Episode 014: Fourteen Miles Below (Diggin' Up the Daisies Vol. 02)

Episode 014: Fourteen Miles Below (Diggin' Up the Daisies Vol. 02)Harry Nilsson - Rainmaker (US 1969)Classic and oft covered feel good tune from this prolific singer songwriter from his Harry release.  Making his way in Los Angeles after leaving his native Brooklyn, Nilsson cut many a fine album and had quite a psychedelic start.  His greatest successes came in the early to mid 70's despite the lack of a heavy touring schedule.Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Last Hope's Gone (US 1968) Chicago based singer and harmonica player that found success both with his blues band and later as a solo artist.  This moody cut from their In My Own Dream album with it's wide open opening bass notes became prime fodder for the 90's era of hip-hop artists looking to dig for deeper sounds.Lou Rawls - You've Made Me So Very Happy (US 1970)One of David Axelrod's lesser hyped productions, it's minimal piano intro still made perfect sample for one of rap's most beautiful songs.  Originally by Motown act Brenda Holloway, it eventually became a massive hit for Blood, Sweat and Tears whose version informs this one, David Axelrod - The Signs (Part 2) (US 1969)Speaking of Axelrod, a little back to back Axe never hurt no one.  After two instrumental LP's, Axelrod's third album was a vocal affair and a concept built on the importance of environmental awareness.   Theme wise the album is ahead of it's time and stands unique in his catalog as his lone vocal based solo releaseSpirit - Ice (US 1969) A haunting and incredible instrumental from these Los Angeles legends featuring the epic guitar work of Randy California.  All of their albums are well worth seeking out. Lalo Schifrin - The Danube Incident The master of the moody soundtrack provides this classic track was that was sampled into a staple of the burgeoning "trip-hop" movement of the mid 90's.  Following the massive success of his Mission:Impossible score, this gem comes from the follow up More Mission: Impossible LP.The Cyrkle - The Vistation (US 1966) Possibly the strangest song to ever be sampled, as there is no obvious drum or bass groove to be heard,  But as the late 90's saw more and more experimentation in sampling, the vocal parts of songs - once maligned as getting in the way - became samples themselves,  The buttery harmonies laid down by these Pennsylvania based harmony pop wonders proved just the thing needed to spark an idea.Giorgio - Tears (Italy 1972) A pre-fame Giorgio Moroder when he was poised to be a solo star versus the studio virtuoso he would later become.  From his album Son of My Father, this instrumental became one of the most infamous samples from the up and coming instrumental hip-hop scene in the mid 90's.Ronald Stein - Go Home Pigs (US 1970) Another soundtrack gem from the golden era where almost any  from the time may offer a hidden gem to re-purpose.  This anti-police exploito track became a bigger hit once sampled in the late 90;s.The Sons - You Can Fly  (US 1969) Dropping the Champlin from their name for their 1969 album, these Marin County funk rock freaks drop a breakbeat classic that is sure to get the dancefloor movin'.  The Sons had a successful run of albums and are recommended for those who dig that funky Bay Area sound,