Customer Reviews

Illy B Eats Box Set 1-3

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The "illy B Eats Box Set" is a collection of great break beats. This release is sure to be misunderstood given most listeners don't understand the nature of a break beat. A break is the instrumental part of a song that grooves between the choruses and verses. It becomes a break beat when the initial break is looped to become a new, continuous rhythm. Break beats are typically employed in hip-hop, rap or house/techo music. So the idea is that rather than lifting samples off a James Brown recording, here's a disc chocked with ready to use beats. By this point, breakbeat has even become its own musical genre. Naturally, this release is intended for DJs and producers -not home listeners. Most consumers will be unsatisfied listening to an album of two minute drum rhythms. To hear what Billy Martin's break beats sound like when employed in a release intended for public consumption, get the illy B Eats Remixes. Now that this review is past the disclaimer, the question beckons -how do Martin's break beats sound? In a word, fantastic. Funk is the focus here, with occasional side trips into Afro-Cuban, Rock and Brazilian sounds. They beats sound very typical of Martin's drumming on Medeski, Martin and Wood's funk infused projects. The box set comes complete with all three discs. In addition to featuring Martin's artwork, the actual box is one of the most creative and innovative CD packages -see my customer image. As seen, the lucky consumer can find a copy autographed by illy B. DJs should jump on illy B Eats while most listeners should check out volume one one and two two of the remixes.

As a drummer looking for fresh ideas/grooves/breakbeats, I bought this album to satisfy my thirst, which is a three disc set. It did just that. For all you drummers, I recommend this album as an educational tool. For all you dj's and mc's, I highly recommend this album for live performance. cheers illy B.