David Matthews is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer and arranger.
It's important to note that the David Matthews I am referring to is not to be confused with singer-songwriter Dave Matthews of Dave Matthews Band or English orchestral composer, David Matthews, or swing-jazz saxophonist, David Matthews.
In 1970, Matthews was both the arranger and bandleader for James Brown. In addition, Matthews has lead orchestras, jazz quintets, musical groups and completed noteworthy collaborative projects with Nina Simone, Grover Washington Jr., George Benson, Idris Muhammad, Yusef Lateef, and Ron Carter to name a few. Also, let's not forget his contributions to television soundtracks.
Based on the Frank Herbert's 1965 award-winning novel, "Dune" (part one of the Dune trilogy), track 2 on the A-side of Matthew's 1977 fourth studio album, "Dune", is titled "Part II: Sandworms". Written by Matthews, this jazz-funk fusion features Gary King (bass), Eric Gale (Guitar), and Grover Washington Junior (Tenor Saxophone).
To put things in perspective of the sonic aura of Matthew's musical adaptation of the sci-fi novel, "Dune", the novel tells the story of a feudalistic interstellar society set in the distant future. One of the noble families is delegated stewardship of a desert planet. However, only this planet produces the most valuable commodity among all planets and therefore, highly sought after -- indeed, a dangerous undertaking. The society struggles as they confront each other to take over the planet and obtain its resources.
"Sandworms are huge -- 200 feet high and 1000 feet long -- creatures which are tamed and ridden by desert people called fremen."
Alright, enough information! Here's the song of the day.
David Matthews - Dune Part II: Sandworms
Alright, more information! Hip-hip producers have sampled this song. The following producers I will be listening have influenced my production style in some way over the years.
Large Professor - The Mad Scientist (1996)
Legendary hip-hop producer and emcee, Large Professor (formerly of Main Source), samples the bassline for the single of his 1996 solo debut album, The LP. Just in case you forgot, Large Pro is responsible for contributing to Nas' "Illmatic", specifically producing "Halftime", "One Time 4 Your Mind", and "It Ain't Hard to Tell".
Method Man & Redman - Maaad Crew (1999)
Another legendary hip-hop producer and emcee, Erick Sermon the Green-Eyed Bandit of EPMD, samples the bassline for "Maaad Crew" by Method Man & Redman for their 1999 debut studio album, "Blackout!".
Pete Rock feat. Masta Killa and Raekwon - The PJ's (2008)
ANOTHER legendary hip-hop producer and emcee, Soul Brother #1 Pete Rock (formerly of Pete Rock & CL Smooth), samples the bassline for "The PJ's" off his 2008 studio album "NY's Finest", which features Raekwon and Masta Killa of the mighty Wu-Tang Clan.
Previous Song of the Day
- Herb Alpert - Rise (1979)
- Lamont Dozier - The Picture Will Never Change (1974) / Shine (1974) / Prelude & Rose (1974)
- Charles Manson - Unplugged 9.11.67 Volume 1 (1967)
- Hodges, James, & Smith - Sexy Ways (1975) / Signal Your Intention (1973)
- DeBarge - "I Like It" (1982)
- The Roots feat. Bilal - It Ain't Fair (2017)
- Lonnie Liston Smith - Summer Nights (1975) / A Garden of Peace (1983)
- The Avalanches ft. Sonny Cheeba of Camp Lo - Because I'm Me (2016)