So far in the series we’ve checked out classics from both Black Sheep and Main source so for part three of Each One Teach One were going to focus on Digable Planets’ 1993 release Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) which was conceived, freaked, arranged and produced by the groups own – Butterfly.

Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) was Digable Planets’ official debut offering released back in 1993 on Electra Records. The record is well known for the track Rebirth of Slick (cool like that) which was a big hit back in that period and a track that gained the group a lot of air play and recognition. The entire album was produced by Butterfly who tended to dive into the jazz fusion side of things in his production, and the album as a whole could be filed under or seen as a ‘jazz-rap’ project. It was this initial sound that gained them success and one they drifted away from with their future release ‘Blowout Comb’ in 94 which was not as successful as Reachin’ but still contained some strong stand out tracks such as 9th Wonder (Blackitolism) for example.

The other members of the group include Doodlebug and Ladybug who were also known to be lyrically conscious in their raps. So all in all a classic combination and one that earned the LP a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a group in 1994 and was certified gold in 1993. It also made its way into the source’s top 100 rap albums in 1998. One important thing to note is that the album does not feature any guest appearances which was rare enough for full length releases around this time. While the  individual tracks on Reaching contain many samples, lets take a look at some of the main ones behind this album and rejoice in its essence!

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Digable Planets – Each One Teach One Part 3 by ChoiceCuts

Each One Teach One Playlist

Digable Planets – Each One Teach One Part 3 by ChoiceCuts

Its Good To Be Here

Original recording artist: Grant Green
Sample taken from: Samba De Orpheus
Appears on: Iron City Lp
Released by: Cobblestone – 1977

This Latin inspired cut by Grant Green is an incredible piece of work and proves to be the main hook used on ‘Its good to be here’ by Digable who certainly knew how to pick a sample. It features on the Iron City Lp which was one of Greens lesser known releases but a fans favorite so to speak. Samba De Orpheus is an organ / soul jazz favorite of mine and has some stand out solos from the other players on the album which even included Larry Young as well as the main trio, Big John Patton and long-time associate Ben Dixon on drums.

Pacifics

Original recording artist: Lonnie Liston Smith
Sample taken from: Devika (Goddess)
Appears on: Visons of a New World LP
Released by: Flying Dutchman – 1975

This track has also been sampled by Crucial Conflict on Lil Advice but its Digable who have relied heavily on the baseline in particular from this spiritual jazz cut by Lonnie Liston Smith. Visions of a New World is a relaxed fusion styled jazz funk masterpiece and alongside releases such as ‘Expansions’ (Flying Dutchman, 1974) & ‘Reflections of a Golden Dream’ (RCA, 1976) they have become favorites amongst Djs and collectors. Lonnie continued releasing records in this key and even had some crossover success with his ‘Space Lady’ cut which is certainly notable and one which can feature heavily on the dance floor.

Where I’m From

Original recording artist: KC & The Sunshine Band
Sample taken from: Aint Nothing Wrong
Appears on: Single 7”
Released by: RCA – 1975

What a sample! Simple and very very effective. This is one of the standout tracks from the Reachin album and a sample that done all the work itself. This was a b-side on the ‘That’s The Way (I Like It)’ 7” and featured on the self titled Lp – KC & The Sunshine Band who were a huge success. This Lp also featured heavy hitters such as “Get Down Tonight”, and “Boogie Shoes” and was only the groups second release. ‘Aint Nothing Wrong; however holds its own weight and is one of our favorite cuts from the Lp. Check it out!

What Cool Breezes Do

Original recording artist: The Crusaders
Sample taken from: Mystique Blues
Appears on: Crusaders 1 Lp
Released by: Blue Thumb Records – 1972

The Crusaders who were formerly known as the Jazz Crusaders were a free, soulful jazz fusion group from the 1960′s who had some great success and released some timeless albums around this period. This cut from the Crusaders comes of the fantastic Crusaders 1 Lp which was released in 1972 on Blue Thumb records and is a classic Jazz Lp. The main hook used on What Cool Breezes do is called Mystique Blues which has also been sampled by other artists such as KRS-1 on Squash all beef and on Ice Cubes The Birth from the Death Certificate album. Mystique Blues is an amazing piece of work and a track that can be found on many mix cds from J-Rocc to Paul Nice for example.

Time & Space (A New Refutation Of)

Original recording artist: Sonny Rollins
Sample taken from: Mambo Dance
Appears on: Single 7”
Released by: Prestige - ?

Mambo Dance is a 7” Ive only recently come across by Sonny Rollins Quartet due to compiling this edition of To Each One Teach One but is a record that I intend on playing out a lot more often now since that Ive found it. A nice early dancefloor cut if you like dig doing the Mambo. Great use of a sample from Butterfly who has tweeked it in such a way that it really comes to life and is one of the stronger cuts from Reachin..

Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)

Original recording artist: Art Blakey
Sample taken from: Stretching
Appears on: Reflections in Blue LP
Released by: Timeless Records – 1979

Another great LP from Art Blakey who rarely disappoints. This is another cut Ive come across from this mans exhausting but thrilling back catalog while putting together this edition. Its a track that will feature in all my Jazz sets from now on ( Im a ‘Jazzer’ at heart, the boogie stuff is just a front) and could also slot in well beside any set to be quite honest. The sample is just neck snapping material and it’s the track Digable Planets are most known for. Just check out the baseline at the beginning – and the drum loop around half way through – INCREDIBLE, and then Bang! the horns kick in. Absolute killer tune and one to play out loud. It doesn’t get much better for me.

