for the feel of the album. Props to Stevie J for
taking this George Benson sample and incorporating live
instrumentation in the mix. This intro still gives me chills years
later…

Somebody’s Gotta Die – Produced by Nashiem Myrick, Carlos “6 July”
Broady & Sean “Puffy” Combs for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of “In
the Rain” by The Dramatics)

This sample has been used over and over again but this one is special.
The Hitmen turned this track into a great back drop for what seems
like a movie narrated bv Big.

Hypnotize – Produced by Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie, Ron “Amen-Ra”
Lawrence & Sean “Puffy” Combs for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of
“Rise” by Herb Alpert, Contains a sample of “Young Lust” by Pink
Floyd, Interpolates “La Di Da Di” by Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh)

Big shout out to D-Dot and Amen Ra for being brave enough to flip
this. Hypnontize had a very simple sample with a great feel… This
joint was a smash!

Kick in the Door - Produced by DJ Premier for Works of Mart
Productions,Inc (Contains a sample of “I Put A Spell On You” by
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins)

Another classic Premo track. He did a great job flipping this Jay
Hawkins track. Premos drums on this track were MEAN!

Fuck You Tonight ft. R Kelly – Daron Jones & Sean “Puffy” Combs for The Hitmen

One of my favorite tracks on the album and one of the few without a
sample. R Kelly was untouchable back then. This def. goes down as one
of the best collaborations Biggie did. That Lead riff is undeniable
heat.

Last Day ft. The Lox – Produced by Havoc, co-produced by Sean “Puffy”
Combs & Stevie J for The Hitmen

Another Dope track with no sample. Props to Havoc for getting on the
album. Lyrically, this track is amazing. The production is also great.

I Love the Dough ft. Jay Z – Produced by Easy Mo Bee for Bee Mo Easy
Productions,Inc. (Contains a sample of *”I Love You More” by Rene &
Angela, Synth lead based on “Do You Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart)

Not one of favorite tracks on the album but The sample is dope. Easy
Mo Bee flips this Rene & Angela classic. I know am going to catch some
hate on this but I never really liked Jay Z’s verse on this one…

What’s Beef - Produced by Nashiem Myrick & Carlos “6 July” Broady for
the Hitmen, co-produced by Paragon (Contains a sample of I’m Glad
You’re Mine by Al Green, Contains a sample of Can You Rock It Like
This by Run DMC)

This might be my favorite song on the album. Nashiem & 6 July borrowed
classic drums from Al Green and the melody from Run DMC.

B.I.G. Interlude - Produced by The Notorious B.I.G. & Deric “D-Dot”
Angelettie for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of *”P.S.K. What Does It
Mean?” by Schooly D)

Another classic drum break. This is def. one of the more popular
tracks on the album. Biggies flow was on point on this one. The reverb
on the vocals added a great effect to the track overall.

Mo Money Mo Problems ft. Puffy, Mase, and Kelly Price – Produced by
Steven “Stevie J” Jordan & Sean “Puffy” Combs for The Hitmen (Contains
a sample of *”I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross)

Stevie J murdered this one. The clearance check must of hurt
though…lol. What more can be said about “Mo money, mo problems”.
This was a classic moment is pop culture/ hip hop history.

Niggas Bleed - Produced by Nashiem Myrick, Carlos “6 July” Broady &
Steven “Stevie J” Jordan for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of “Hey Who
Really Cares” by The Whispers)

I love this song by The Whispers. The Hitmen could have approached
this sample a million ways but they did a great job. I love the eq and
reverb on the snare. It opens up the beat so it doesnt sound as dry.

I Got a Story to Tell – Produced by Buckwild for Kurrup Money
Entertainment, co-produced by Chucky Thompson & Sean “Puffy” Combs for
The Hitmen (Contains a sample of *”I’m Glad You’re Mine” by Al Green)

Shout out to Buck! This is another highlight on the album. Once again,
Al Greens’ “I’m Glad Your Mine” was used. Biggie shows off his story
telling skills over a classic instrumental.

DISC 2

Notorious Thugs ft. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Produced by Steven “Stevie
J” Jordan & Sean “Puffy” Combs for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of
“More Than Love” by Ohio Players)

Miss U ft. 112 - Produced by Kay Gee (Contains a sample of “Missing
You” by Diana Ross)

Here we get Diana Ross sampled for the second time on the album. Kay
Gee did a great job on this beat. I love the intro.

