Drop The Needle: illy B Eats Volume 1

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Drop The Needle: illy B Eats Volume 1 album cover
Album Information

Total Tracks: 25   Total Length: 84:35

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Loopy Swagger from MMWs illyB.

DrBlackBerry

Medeski, Martin, and Wood have an amazing ability to be abstract and outlandish while never losing touch of rhythm. Billy Martin is that unifying force. Pulling his beats away from the bass and keyboard stylings of Chris Wood and John Medeski reveal their spartan swagger. Though not as listenable as MMW's albums, these tunes infuse a bit of originality to the beat sample world of Hip-Hop, much of which has all started to sound the same. If MMW OR Hip Hop start to sound normal and homegenous to you, listen to this.

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They Say All Music Guide

Intended to be used by DJs, this vinyl-only release of breakbeats by Medeski, Martin & Wood drummer Billy Martin (aka illy B) contains 13 unique beats produced by Martin and longtime MMW collaborator Scotty Hard. Though it is not intended to be listened to straight through, Martin and Hard infuse the tracks with other sounds — blurping synthesizers, rhythmic static, and assorted noises — that make listening a linear experience. Martin’s ultra-melodic, super-sensitive drumming absolutely shines here, making a case for Martin as a truly revolutionary innovator of the instrument. The pieces are structured like songs, with other parts coming in at appropriate times. It’s hard to imagine what DJs might do with this music, because Martin has made each track so complete — though that process of envisioning is certainly one of the pleasures of listening to illy B Eats, Vol. 1. – Jesse Jarnow

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