Last Of The Spiddyocks

Original recording artist: The Honey Drippers
Sample taken from: Impeach The President
Appears on: Single 7”
Released by: Alaga – 1972

This track by The Honey Drippers should need no introduction so Ill keep this short. This hard-hitting funky soul break is the backbone for countless golden-era Hip-Hop classics such as Unbelievable by Biggie Smalls to De La’s Ring Ring Ring. It’s been used so much I can remember Gza rhyming that mcs are ‘still trippin of the beat to Impeach the President’. This break has been sampled and used  in every year since 1987. Fact! You’ve heard this a hundred times or more and it still sounds fresh as ever. A true classic this one! Nuff said…

Jimmi Diggin’ Cats

Original recording artist: Kool & The Gang
Sample taken from: Summer Madness
Appears on: Single 7”
Released by: Dee-Lite – 1975

Ah yes Summer Madness. A lesser known commercial hit by The Gang but one that is well known in the Hip Hop Community as its been sampled to death by numerous groups. Another great use of this cut was on DJ Premier’s ‘Deep Concentration’ . I love this record, its aged nicely over time as well and a track that will never get overplayed in my opinion. It features on the ‘Light of Worlds’ LP from 1975 and if you find it, purchase it as its terrific from start to end and has been considered to be one of their greatest achievements in recording. As Samuel Jackson put it in Pulp Fiction ‘its Kool & the Gang baybeeee’

La Femme Fetal

Original recording artist: The Last Poets
Sample taken from: Jazzoetry
Appears on: Jazzoetry LP
Released by: Douglas – 1976

Butterfly apparently loved The Last Poets and this is quite evident in his production and writing skills. Samples from the Jazzoetry Lp can also be found on “”Escapism (Gettin’ Free)” & “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” and generally throughout the album. The Last Poets have been described by many as the roots of rap and they consisted of a bunch of poets and musicians from the 1960s African America civil rights movement’s that were focused on free speech and Black Power so to speak. There back catalog is pretty extensive so if your looking for a place to start, start here with Jazzoetry yo!

Escapism (Gettin’ Free)

Original recording artist: Ohio Players
Sample taken from: Funky Worm
Appears on: Single 7”
Released by: Westbound – 1972

What a break! Pure west coast business and a break that gets me every time I hear it. I could put this on loop all day, put on my raiders cap and black tee on then vibe out with ease. Funky worm has been a cut that many producers over time have used even the great Dr.Dre whos used it on ‘Let me ride’ (stone cold classic) but its Digable here who have flipped it in a different way. This was the bands first major hit which reached #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and proved to be a huge success for the group. It features on the ‘Pain’ Lp from 1972. You know this cut!

Appointment At The Fat Clinic”

Original recording artist: Rashand Roland Kirk
Sample taken from: Blacknuss
Appears on: Blacknuss LP
Released by: Atlantic – 1971

Taken from the Blacknuss Lp from 1971. Rahand Roland Kirk was a jazz multi instrumentalist who played tenor saxophone, flute and many other instruments, sometimes all at once! Quite the talented musician, performer who also had great audacity and presence on stage. Blacknuss is a fantastic example of Kirks work and a great place to start if one were interested in getting familiar with his back catalog. Butterfly has tweeked the sample here to great effect from the original track. Check it out below!

Nickel Bags

Original recording artist: Curtis Mayfield
Sample taken from: Give me your love
Appears on: Superfly OST
Released by: Curtom Records – 1972

D.P will hit you with a Nickel Bag! Give me your love comes straight of the Superfly soundtrack from 1972 on Mayfields own label Curtom which you really should own – if you don’t already. Curtis Mayfield is hands down one of my favorite soul-singers and Im a huge fan of his music which I cant go a day without to be honest. While Nickel Bags has many samples running throughout, its this track that proves to be the noticeable riff with those killer guitar notes that Curtis used to hit so well. The main flute sample comes from Herbie Mann’s Push Push Lp which is also killer! Herbie Mann & Curtis Mayfield – a great combination…

Swoon Units

Original recording artist: Kain
Sample taken from: Black Satin Amazon Fire Engine Cry Baby
Appears on: The Blue Guerrilla LP
Released by: Juggernaut Records – 1972

The great thing about research is that it will undoubtedly expose you to new information. Ive never heard of Kain before and in the pursuit of finding out the sample used for Swoon Units I came across this gem. This track has my seal of approval all over it – even though Ive no idea what a Black Satin Amazon Fire Engine Cry Baby is or what the track is actually about. Thats why Im so intrigued by it – it gets better with every listen and its got a killer flow. Almost sounding like a hipper Nick Drake at times Kain’s approach with this one is on point. Pure groove! This comes straight of the Blue Guerrilla Lp from 1972 and is rare enough it seems but one that still can be found. Kain is the man! One of my personal favs of the Reachin Lp.

Examination Of What

Original recording artist: The Crusaders
Sample taken from: Listen and you’ll see
Appears on: Pass The Plate LP
Released by: Chisa Records 1972

The majority of samples used on Reachin tended to come from 1972 and this is another one. The Crusaders (formerly known as the Jazz crusaders) were a incredible group and had many hits. ‘Listen And You’ll See’ featured on the killer ‘Pass the Plate’ Lp and has featured on many mixtapes – including Madlibs 45′s podcast from Stones Throw amonst many more (including my own). The Crusaders have been sampled to death by the Hip Hop community but this has to be my own personal favorite track of theirs and could be suited to dancefloors in the right environment.  Absolutely love this cut and again a fantastic use of the sample from Butterfly who really nailed this one.