Here's another new feature I've been thinking about for a while: You Haven't Heard...I always hope that I'm being informative and "cutting-edge" with the music that I choose to write about, but frankly that's just not always true. In fact, I operate on the assumption that if I've heard of a band, hipsters already think they're passé. But every once in a while I come across a beautiful song or an amazing band that practically none of my friends have heard of.
This feature is for music like that. And if you have heard of it, then you're probably cooler than me. (Though that's not really much of a feat.)
So I'm starting with a song from 1988 (ironically very much not cutting-edge). Gigi Masin's "Clouds." This is a track beautiful for its simplicity; a combination of a repeating synth backdrop and casual-yet-conscientious solo piano that produces incredible results.
What's really notable about this track, though, is the number and diversity of places that it's been sampled. I first heard it in Nujabes' "Latitude (Remix)" on Metaphorical Music - the background melody for some great rapping by Five Deez and, of course, Nubjabes' brilliant producing.
Next, I heard it in Björk's track "It's In Our Hands" off of Vespertine. "Clouds" starts the track, with Björk building more synth and production on top throughout the track. And then, of course, Björk's trademark singing at the forefront.
After hearing the sample pop up twice, I tried to find the original. My first search led me To Rocco Rot, a German elecronic group. A sample of "Clouds" is featured prominently in their song "Die Dinge Des Lebens". I was convinced for a while that this was the original, only to discover Gigi Masin a few months later.
An interesting musical trail, in my opinion. A song from 1988 appears in three different tracks over 10 years later (2003, 2001, and 1999, respectively), one hip-hop, one alternative, and one electronic.
Also, it appears Nujabes quite liked the track, as he later produced "Mystline" which is essentially a variation on "Clouds". I've listened to the track several times, but I never realized the connection until I was doing research for this post.
Hello! Thanks for quoting my original article (from myspace).
ReplyDeleteWell, as far as I know only Bjork asked for permission to use the track. I discovered the first sample by chance: I love krautrock & hip hop and I always kept myself updated with new releases... I especially liked the idea of quoting someone else's work in a different context. One day I was listening to the new 12" by To Rococo Rot in a local shop and I just couldn't believe my ears! The track wasn't only a sample of "Clouds" but it contained the entire sequencer loop! I played it so many times with Gigi, I just couldn't be wrong; I was excited at first but at a closer look I found no reference about the composer. I bought the record anyway and took it to Gigi. I remember that when we finished listening we looked into each other's eyes... TRR only wrote Gigi's name among the "thanks" section on the cd version. Many more samples followed through the years. Although I strongly believe in giving a proper credit to the actual composers ("sampling" is completely different than "stealing"), I loved the magic and mystery of this story. One thing for sure: Gigi's Korg is still floating above those "Clouds" and it will never land, I suppose...
Greetings from Venice,
Alessandro Monti :: Unfolk Collective
Hey, Great Post. Its always interesting to see where Masin's work has been re-interpreted. Would you know where i can find his discography?
ReplyDeleteHey, thank you! All of his releases are listed on Discogs. You can get his most recent release at his netlabel Laverna.
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