Various Artists - Protected: Massive Samples (Album)
The music industry often gives people much to be cynical about. So it is with this in mind that I introduce the latest penny-pinching effort, Protected- Massive Samples. The premise here is that twelve songs are assembled which Bristol’s Massive Attack have sampled (or in fact whose songs “contain elements from” because apparently the artists dislike the insinuation that they have stolen music for use in their own creations.) These are offered for Massive Attack trainspotters, completists and devotees alike, because these groups of fans (particularly the former) will delight in listening to the twelve original songs and trying to figure out what piece was used where in Massive Attack’s discography of work.
The idea of this record is not a new one as the label- Rapster Records- have already released one for Daft Punk enthusiasts. Titled, Daft Punk Discovered, it also contained songs that that group utilised to their best advantage. Plus, for fans of artists signed to other labels there is the Back To Mine series (although these are not songs sampled but ones that inspired the writers) not to mention the regular issues of Mojo and Uncut magazines that offer free albums with these very types of music. Therefore, I can’t help but wonder whether this type of record (or at least the idea for it) is already redundant. And at least in the case of the latter publications, it is a free “gift” and more cost-effective for the person buying the item (as they also get a magazine to boot) and let’s not forget that some fans are simply content to see the group’s influences as a mere list- they aren’t dying to hear every inspirational note.
The compilation itself though, is not an altogether bad one- it boasts plenty of soul, dub and moody tunes. From the opening soul food of Lowrell’s Mellow Mellow and William De Vaughn’s Be Thankful for What You’ve Got you know this is going to be filled with laidback and serene moments. After these two songs I felt I was being seduced by a room full of Barry Whites who is coincidently a glaring omission and instead the late Isaac Hayes has to suffice with the seduction process. In Ike’s Mood the only vocals are provided by deep, throaty women sounding like a gospel choir all achieving one huge simultaneous orgasm. Yikes.
Other big name soul artists feature including Al Green with I’m Glad You’re Mine and the late Godfather of Soul/King of Funk, Messer James Brown with Never Can Say Goodbye. The latter sounds a little like Marvin Gaye lamenting about What’s Goin’ On as he delivers a musical track complete with spoken word lyrics.
The remainder of the set is about shake and groove as more sultry sounds continue. Billy Cobham’s Strauss is a ten-minute love-fest of wailing blues guitar while other acts offer some reggae-infused sounds, nifty flutes and gospel singing before the closing act, Rufus & Chaka Khan offer a pure 70s disco treat with Any Love.
In all, Protected- Massive Samples is a curious yet redundant record enabling fans to partake in listening to a Massive Attack mix tape. The soul food material designed to lift the spirit redeems the compilation from being a mere cash cow for all those responsible for it.
