This is the sound of my soul

Lloyd and Lil Wayne's "Girls All Around the World" is Maura Johnston's candidate for the Summer Jam of '08. It's mine, too. It goes where no other track has dared to in this time of retro-obsession: back to the past, to "Ashley's Roachclip," specifically. "Girls All Around the World" samples one of the most unmistakable break beats that has looped its way throughout the past 20 or so years of pop music (I know you know that airy, tambourine-infused dollop of whipped low-end, but just in case you don't, here it is, from the original 1974 track by Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers).

To illustrate how pervasive the break in question has been, I've thrown together a mix. It took doing so to show me just how versatile this beat is: from dance-rock to gangsta rap, from smoothing out adult contemporary to practically defining Club MTV-era dance pop, "Ashley's Roachclip" had its clamp on all things pop for a while. In assembling this, I'm something of a harborer of wackness -- I'm not making any apologies for Color Me Badd or Des'ree even, but I do feel a little gross about all the Milli Vanilli. Whatever, I was going for comprehensive (and I was so strict with this that I didn't include stuff like Soul II Soul's Club Mix of "Keep on Movin'" or Seduction's "You're My One and Only (True Love)," which aim to replicate this famous break, but stop short of the actual sampling of it). I'm not sure that this mix will hold up to repeat listens (it's probably more on the curio tip), but if nothing else, it should show you just how deep Lloyd and Wayne went with "Girls." For being unafraid of wackness by association, I salute them.

Ashley's Roach Mix

1. Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers - Ashley's Roachclip
2. Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full (Coldcut 7 Minutes of Madness Mix)
3. EMF - Unbelievable / Ludacris - Stand Up
4. Mark the 45 King - Roach Clip
5. The Geto Boys - Scarface
6. Scarface - Mr. Scarface Part III The Final Chapter
7. Conscious Daughters - Princess of Poetry
8. Duran Duran - Come Undone
9. Color Me Badd - Choose
10. Des'ree - You Gotta Be (Love Will Save the Day Mix)
11. S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. - (It's Gonna Be) A Lovely Day (Movin' the Crowd Club Mix)
12. Milli Vanilli - Baby, Don't Forget My Number
13. Milli Vanilli - All or Nothing
14. Milli Vanilli - Girl, You Know It's True
15. PM Dawn - Set Adrift on Memory Bliss (Remix) / Spandu Ballet - True
16. Lloyd featuring Lil Wayne - Girls All Around the World
17. Moby - First Cool Hive

P.S. You know what's crazy? Lloyd has now interpolated the two major components of PM Dawn's "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" - obviously, "Ashley's Roachclip" on "Girls," but there was also his use of the melody of Spandu Ballet's "True" in his 2006 single, "You." Do you think Lloyd and Prince Be are actually the same person? Think of it: have you ever seen the two in the same place? Hmmmm.

Comments

[KT]

you know, i've always recognized the beat, always liked most songs attached (and yes, sadly, i include Milli Vanilli, even if they haven't aged, um... well), but never knew it's origin. that's why i love this blog. come for the witty reality show takes, stay for the cultural education. kudos.

[Rebecca]

I just wanted to compliment you on your beautiful Tang Wei Header

[Hannah]

Rich, this is perfection. Can you please do a mix of songs that sample ABC by the Jackson 5???

[Kenna]

Ahh, this is probably my #2 favorite mix a la Rich! Paid In Full, I still know every word. That little break beat makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, memories of dancing all night, house parties. This morning while getting ready for work I was listening to my #1, I think you called it "Lovesfuckingcheap"? Thanks X 1000!

[John R.]

Wow! What a smokin set! I'm so used to hearing B-more remixes of everything that I haven't listened to a set to an old break like that in a while and kinda forgot how much energy good mixing can bring to a set like that. Luda/EMF gets _my_ vote for first jam of the summer!

Dork/dj question - do use Serato, or is your apartment overflowing with miscellaneous Milli Vanilli 12"? I'm not a Serato hater - just curious.

I'm going to put this on my iPod and bump it in the ride :)

[Szilvia]

First off.. you're a genious, but we already knew that. And I piddle my pants everytime I see a new post from you because I will not only get entertained but will probably get a good music tip or something worth giving an extra though to.

Second.. I've tried to download your mix twice and it timed out after a few mb's -am I the only one who has this problem?

Third.. I heart winston!

[Elita]

Love this! You left off Truth Hurts' "So Addictive" which I loved, too!

[Johnny]

Raise your hand if Ashley's Roachclip just instantly became your new ringtone...

(raises hand)

[KT]

... aw hell. i have to add that i forgot all about Michelle Visage's rhyme skills all over S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. Rich, you blowing up my domepiece, over here!

[Talix]

"come for the witty reality show takes, stay for the cultural education."

Truer words, my friend. Truer words.

[christy]

This beat defined my middle school years! hilarious, and good call for a chill summer mix.

[HouseofJules]

This makes me want a cassette player so I can listen to all my old college mix tapes. Love it.
Jules
House of Jules

[lipstickface]

this is so great. Thank you. You entertain me more eeeeeeeeeeevery day :)

[I'm just sayin'...]

I might be mistaken, but did the Stereo MC's sample this as well (Connected)? Maybe it just sounds similar...

[Molly]

Paid In Full By Duran Duran

[Max]

Guess there's no possibility of "I'm That Chick" being this year's summer jam? Oh well, it's on all of my summer mixes anyway.

Great mix--I actually headed to iTunes and bought (!) that Color Me Badd song after one listen!

[toto]

This beat defined my middle school years! hilarious, and good call for a chill summer mix.
some young and handsome men @ WEALTHY CHAT.com are interested in it as well. Meanwhile, they want to find a rich woman to support and pamper with. Go @ WEALTHY CHAT.com

[njtx71]

that setlist reminded me that there's a dj mash-up of the beatles 'come together' with duran duran's 'come undone' and eric b & rakim's 'paid in full'. it is AWESOME.

[Matos W.K.]

Dude, where the fuck is "Freedom '90"?

Just kidding. Thanks for this! And yes, the Lloyd is absolutely the best record of the year so far.

[Matos W.K.]

Oh fucking duh--that's "Funky Drummer." I'm an idiot.

[Medo]

Yesssss another mix. Heart!

[elisa]

for some reason, when I heard this song on the radio the other day, I was immediately reminded of 112's "Dance With Me." Now that I've compared both songs, I'm not quite sure why. I think it's the beat, but I'm not sure. Maybe someone can help?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpwj4cMWVMg

[elisa]

Oh, and thanks Rich for another mix! I missed your mixes, I don't think you've done one for a while...

And thanks for the beat info, I never knew what this beat was!

Can you explain the name of your blog, FourFour? Is it something to do with the time signature...sorry if been explained before, but I didn't see it if so.

finally: Are you going to do a review of Ashanti's new album? I think some of it is innovative, eg the last track (The Declaration)...I'd love to hear your take on her album.

[im stupid]

HOW DO I DOWNLOAD THIS

[dj tony from spain]

hi everybody. sorry 4 my english ,,,, u can try method and red man " tear it off " what do you think ?