Rakim's Loop
May 24, 2020, 05:08 PM
Piece based on Rakim's microphone by Borys Kossakowski.
"A piece inspired by the Item Number 61 - Cordless microphone used by Rakim to record The 18th Letter.
I dare to say that we are friends with Rakim now. For the last couple of weeks, we spent a lot of time together. Although we never met or talk.
Rakim was walking around the room, talking about his life. I was listening, noting, recording his words. We listened to the music. I showed him some old sketches of mine - ideas, improvisations, live sessions. Finally, he said: this one. What’s that? ‘Lately’ by Love Loopers - a live-at-home session recorded by my wife and me - said I.
"Suddenly everything started to match and fit - just like in a puzzle game.
"That’s a Rakim’s Loop. Meet Rakim.
"Rakim - William Michael Griffin Jr. (born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name Rakim. American rapper, one half of golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs of all time.
"Samples used:
Rakim - Skits from album “The 18th Letter”
Rakim - excerpts from “An Evening With Rakim Allah Interviewed by Chuck D”
Tomasz Stańko Quintet - Dark Eyes
John Coltrane Quartet - Acknowledgement
Miles Davis - Generique
Tomasz Stańko live solo feat. Wisława Szymborska - Tutaj/Here
Love Loopers (feat. Anna Szuchiewicz and Borys Kossakowski) - Lately (live at home session)"
Part of the Smithsonian Treasures project, a collection of new sound works inspired by items from the Smithsonian Museums’ collections - for more information, see http://www.citiesandmemory.com/smithsonian
"A piece inspired by the Item Number 61 - Cordless microphone used by Rakim to record The 18th Letter.
I dare to say that we are friends with Rakim now. For the last couple of weeks, we spent a lot of time together. Although we never met or talk.
Rakim was walking around the room, talking about his life. I was listening, noting, recording his words. We listened to the music. I showed him some old sketches of mine - ideas, improvisations, live sessions. Finally, he said: this one. What’s that? ‘Lately’ by Love Loopers - a live-at-home session recorded by my wife and me - said I.
"Suddenly everything started to match and fit - just like in a puzzle game.
"That’s a Rakim’s Loop. Meet Rakim.
"Rakim - William Michael Griffin Jr. (born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name Rakim. American rapper, one half of golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs of all time.
"Samples used:
Rakim - Skits from album “The 18th Letter”
Rakim - excerpts from “An Evening With Rakim Allah Interviewed by Chuck D”
Tomasz Stańko Quintet - Dark Eyes
John Coltrane Quartet - Acknowledgement
Miles Davis - Generique
Tomasz Stańko live solo feat. Wisława Szymborska - Tutaj/Here
Love Loopers (feat. Anna Szuchiewicz and Borys Kossakowski) - Lately (live at home session)"
Part of the Smithsonian Treasures project, a collection of new sound works inspired by items from the Smithsonian Museums’ collections - for more information, see http://www.citiesandmemory.com/smithsonian