Riffs on Riffs

Enjoy this “ubiquitous” compilation of outtakes featuring hosts, Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell, which occurred during the making of Episode 28 “Bring the Noise” of Riffs on Riffs.  

You don’t see much genre-mashing these days (sad face) so when metal group  Anthrax hooked up with hip hop pioneers, Public Enemy in 1991… history was truly made. Producing a fresh, thrashed-up take on Public Enemy’s 1988 single “Bring The Noise”, the collaboration spawned a hit single, a groundbreaking tour and a sound that would change heavy music. Joe & Toby get into the cross-pollination of rap-rock and the slew of sampling behind this revolutionary track. 

Get into the smooth vibes of Charlie Puth singing “See You Again” (2015) and a very, very, very subtle Ray Charles sample used in this heart-melting song. What we geek out over in this episode: The legendary Ray Charles & American guitarist Lowell Fulson, BB King “Three O’Clock Blues” (1951), who sampled Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman” (1954)?, “Georgia On My Mind” (1930) Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell, Percy Mayfield’s “Hit the Road Jack” (1960), Charlie Puth and his perfect pitch

This super hot episode takes the heat to another level with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and their mega hit “Summertime” (1991) with musical ties to a soul gang from the 70’s. What we geek out over in this episode: Kool & the Gang, Miles Davis, tubas!, “Despacito” (2017), Toby’s Slow Jamz Mixtape, Ruffles Potato Chips, the early years of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Mike Tyson, and story-telling raps on the mic. 

This epic episode is comprised of two music icons… Boston and Elton John! Joe & Toby explore the sounds of “More Than A Feeling” and the original sample taken from Elton’s 1973 hit song.  What we geek out over in this episode: Everything Elton John (a.k.a. Reg), bandmates Elton Dean and Long John Baldry (1966 Bluesology), Dr. Robotnik, lyricist Bernie Taupin, Tom Scholz & iconic band Boston, Polaroids & Hey Ya!, Mixolydian mode, and Samantha vs. Amanda. 

Joe and Toby connect the musical dots from Tyler, the Creator’s hit track “Igor’s Theme” (2019) and trace it back to a Paris-based 70’s soul group. What we geek out over in this episode: Head West, Fleetwood Mac “Black Magic Woman” (1968) & “Oh Well” (1969), sounds of the 70’s from “Sentimental Lady” (1972) and it’s mondegreen, skateboards, Odd Future, Fruity Loops & Captain Crunch, horrorcore hip-hop music genre, and Tyler the Creator’s hits, controversy and beyond. 

Joe and Toby connect the musical dots from Too $hort’s hit track “The Ghetto” (1990) and trace it back to an unforgettable 70’s soul singer. What we geek out over in this episode: NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) Controller, Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack, “I Thank You Baby” (1969) with June Conquest, George Benson’s cover of “The Ghetto” (2000), Leon Russell’s “A Song For You” (1970) and covers - grab a box of tissues! - “This Christmas” (1970) … and Richard Marx.

Good night and sweet Lucid Dreams… Joe & Toby dive into a fan favorite by Juice WRLD and the 1993 sample he used to make this hit! What we geek out over in this episode: Sting’s Catalog, MC Nicknames, Sting sitting on a piano by accident during the recording of Roxanne, Queensryche, MC Milk Dee and Audio Two’s Top Billin’ (1988), and The Chainsmokers & Juice WRLD In My Head (2018).

A rappers plight… is country music friend or foe? Joe & Toby answer this and more in a discussion about country rapper Lil Nas X with hints of NIN. What we geek out over in this episode: Susie Stop Playin’, Trent Reznor, Iggy Pop’s Nightclubbing (1977), Johnny Cash’s cover of Hurt (2002), Country-Rap a.k.a. Hick-Hop, Ryan Upchurch track called Country Cut Celebrity (2018), Old Town Remix with Billy Ray Cyrus, and Bubba Sparxxx Country Folks (2013).

Joe & Toby take you to another dimension with the futuristic sounds of an iconic German Electro-pop band. To Kraftwerk and beyond! What we geek out over in this episode: Hot Tub Time Machine (the movie), Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Forces’s Planet Rock (1982), Coldplay’s Talk (2005), Timbaland’s Bounce (2007) featuring Dr. Dre, Justin Timberlake & Missy Elliot, Blue Monday (1983) by New Order, Leave Home (1995) by The Chemical Brothers and Redman and Method Man collab How High (remix) (1995).

Joe & Toby connect the many musical dots between the iconic hip-hop trio 3rd Bass and their biggest hit “Pop Goes The Weasel” (1991). What we geek out over in this episode: The life and music of English singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, Genesis, Henry Rollins, The Who’s “Eminence Front” (1982), Stevie Wonder’s “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” (1974), “Back to the Grill” (1992), and Non-Phixion’s “Black Helicopters” (2004).

Okurrr! We’ve got Carbi B and her hit single “Be Careful” and all it’s samples and interpolations ranging from Wu-Tang Clan to Barbra Streisand. What we geek out over in this episode: The Fugees epic catalog of music, Lauryn Hill flubbing at the Apollo, Don McLean’s “American Pie” (1971), 70’s American Singer-Songwriter Lori Lieberman, a few Bob Marley hits, and (oddly enough) The Banana Splits TV show from the late 60’s.

It’s the song that plays in every sporting arena ever known to man and Joe & Toby JUMP back into time to find it’s musical roots. What we geek out over in this episode: Junior Walker and The All Stars, The Cosby Show theme song, Moonglows vs. Moondog, Record Producer and Singer Harvey Fuqua, “Harlem Shuffle” (1963) by Bob & Earl, 1950’s American Singer Thurston Harris, ToeJam & Earl video game, Chubby Checker’s “Popeye the Hitchhiker” (1962), and DJ Muggs.

Joe and Toby put the puzzle pieces of samples together for Mark Ronson’s  Grammy winning hit, “Uptown Funk,” and explore its many funk-inspired beats. What we geek out over in this episode: The Gap Band Albums II, III, IV, V, VI, etc!, the incomparable Charlie Wilson, Trinidad James “All Gold Everything” (2012), Collage “Young Girls” (1983), The Sequence “Funk You Up” (1979), and Grammy & Oscar winning Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper “Shallow” (2018).

Joe and Toby connect the music dots between Ariana Grande’s 2013 hit “The Way” and a fellow ballad singer from 1979. What we geek out over in this episode: The impressive power ballads of Brenda Russell, Nickelodeon’s Victorious, “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes (1992), Troglodytes (Cavemen), Rush 2112: Overture, Big Pun “Still Not a Player” featuring Joe (1998), and Ariana Grande dating debacles via TMZ style gossip.