Nice analysis. I feel like we have the same thought processes when listenin to Premo’s work

I’m not saying the drums have problems exactly, just that the particular drum sound and patterns on some of the tracks from that era are not my favourite. The are a bit more sterile and abrasive than my preferred Preem style. The Afu-ra Big Acts, Little Acts remix has a different pattern, but again uses a similar cold, hard snare sound that I don’t like so much. Other ones are Set Me Free by Pushim, Clockwork by Dilated, Goldyn Chyld by Rass Kass. I prefer the longer snare sound and pitter patter hi hats of Nas is Like, War Games, Full Clip or Voodoo Child.

Preem obviously goes through phases of using similar (or even identical) sets of sounds. Those sounds groupings create a series of eras within his body of work — and he constantly evolves them a little. Notice how in the past 6 or 7 years he’s made a lot of beats where the hi-hats drop out on a lot of the beats? On some, there’s hardly any hi-hats. That wouldn’t have happened back in 1994. Like a lot of people on this board, I think it’s great that he switches it up, but sometimes you want to hear something that reminds you of a past period. I think it’s the drum sounds that mainly define those eras.

Everyone on this board has probably listened to more than a few hundred DJ Premier tracks. I think it’s natural to draw out the similarities and differences. Some tracks feel like they are part of the norms of that moment, others really standout as something unique (like You Know My Steez or Skillz).

My musical knowledge and vocab is weak, but there are interesting themes going in throughout Preem’s work that I think merit further study . No doubt changes in technology, influences and commissioned work all play a part.

Boom-Bap!

Listen to it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-Explicit/dp/B009Y8HREQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355914939&sr=8-1&keywords=sean+price+pyrex

Any chance of running this poll for some previous years? The lists since 2008 make good reading, but I’d be interested to see what people think are the best beats from a classic year like ’95 or ’96, or from one of those early 2000s when the drum sounds change a little and just didn’t sound right (like those Limp BizKit remixes, the RIse n Shine joint and Gang Starr’s ‘Battle’. Anyone know what that was about?

Anyway, here’s my list for 1997. Picked that one co’s it’s still a classic year, but no dedicated Gang Starr Foundation albums to clog up the options. Just looking as this list is ridiculous. What a year!

1. New York (Ya’ Out There) — Rakim
2. Me, Not The Paper (Remix) — Jeru the Damaja
3. War Games — O.C.
4. You Know My Steez — Gang Starr
5. It’s Been A Long Time — Rakim
6. Take Your Partner By The Hand (DJ Premier Remix) — Howie B
7. M.U.G. (Money Under Ground) — O.C.
8. Win The G — O.C.
9. Music Evolution (DJ Premier Version) — Buckshot LeFonque
10. Ten Crack Commandments — The Notorious B.I.G.
11. Some Shit — The Lady of Rage
12. Intro/A Million And One Questions/Rhyme No More — Jay-Z
13. Kick In The Door — The Notorious B.I.G.
14. Against The Grain — Sauce Money
15. Gettin’ Closer To God — Krumb Snatcha
16. The Enemy — D.I.T.C.
17. Microphone Pon Cok — The Lady of Rage
18. My World — O.C.
19. So Wassup?! — Gang Starr
20. Royalty — Gang Starr
21. Friend Or Foe ’98 — Jay-Z
22. The Untouchable — Zeebra
23. Together Again (DJ Premier 100 In A 50 Remix) — Janet Jackson
24. Together Again (DJ Premier Just Tha Bass) — anet Jackson
25. Cop Hell — Mobb Deep

They’s all good down as far as Janet. New stuff is always worth a listen, but Preem has quite a legacy to live up to!