illywhacker - Smokin' Aces - 2020

Before we begin!!!

The Smokin' Aces playlist is now available to follow and stream on Spotify, it'll be updated weekly with all the tunes featuring in these blog posts.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4oV9djxq6DviiZQgroTClE?si=xHHI31N7RXSux1_pEfcTnQ

Week 14's TOTW comes from Moroccan producer, Saib, it is the perfect tune for the sunny weather we've been having, even if today is a bit of a grim one here in the UK. The track is titled 'Sao Paulo Sunset' and it's guaranteed to lift your spirits!

This is going to be short, because, quite frankly, I don't understand the lyrics. I only speak English and the only other language I've studied is French... I didn't do very well at that in school either. I remember only a few words and phrases of the French language! I believe the lyrics of the song are sung in the Portuguese language, especially as the vocalist is from Brazil; I have absolutely no idea what the lyrics are about, but the manner in which they're sung at least puts me in a good mood!

The production of this track actually consisted of Saib combining samples taken from multiple sources (other songs). According to WhoSampled.com, and via the information on his Soundcloud page, Saib reworked a sample from one of his favourite bossa nova records and turned it into a chillout record. According to WhoSampled, the drums were also taken from another record. The instrumentation and vocals were taken from the song 'Bom Motivo' by the artists, Taco and Rosalia De Souza. You'll hear that the original version is near enough identical to Saib's version, but with the addition of the drum loop taken from the track 'One Man Band (Plays All Alone)' by Monk Higgins and The Specialties. I'll put YouTube links to both songs below for you to check out!

There are very few, if any original production elements thrown into this version by Saib, it seems like production tasks focused purely on editing, arranging and mixing the two samples into a new version. That's not to take any credit away from Saib, there's an art to sampling and knowing what will and what won't sound good together. Either way, I enjoy Saib's chilled reworking of the two samples; it's a track I'm quite happy to throw on whilst chilling out in the sun!

Check out the rest of Saib.'s music if you enjoy this production!!

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PZS539O5lk

Saib - Sao Paulo Sunset