Sample CDs
Oct 1, 2002 12:00 PM, By Dave Hill Jr.
Kandu Records
Dubb Trax
Dubb Trax ($99; distributed by Big Fish Audio) would really be more aptly titled Dre Trax or even Jay-Doggy-Z Trax, but a lawyer somewhere would probably raise an eyebrow. Created by Kandu Records, Dubb Trax provides “beat-on-the-spot” hip-hop and R&B drops for those who don't have the time or wherewithal to create music from the ground up. That is not a slight: The CD is a realistic option for young and aspiring MCs who want to be contenders but are limited by the size and scope of their studios. This audio CD contains longer-than-usual (four- to eight-bar) fully orchestrated musical loops in a swanky R&B, dark-gangsta-rap vein. More than 90 groove variations are packed in with stanky synths sawing over the top of thumping beats with fat bass rhythms. Although the completed nature of these tracks may startle sample purists (who require construction kits and Acid-ready loop samples), the audio fidelity will likely bring them around. The CD's last few tracks contain some soloed percussion and drum one-shots, as well as a few of the disc's best keyboard lines. Dubb Trax's lack of documentation, however, provides no tempo listings or song titles. Also, the audio-only nature is a bit limited. Perhaps my problem is that Dubb Trax is just misnamed, not mismarketed. The disclaimer should read: Warning! This disc sports zero trippy delays and no looming Laswellian bass, but a city block's worth of gangsta grooves. The Chronic is certainly in effect.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 3.5
Big Fish Audio; tel. (800) 717-3474; e-mail info@bigfishaudio.com; Web www.bigfishaudio.com
Omniman Sound Labs
Cornerstones — Drum & Percussion Tools
Remix takes great pains or, in this case, pleasures to discover the most current and relevant CDs for our readers. No exception is this month's Cornerstones — Drum & Percussion Tools ($39.99), an expertly recorded and professionally produced drum-loop library that sports more than 60 audio tracks of percussion and drum-set loops, along with a healthy batch of one-shot samples. The intense collage of breakbeat (drum set), ethnic percussion and world-beat flavor on Cornerstones is inspiring. The boisterous bounty of loops dabbles from American drum sets to Afro-Cuban conga and timbale patterns and then on to Brazilian samba and rhumba rhythms; Cornerstones remains true to the styles without feeling stuffy. For standout tracks, check out “Skins” (track 9), which features expertly compressed talking drum, dumbek and cowbells in driving stereo rhythms. Or try track 7, “Brush,” which is one of many funky one- and two-bar drum-set grooves with syncopated kick, snare and hat variations that are provided in both wet and dry (effects or no effects) formats. I should also point out that there are two CDs included in the set, one audio and one data CD, which include bonus breaks appropriately crackled via Omniman's Super Vinylizer effects arsenal. These final musings should cancel any doubt that Omniman has arrived and that these grooves are the cornerstone to a successful sampling career.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 5
Omniman Sound Labs; tel. (415) 922-1112; e-mail info@omniman.com; Web www.omniman.com
Sonic Foundry
David Torn:::SPLaTTeRCeLL — Textures for Electronica and Film Music
David Torn could easily be called one of the world's greatest sonic pioneers and a soul committed to loop-based music. His recent appearance on David Bowie's Heathen album confirms his sound is as innovative as it is in demand. Torn has also continued to record a string of successful sample CDs. Like any Torn recording, Textures ($59.95) is not a trip for the tame of ear. As his fans well know, Torn likes to push the limit, investigate new textures and boldly give you something you can't get anywhere else. All of that comes true within the 545 MB of loops found on Textures. Loops are classified into four separate moods, or cells. The most complete being the Microsong Cells, which are 12 truncated tunes that provide a few chord changes and some subtle arrangement ideas. Cell Damage is a stirred up and pensive batch of 60 moving drones and abstract-sounding electro percolations. In contrast, the 40 Hard Cells loops are chock-full of swirling machinelike sounds, ring-modulated guitars and nasty bits of digital tones. The group of Soft Cells will remind you of Torn's previous work (Cloud About Mercury, Tripping Over God) and take aim squarely between lush ambience and avant-electronica. Overall, the collection of sounds will suit the IDM crowd, as well as provide ambient-electronica and film-music makers some moving and thought-provoking tones.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4.5
Sonic Foundry; tel. 800-577-6642; e-mail customerservice@sonicfoundry.com; Web www.sonicfoundry.com
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