Customer Reviews

illy B Eats, Vol. 2 [Vinyl]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Volume two of "illy B Eats" 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 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. Like 'Wish Maker,' a few tracks even feature Eddie Bobé on congas. The beats sound very typical of Martin's drumming on Medeski, Martin and Wood's funk inflused projects. As with many of Medeski, Martin and Wood's albums, the artwork is done by Billy Martin himself. Anybody interested enough in volume two should probably just go for the jugular and get the box set which features all three discs. DJs should jump on illy B Eats while most listeners should check out volume one and two of the remixes.

The last reviewer doesn't get it. This CD is meant to be used by DJ's around the world, building on top of the beats in their own ways. This CD is not about showcasing Billy, it's about showcasing the DJ's. Furthermore, what's wrong with these grooves? Some of them are extremely sexy. I am excited to hear the remix CD.

Illy B, what happened? As a drummer who has taken much from the stylings of Billy Martin, I thought I'd find the concept of an album featuring his break beats fascinating. What happened to the seemingly impromptu and free-flowing style I've heard and seen with MMW? This whole album could have been created in an hour using looping samples- it's so monotonous! I've heard techno with more diverse percussion. Sorry, Billy. I still love you, but I'm not buying this album!