Another ft. Lil’ Kim – Produced by Steven “Stevie J” Jordan & Sean
“Puffy” Combs for The Hitmen (Contains a sample and interpolation of
“Another Man” by Barbara Mason)

Goin Back to Cali - Produced by Easy Mo Bee for Bee Mo Easy
Productions,Inc. (Contains a sample of “More Bounce To The Ounce” by
Zapp)

Classic Easy Mo. I loved the way he flipped this one.

Ten Crack Commandments – Produced by DJ Premier for Works of Mart
Productions,Inc. (Contains a sample of “Valantra” by Les McCann,
Contains a sample of “Shut ‘Em Down” by Public Enemy)

Arguably, one of the hardest hip hop tracks of all time! Premo made a
masterpiece with this Les McCann sample. I dont think any other
producer would have approached that sample the way he did.

Playa Hater - Produced by Sean “Puffy” Combs & Steven “Stevie J”
Jordan for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of “Hey! Love” by The
Delfonics)

Another one of my favortites. The beat is crazy and Biggie gets to
show his funny character side signing on the track

Nasty Boy – Produced by Sean “Puffy” Combs & Steven “Stevie J” Jordan
for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of “Cavern” by Liquid Liquid)

Stevie J was all over this album. He did a great job of balancing
party and street tracks. This one one of the tracks the girls loved.
Great sample.

Sky’s the Limit ft. 112 – Produced by Clark Kent (Contains a sample of
“Keep On” by D. Train, Contains a sample of “My Flame” by Bobby
Caldwell)

I love the original version by Bobby Caldwell. MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN
ALL THE WAY THROUGH!

The World Is Filled… ft. Carl Thomas, Puff Daddy & Too Short -
Produced by Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie & Sean “Puffy” Combs for The
Hitmen (Contains a sample of “Space Talk” by Asha Puthli)

Another banger from D-Dot!

My Downfall ft. DMC – Produced by Carlos “6 July” Broady, Nashiem
Myrick & Sean “Puffy” Combs for The Hitmen (Contains a sample of
“You’re All I Need To Get By” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Contains
a sample of “For The Good Times” by Al Green)

6 July takes uses classic sample ( also used by Method Man and Mary J Blige).

Long Kiss Goodnight – Produced by RZA (Contains a sample of “The
Letter” by Al Green

You’re Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You) ft. Faith Evans – Produced by
Sean “Puffy” Combs & Steven “Stevie J” Jordan for The Hitmen,
co-produced by DJ Enuff & Jiv Poss

Dope outro track and another one without a sample.

Overall – 5 out of 5

I hope you enjoyed the sample breakdown. This was definitly a time in
history that will always be remembered by this album. All the
producers that were a part of this masterpiece are a part of history.

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Track by Track review of Sade’s ‘Solider of Love’

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010


Soldier of Love – Sade

Track by Track
Sade – Solider of Love
Review by: Frankie P

If you are reading your first Track by Track, here on iStandardProducers.com, then there are a few things you must know:
#1 The writers here at iStandardProducers.com focus mostly on the beats … obviously – hence the name “PRODUCERS” in iStandardProducers.com… however we are still reviewing the record as a whole.
#2 EVERY track gets equal shine…
#3 You know how we do it…we don’t check the credits until the album is heard in its entire.

1. The Moon and the Sky – (Produced by Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman) Timeless music! The guitar licks sound great. The acoustic guitar plays the background but serves its purpose. The mix is great. All the instruments have their own space. It is lyrically as good as the production. Sade switches up the melody completely towards the end. Overall, dope track! This would be a great follow up single.

2. Solider of Love – (Produced by Adu, Hale, Matthewman, Paul S. Denman) Instant classic. Very few artists can be gone for 10 years and come back this strong. The military drum pattern gives the track the edge it needed. For the younger producers out there, I am sure almost all of your favorite producers / artists are influenced by Sade. This is what the soul of hip hop is ( that’s why 100000000 rappers flowed over this beat – lol). The production is crazy, vocally, Sade delivered as always. All the drops keep the listener entertained and anxious to hear what comes next. Also, the guitar effect is amazing ( it sounds like a dirty fuzz plugin).
P.S – The sax intro is insane!

3. Morning Bird – Produced by (Adu, Hale, Matthewman) One of my favorite tracks on the album. I love how the piano in the intro uses augmented notes which sound a bit off until the chord progression begins. The shaker percussion’s sound hot. Sometimes less is more. This is a perfect example. The string section gives the track movement and brings a mysterious feel. The instruments almost put you in a trance. Sade does great vocally but my ear automatically tunes into the instruments on this one.

