Thanks to a friend, I’ve been introduced to variety of new music recently. Stuff that I’d have a hard time finding on my own.
One of the artists that I really like is RJD2. He started mixing in Columbus, OH, and then joined a rap group called MHz. Although RJD2’s genre is listed as Hip-hop, he has an eclectic release of music. Soul, Techno, hip-hop, house… Most people who have watched TV have heard his music as the the theme to a commercial or two.
My favorite song is “Smoke and Mirrors” because there is an old sample of a rhythm and blues song. It sounds almost like Jimmy Hendrix in the sample. However, it’s obvious when looking for the lyrics that it is not.
I’ve been trying to figure out who RJD2 sampled in Smoke and Mirrors ever since I first heard the song on a wonderful warm night heading into Portland, Oregon for dinner at Pok Pok. It’s baffled me, and a number of people in forums all over the web. No one seems to know who the sample is.
It’s been bugging me that I couldn’t find the name of the artist who was sampled. I mean, Holy crap, it’s the is the 21st century! Stuff like that should be the first link in Google!
Finally, with the help of NPR, this chapter in my life’s book is finished.
Last night I was listening to Remembering Bill Moss and Capsoul Records, capsoul being Columbus’s motown alternative, and wouldn’t you know it here comes the riff and the lyrics:
maybe sunshine, maybe rain
but as for me, I’ll wait and see
and maybe it’ll bring my love to me
There it is. It was an artist who was signed up with capsoul records in Ohio. It turned out to be: Marion Black - Who knows.
I’ll bet that RJD2 picked up some EP in a record store in Ohio and has had it stashed away in his collection.
who knows what tomorrow will bring
maybe sunshine, maybe rain
but as for me, I’ll wait and see
and maybe it’ll bring my love to me
who knows, who knows, who knows any better than I
that it’s she who is keeping me alive
keeping the little girl as my goal
makes my life worth living, you know
another day, another day, just another day, I want to live
to share the love that only she can give
and if she don’t, come on home
I pray the lord will help me carry on
another day, another day, just another day