Chance Meeting
Friday June 7th, 2024 with Heavy Ben
Coversions XII: The Building Blocks of Hip Hop - David Axelrod productions

covers | versions | edits | dubs | remixes Chance meeting on the Edge of a Capricorn and a Web This is the 4th part of the David Axelrod series, beginning on his birthday on April 17. (1) In A Mellow Tone - David Axelrod: Jazz, Soundtracks, Fusion, Funk and Soul https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/94/64844.html (2) Chance Meeting - Coversions XI: The Building Blocks of Hip Hop - David Axelrod recordings https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/581/64938.html (3) Heavy Friends - David Axelrod: Soul, Psych, Funk, Pop, Jazz https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/410/65386.html Like most middle-aged white men, David Axelrod did not care much for hip hop or rap. It was based on digitizing performances by real people who put their blood, sweat, tears, and dollars into those records. The original 1960s and 70s composers and musicians rarely saw a dime amid the hits and bling. To make matters worse, hip hop took jobs from musicians. Recall that drum machines were stealing jobs from drummers in the 1980s. How quaint. Copyright laws adapted, royalty cheques started rolling in, and Axe warmed up to the idea. His ear attuned to the mad creativity in sampling. After an extended rough period personally and financially, in 2001 David worked with Mo'Wax to resurrect 32 year old tapes into a "new" album with song titles such as 'The Dr & The Diamond' as a tip of the cap to hip hop producers that sampled his work. It is a fitting "full circle" for Axelrod who grew up in Los Angeles, frequenting jazz and R&B clubs, going as far as saying, "I was raised by blacks". In 1963 Axelrod joined the staff of Capitol Records as an executive focused on developing talent, helping to create what he said was the first black music division at a major label. Questlove in 2017 after Axelrod died: So sad to hear about the passing of musician/composer #DavidAxelrod. He was so immersed in creativity and so pure with his arrangements he WAS hip hop. And understood and appreciated hip hop culture (most cats would get guarded about time moving on & easily take the "NO!!!!!!!!" disposition if they aren't informed. David embraced and often reached out to producers and beatmakers for cool collabos) he appreciation for music and his ability to recognize musicianship is what I'll take from him. Rest in Melody. David Axelrod and James Lavelle (Mo Wax) in 2001 discussing sampling, hip hop, 1960s Capitol Records, and a "new" 2001 record. https://youtu.be/7rLjmlKsvUw (to embiggen the show icon, right-click and choose "Open image in new tab")