4. Babyfather – (Produced by Adu, Matthewman, Juan Janes, Andrew Nichols) Not one of my favorites but still a solid song. This has a lot of potential for television and movie placements (I would put money on it!). The rhythm guitar sticks out to me on this one.

5. Long Hard Road – (Produced by Adu, Janes, Nicholls) Another solid track but nothing really caught my ear. It has a great message. It sounds like they used a jazz kit for the drums (the brush hit as the snare is great). It didn’t have anything that kept me wanting to hear more. I found myself going to the next track after the first hook.

6. Be That Easy – (Produced by Adu, Matthewman) The album lost its edge towards the middle for me. The first 3 songs grabbed my attention right away and gave us a taste of the classic Sade with a twist of a new sound. This particular song bored me a bit. The production didn’t really grab my attention. It sounds like something that has been done over and over again. I like when artists take risks!

7. Bring Me Home – (Produced by Adu, Hale, Matthewman) This track is a bit more uptempo which was needed after the last 2 tracks. I am not too found of the guitar but the drums and bass line pick up for it. Pay attention to the background vocals (they make a difference engineers!). Small details like that fill up your tracks. It gets kind of repetitive after a while but still a decent song.

8. In Another Time – (Produced by Adu, Hale, Matthewman) This track has more of a soulful vibe. The guitar stabs over the snare give you that classic mo-town sound. It almost sounds like a John Mayer instrumental before the vocals come in. I love the hook musically. The horn section is not dominant but serves its purpose well. The wah wah guitar on the hook opens up the track perfectly. This is a very relaxing song. One of my favorites. Also, the mix on this one stood out to me. the kicks and bass line gel perfectly.

9. Skin – (Produced by Adu, Hale, Matthewman, Denman) This has to be the next single! Lyrically, the message is great. I think almost everyone can relate to this song one way or another. The guitar melody is extremely infectious. I found myself humming it all day. I love the drum pattern and bass line. Musically, it sounds current but it still has that classic Sade flavor. If you listen closely, the chord progression is very simple. The vocals are doing alot of the movement. This is definitely a highlight on the album. Make sure you play this one back!

10. The Safest Place – (Produced by Adu, Hale) Very powerful lyrics but the production did not do it justice. I wish they would have added a bass line and drums instead of just using guitar and strings. I am a bit disappointed with the ending of the album.

Overall -

The new Sade album is decent. I think this will be one of those albums that grow on me over time. She is always going to deliver classic music. What she makes is timeless. Hopefully, she will not take long to put out another album. The music industry needs this balance. Musically, this album is great. Hopefully producers get inspired and get back to incorporating live music in their production.

3 out of 5


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Rocksmith Tokyo x Donny Goines = 20X – Live Track-By-Track

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

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Track by Track Review of Omarions’s “Ollusion”

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

ollusion

Track by Track
Omarion – Ollusion
Review by: Conyak

Ollusion – Omarion
If you are reading your first Track by Track, here on iStandardProducers.com, then there are a few things you must know:
#1 The writers here at iStandardProducers.com focus mostly on the beats … obviously – hence the name “PRODUCERS” in iStandardProducers.com… however we are still reviewing the record as a whole.
#2 EVERY track gets equal shine…
#3 You know how we do it…we don’t check the credits until the album is heard in its entire.

1. I Get It In featuring Gucci Mane [Produced by Tank] – The 808’s in the beginning caught my attention before the beat even drop, “Nice”. They say less sometimes is best, In this case its true. The bass, snare drum, and brass hits makes the whole song. The Marching band portrays the whole  musical production of the song in the video, again simple is an straight to the point. We hear can Gucci Mane on this track, Lil Wayne is not the only one jumping on  everything. Gucci Is someone we’re getting use to hearing. I can say this track is a good entertaining radio play track, nothing classic but its what some people like to listen to. This song makes you want to get up and get it in and dance and this is whats expected from O.

2. Kinkos featuring Fabolous [Produced by Tha Drummahz] – Nice piano intro,nothing too flashy and simple kicks to fill in the gaps. They is also really good work on the harmonies. Good after hours track. Ladies you agree?

3. Hoodie featuring Jay Rock [Produced by 253] – Omarion’s rap-singing on this dance track is ok. I guess hoodie is coming back in style, Thanks Rock! The beat is nothing impressive, many producers I feel can do the same or much more. But the song will get its respectable amount of spins.

4.What Do You Say [Produced by Battle Roy] – This is a slow ballad that is very dreamy with lots of floating synth lines. Solid slow jam.

