For the third installment in the Weekend Beats series, I decided to switch it up a little bit and introduce some funk into the mix with a “beat CD” from Will Sessions. They’re a Detroit-based band formed by established session musician, Sam Beaubien, who is the key arranger and also trumpet & keys in the group. They’ve already played on songs by artists like Buff1 (“Pretty Baby”), 14KT (“Less Than Enough”) and Black Milk (“Give The Drummer Some”), and have recently recorded parts for upcoming albums from both Slum Village (Barak) and Mayer Hawthorne (Stones Throw). They’ve also just released their debut album, Many Faces, and have also been playing shows around the Detroit area with MonicaBlaire (who just recently joined PPP‘s live line-up) on vocals.
So as an introduction to the beatheads and funk fans alike, Sam sent me an exclusive batch of beats & demos to spread around. The batch is about 1/3 hip-hop beats & loops, 1/3 covers of dusty funk 45′s and 1/3 jazzy jam sessions. Also included are two vocal tracks, with appearances from frequent collaborators, Buff1 and Asylum 7.
You can download the beat tape below or listen to some selected streams beforehand. For further insight on the tracks, stick around after the jump for some track-by-track commentary/liner notes from Mr. Beaubien himself. And for even more on Will Sessions, be sure to check out Sam’s featured interview with the good people over at Michigan Hip Hop from earlier this month, as well as this video of the group recording with Black Milk for the upcoming Slum Village album.
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DOWNLOAD: Will Sessions – Leaks Beat Tape
SUPPORT: Will Sessions – Many Faces AVAILABLE NOW
LINER NOTES:Commentary by Sam Beaubien SEE BELOW
1. No Name (instrumental) hip-hop:
This is just a beat I made about 2 months ago. I made the beat on an MPC and then added Bryan on drums. Not sure what I will do with it yet…..
2. Listen (feat. Asylum7) hip-hop:
I made this track about 3 years ago. I had been playing the keys for a few weeks and this is the first song we recorded as Will Sessions. Everything was done in one take. No Loops, chops, punchins (except the wind chimes and vocals)
3. Fiend (instrumental) hip-hop:
One of the first beats I made on the MPC about 2 years ago. Didnt add anything to this. Always wanted a MC on this, but never got around to recording anything.
4. Move (feat. Buff1) hip-hop:
This is actually the first beat I ever made, and the first track I recorded an MC on. Its real simple and I didnt chop it up much. I sent this with a few other tracks to Buff1 through myspace. He ended up liking this joint the most and we recorded it a few days later.
5. Jazz demo:
This is a mix of some Jazz that we recorded in my basement a few years ago. I think there is “Miles Stones,” “Maiden Voyage,” and “Cantaloupe Island.”
6. Funky Mirage (funk)
This is a cover of The Meters “Funky Miracle.” This arrangment is actually on a funk 45, but I’m not sure who did it. Recently, we got together in my basement one night and recorded covers of 10 funk 45′s in about 1 hour 30mins. Mostly done in one or two takes. It was a productive night!
7. Jam Sessions (hip hop covers, sample sources, originals, jams….)
This is just a bunch of stuff from some our sunday afternoon jams we have in my basement. These are all from my minidisc player.
8. You Got It All (funk)
Another funk 45 cover.
9. It Ain’t Fair But Its Fun (funk)
Funk 45 cover.
good morning, beats!
im feelin the whole weekend beats thing.thx!!!