Beastie Boys’ Anthology: Sounds of Science, Michael Diamond (Mike D) says:
“We had all been influenced by Lee Perry’s productions. We were into how on reggae recordings there would often be a ‘dub version’ on the b-side of a single, a practice that got co-opted by a few punk and early hip-hop singles as well.”
Who knew?
When their debut “License To Ill” was released in 1986, almost 40 years ago - it was fresh and had a great sense of humour, playfullness that on the surface could be disregarded as white-boy rap, but if you took a close listen you’ll notice the attention to detail in the music - the use of sampling, 808 Drum Machine, experimentation, mixing and overall production - this was groundbreaking.
The lads and Rick Ruben had crafted something unique that had not been done before. In 1985, it was Run-DMC, Schoolly D, and LL Cool J, but by 1986, hip-hop had begun to transform, and part of that was due to this release. They’d pulled together all the elements of their musical inspirations, Run-DMC, WWF Wrestling (Rick Ruben is a known superfan of the sport), The Clash, Dub, Punk, along with a frat-boy, teenage FU attitude. They’d taken hip-hop to a level while still paying homage to those they’d learned from, borrowed from, sampled from and absorbed. Within the following year, you’d have more groundbreaking releases from Boogie Down Productions, Marley Marl & The Mighty Public Enemy.
On their 1998 album Hello Nasty, Lee Perry is on “Dr Lee, PhD. Perry’s fingerprints are evident: spring reverb, echo throws, and that cosmic feel only he could bring. They also collaborated with Mad Professor (the recording in question is the unreleased dub instrumental album that Mad Professor and the Beastie Boys made, presumably at some point between the releases of Ill Communication and Hello Nasty) from Beastiemania.com.
Dub has woven its magic thread throughout so many styles of music, not to mention launching entirely new genres via direct inspiration and use of dub techniques and sampling, that we shouldn’t be surprised to see that same link with the Beastie Boys.
PLAYLIST
Beastie Boys – So What’Cha Want
Beastie Boys – Sure Shot
Beastie Boys – Paul Revere
Beastie Boys – The New Style
Beastie Boys – Egg Man
Beastie Boys – Just A Test - Remastered 2009
Beastie Boys – Intergalactic - Remastered 2009
Beastie Boys – Unite - Remastered 2009
Beastie Boys – Jimmy James - Remastered 2009
Beastie Boys; Q-Tip; Mario Caldato Jr. – Get It Together - A.B.A. Remix
Beastie Boys – Ch-Check It Out
Beastie Boys – Shake Your Rump
Beastie Boys – Make Some Noise
Beastie Boys – The Skills To Pay The Bills - Remastered
Beastie Boys – Hold It Now, Hit It
Beastie Boys – Shadrach
Beastie Boys – Alive
Beastie Boys – Futterman’s Rule
Beastie Boys; Lee “Scratch” Perry – “Dr. Lee, PhD” - Remastered 2009