5. Speedin [Produced by 253] – This is the Omarion we are used  to hearing “IceBox”, pouring out his heart to a  certain  someone. The orchestrated symphonic sounds make it a nice modern Rnb ballad. I’m one   for harmonic strings and light synths, and a crazy guitar lead. The percussion on the track  has  nice march rhythm, with the snare ruffle, and kick on the 1+. The sounds you hear are  mostly used in todays  Rnb/Pop music. If your haven’t use any of these sounds you need an upgrade.  I can say “I accept  your  apology Omarion” after hearing this track.

6. Temptation [Produced by 253] – A good slow string melody, relaxing, chimes, shakers, and a little splash in the background, with the Boom  Boom! Good for a Love session ;)

7. Sweet Hangover [Produced by T-Pain] – “Snap your fingers do your step” with the synths in the back. It’s cool.

8. Thee Interlude (with Margues Houston) [Produced by Marques Houston] – No Comment

9. Wet [Produced by 253] – A little reverb on the snare, snaps, mello trix chords, and  a Rnb kick and you got your basic sex song – AOOOOW!  Anybody hear Ciara doing the remix?

10. I Think My Girl Is Bi [Produced by Maddscientist] - This track has a pop style and to me it sounds like a Timbaland  Production, something you would hear Lady Gaga on. The track has a

hot concept the lyrics are catchy, and some guys can actually relate to this. I like the flange effect on his vocals to make it sound like a guitar rip. I can’t wait for this video.

11. Code Red [Produced by 253] – Ok I like this, this well get another video for O.

Overall

This album lets us get to see Omarion switch it up a bit. For the most part all the songs

that are considered hot on his album, there will be a video for. So if there ain’t  no video

it wasn’t hot. I felt he could have went harder on a couple of tracks. The track that stood

out to me the most is Speeding I could have it on repeat, and not get annoyed. Let’s not

forget Omarion is an entertainer so his performance plays a major part in his music.

Rating: 3 out of 5


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Track by Track Review of Lil Wayne’s “Rebirth”

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Track by Track
Lil Wayne – Rebirth
Review by: Don Di Napoli

Rebirth – Lil Wayne

If you are reading your first Track by Track, here on iStandardProducers.com, then there are a few things you must know:
#1 The writers here at iStandardProducers.com focus mostly on the beats … obviously – hence the name “PRODUCERS” in iStandardProducers.com… however we are still reviewing the record as a whole.
#2 EVERY track gets equal shine…
#3 You know how we do it…we don’t check the credits until the album is heard in its entire.

1. “American Star” (Feat. Shanell) Produced by DJ Nasty and LVM

Wait a minute, I just popped in Lil Wayne’s newest release, why does the first song sound like “Eruption” from Van Halen’s eponymous 1978 debut is blaring through my speakers? Ahh that’s right, Lil Wayne did a “rock” album! I’m being sarcastic, for it was highly publicized that Wayne would follow-up 2008’s chart-topping “Tha Carter III” with a genre-bending follow-up. OK, I got through the intro. Wayne’s auto-tune drenched vocals over a pretty standard 4/3 drum beat (with an obnoxiously loud snare) and eighties style guitar sound OK, but somewhat unnatural and contrived. I like how DJ Nasty and LVM added a lush violin section towards the end of the song, which definitely could have been intertwined throughout the arrangement to give it some much needed depth.

2. “Prom Queen” (Feat. Shanell) Produced by DJ Infamous and Drew Correa

This song was leaked nearly a year before “Rebirth” was “officially” released, and I liked it when it came out, and still do. A chugging guitar intro opening sets the tone, and Wayne slyly rap/sings over a thunderous bass-heavy verses. The chorus is big with a fuzzy guitar providing accents over the same drum/bass beat that is present in the verses. Wayne definitely takes a page of our Liam Gallagher from Oasis’ book, with his snarling “She had it all figured ouuuuutttttttt….Fucked around and turned me doooooooowwwwnnn” vibrato. The guitar solo before the final chorus, which I believe Lil Wayne plays, is simple and understated, yet fits the overall vibe of this track.

3. “Ground Zero” Produced by DJ Infamous and Streetrunner

Infamous and Streetrunner start off with a nice 90’s Alternative bass line, in which a guitar melody plays tag-along with after the intro. This sounds like something that may have been done by a Pearl Jam rip-off band in the mid-nineties, and is very reminiscent of “Lounge Fly” by Stone Temple Pilots (a blatant PJ imitator). Once again, the drums on this song are mixed VERY loud, which I guess is what the engineer was going for. “Let’s jump off a building baby, let’s jump out a window” Wayne shrieks, and I could see most listeners following suit after this mediocre track.

