Nate Dogg - Music and Me (2001)

Last Tuesday, March the 15th, the world has lost a very colourful figure. A person who managed to introduce a new quality to the hip-hop culture by leading a completely new path. His unique approach to music, his great voice and great songs helped forge a whole new identity for the west-coast scene. Along other artists, he was responsible for crafting a unique sound - the G-Funk sound.

Nate was always involved in the west-coast scene. He made guest appearances on dozens of songs, working with artists such as: Xzibit, Ludacris, Dr.Dre, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Tupac, Tha Dogg Pound, etc. Adding Nate's voice singing that little hook always sweetened up a tune and gave it that one-of-a-kind feeling. These collaborations gave us such great songs as: Ludacris' 'Area Codes', Warren G's 'Regulate' and Dre's 'Deeez Nuuuts', among others.

Apart from that, Nate, with his cousin Snoop Dogg, and Warren G, formed in 2004 the famous trio: 213. The group released only one full album: 'The Hard Way', but it was a hell of a release. It featured such great tracks as: 'Groupie Luv', 'Gotta Find a Way' or 'Mary Jane'. Again, it proved that Nate, with the reinforcement of a couple of friends, can make great music.

As for the 'Music and Me' album...Here, Nate has a leading role, being the main actor for most of the songs and occasionally asking his friends to return the favour and make a guest appearance on his album. Therefore, apart from Nate Dizzle the release showcases a bunch of fantastic artists: Dr.Dre, Kurupt, Xzibit, Ludacris and Snoop Dogg.

'Music and Me', Nate's second solo production, is everything you would expect from a top-notch G-Funk album - 'low-rider' beats with a prominent bassline and rather sparse percussion arrangements, heavily-synthesized melodies, the odd pizzicato string here and there and of course Nate's soulful vocals (occasionally reinforced by female backing vocals). The lyrics are the industry standards, really. However, in my opinion, the album benefited from the guest appearances - guys like Kurupt or Xz drop some seriously sick lines. All in all I believe it's a fantastic album.

If you listen to the songs below, you'll know straight away why it was such a huge blow for black music to lose a quality artist like Nate Dogg. Anyways, I'm sure he's Keeping it G.A.N.G.S.T.A. in a better place now...RIP

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Muddy Waters - The Anthology (1947 - 1972) (2001)

I'm not a big fan of compilation albums, I'd usually rather go for the 'real deal'. But here, I'm very pleased to make an exception. This double disc set is a definite guide to one of the most iconic blues musicians of all time - Muddy Waters. If this name does not ring a bell, then this album is definitely for you.

Released in 2001 by Chess, it contains fifty essential songs Muddy recorded for this premier Chicago blues label. It showcases his biggest releases from 1947 till 1972. So, you pretty much get a cross-section view of Waters' recordings - from the raw, naked, Robert Johnson-influenced solo country-blues style of the 40s to the heavily amplified, energetic, urban Chicago blues that later defined Muddys sound and got him the recognition he deserved.

Anyways, the man's a freakin' legend! He was an inspiration for generations of musicians and I'm sure that if it wasn't for him, bands like The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds or Led Zeppelin would not be what we know them today. Actually, Mick Jagger's group took their name from Waters' 1950 hit song: 'Rollin' Stone' - how's that for tribute?

If you were to list other Muddys songs that were as inspirational as 'Rollin' Stone', the list would be longer than the notorious Maxwell Street in Chicago. Nevertheless, let me name quite a few:  'I Feel Like Going Home', 'Train Fare Home Blues', 'Rollin and Tumblin', 'Got My Mojo Working', 'Long Distance Call', 'I Just Want To Make Love To You', 'Mannish  Boy', etc., etc. If you never heard of Muddy Waters, the two last songs are probably the ones you'd recognize nevertheless. The latter being used in many soundtracks, including Pulp Fiction.

By giving us an overview of Muddys works throughout the years, the compilation also exposes us to the various people Waters was working with. The album showcases such great musicians as: Jimmy Rogers (guitar), Little Walter (harmonica), Sam Lay (drums, who was also the drummer for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band), Willie Dixon (bass, but also a very prolific song writer - he once famously stated that it's no wonder that it's the bassists, who write the most songs  - they just have a lot of time on their hands to think while they're playing), Otis Spann & Sunnyland Slim (both pianists).

Anyways, if you feel like finding out more about Muddy and Chess Records, I'd recommend the 2008 'Cadillac Records' film, starring Adrien Brody (as the Polish immigrant, Leonard Chess, who started the iconic label), Mos Def (as Chuck Berry) and Beyonce Knowles (as Etta James [yep, that's right]).



So, pour yourself a nice glass of bourbon, sit back, relax and enjoy the fantastic sounds of Muddy Waters, the hoochie coochie man!

(love the moment when halfway through the track, Little Walter, after hearing Muddy constantly hollering that he's 'goin' down to New Orleans', shouts out: 'Awww, take me wit'ya man, when you go!', not sure if that was rehearsed or not. Awesome, nonetheless!)

and the unmistakable Family Guy:

 


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