Super Sharp Sampling

Piece of art

Benjamin Pettit aka DJ Zin made his Jungle/Drum & Bass debute in 1995 with the track  “Super Sharp Shooter”. It was also his biggest hit, actually his two biggest hits. Because there are two versions. The first version was already a fusion of Hip Hop styles and early Drum & Bass.

The samples dissected

Both the original version and the remix contain a lot of samples.

Drumbreaks

Of course this track contains The Winstons – “Amen, Brother” drumbreak.

In good company of the drumbreak from James Brown’s “Cold Sweat”

and the break from Tommy Roe – “Sweet Pea”.

Melodic and vocal samples

Fred Wesley – Blow Your Head

The intro of this track is a significant sample from an outstanding recording by Fred Wesley.

Fred Wesley – Blow Your Head sample and use in ‘Super Sharp Shooter’

LL Cool J – Eat ‘M Up L Chill

The Bass line of this funky track is what defines the slower part.

LL Cool J – Eat ‘M Up L Chill sample and use in ‘Super Sharp Shooter’

Definition Of Sound – Reverse The Hearse

British rapact Definition Of Sound released the track Reverse The Hearse from which two defining text samples has been taken. ‘Super Sharp Shooter Shooting Shots’ and ‘If You Step Up To Me Then you Better Expect A Slap Back’.

Definition Of Sound – Reverse The Hearse / short Doc OK edit

Definition Of Sound – Reverse The Hearse samples and use in ‘Super Sharp Shooter’

Method Man – Release Yo’ Delf

Vocals by Method Man is an idea used by many. The record shown above has the Acapella version.

Method Man – Release Yo’ Delf / short Doc OK edit

Method Man – Release Yo’ Delf samples and use in ‘Super Sharp Shooter’

The remix

The remix appears on an EP released by the ‘Ganja Cru’, on which DJ Zinc is mentioned as artist. The remix carries the same name as the original version but the track is more unambiguously in this version.

samples in the remix

LL Cool J – It Gets No Rougher

This song contains an intro on which LL lists all letters of the alphabet. Those letters were sampled and put in the right order so the form the words ‘Super Sharp Shooter’. A unique idea and onforgettable part of this song.

LL Cool J – It Gets No Rougher samples and use in ‘Super Sharp Shooter’ (and some extra stuff included)

Tempo changes

The beauty of the song for me is that is more a poptune than a real DJ-track. The remix is the defenitive version. Both versions contain a full intro, half tempo to full tempo changes and vocals. Also the bass line that at a certain point is played backwards is worth mentioning, almost comical but for sure functional in this song.

A pop song, a novelty (as it was genre-defining) and also an ageless tune. Genuine.