4. “Da Da Da” Produced by Cool & Dre

Probably one of the most “comfortable” records on the album, as Cool & Dre lay down a dance-rock drum n’ bass foundation over a track that Wayne is basically spitting a garbled mess with what sounds like a Steve Miller Band “Ooo Ooo ooooo” sample underneath. This song could work in the clubs, but not at 10PM when people are rip roaring and ready to go – at 5AM when the manager is trying to get people to come down off of the plethora of designer drugs they’ve ingested and go home

5. “Paradice” Produced by Kevin Rudolf and Cool & Dre

Lil Wayne puts himself into an epic “Axl Rose – Chinese Democracy” mode on this track, questioning his super stardom and rapping over a simple, piano / violin driven track. One of the most lyrical tracks on “Rebirth”, as well as one of its shining moments, if any. The verses are lush and built to succeed once the chorus moans “Oh no, this ain’t paradice”

6. “Get A Life” Produced by Cool & Dre

In what sounds like a Fall Out Boy throwaway, this track is once again repetitive, annoying, and obnoxious. “I say Fuck You, Fuck You”. Yeah. Next please…

7. “On Fire” Produced by Cool & Dre

Taking a sample from a movie most of you have probably never heard of (”Scarface” – *snickers*), Cool & Dre do a nice job with the track. Sample is flipped properly, with the piano melody teasing and “She’s On Fire” inserted tastefully, plus the syncopated drums work, however this record has mixtape written all over it.

8. “Drop The World” (Feat. Eminem) Produced by Hit-Boy & Chase N. CasheVery intoxicating synth intro and outro. Wayne spitting as strong as I’ve heard him in awhile. Yes, I believe this is what “Tha Carter IV” should sound like. The only thing “rock” about this track are the (once again) loud drums that support the chorus. Lyrically, this is by far the strongest track as Wayne questions if he will ever be the ubiquitous and unchallenged #1 artist in the world, and Eminem (”Your days are numbered like pagers”) shares the same sentiments on his forceful verse. Overall, a top track on the album with repeat listening value.

9. “Runnin” (Feat. Shanell) Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League

Besides “Prom Queen”, “Runnin’” features the most realistic and catchy chorus, courtesy of Shanell. The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League are one of today’s most talented production teams, and here they shine with twirling and current guitar melody on the verses, and BIG build-up on the chorus

10. “One Way Trip” (Feat. Kevin Rudolf) Produced by Travis Barker, Kevin Rudolf, & DJ Infamous

Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone questioned Wayne’s taste in rock, saying “he’s mistakenly emulated the worst of the genre instead of digging a little bit deeper into something with a real soul”. I could not agree more with this statement. A once again stale drum pattern with no sort of risks taken, I think Wayne needs to take a listen to Mos Def’s “The Ecstatic” to understand that the Limp Bizkit/Kid Rock era of hip-hop/rock is over, and there is a lot more out there to emulate.

11. “Knockout” (Feat. Nicki Minaj) Produced by DJ Infamous

Once again, this song is not BAD. It’s just not GOOD. It sounds like something that Katy Perry would turn down, with amateur guitar playing and standard drumming. The effect used on Nicki Manaj’s verse is cool, but more of a throwaway.

12. “The Price Is Wrong” Produced by DJ Infamous

“We used to be the coolest couple back in high school high school my school ye ye ye ye ye, now she going out with some nigga name michael ok rifle ye ye ye ye ye”. This punk rock tinged closer of the album sounds bright, tinny, and contrived. Even wanna-be punk bands like The Offspring would shun this song, and it would make Joey Ramone roll over in his grave..

Overall

I will give Lil Wayne credit for actually releasing “Rebirth”, however I feel he picked the wrong collaborators on this. I love other production from Streetrunner, Cool & Dre, and Infamous, but I feel they were a in a bit over their heads attempting to make Lil Wayne look like a credible rock artist. The taste in rock here is outdated and poorly chosen. Lil Wayne needs to take a listen to the collaborations Jay-Z did with hot artists such as Ratatat, MGMT, and Empire of the Sun on “The Blueprint 3″, and understand music is so universal these days that it does not have to sound so forced and contrived. It’s all melding into each other, which is a beautiful and refreshing statement. “Confidence is the stain they can’t wipe off,” Wayne states, but I think he was a little bit overconfident and missed the boat on this one. Let’s hope Tha Carter IV is a return to form for a newly freed and talented man.

2 out of 5 “i’s”

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