Along with his partner Double Dee, Steinski co-produced the series of records known as The Lessons in the 1980s that turnablists, DJs, music producers and just listeners of Hip-Hop and mashups have looked up to since: “The Payoff Mix,” “Lesson 2 (The James Brown Mix),” “Lesson 3 (The History Of Hiphop)” for the Tommy Boy label.
These analog tape cut-and-paste collages of hundreds of samples are still in circulation via lots of bootleg versions (especially due to the fact that in this "Sample Clearence or Die" Music Era, there is next to no way it could be released legally without shelling out extreme amounts of cash) and are acknowledged as being three of the most influential works in the world of Hip-Hop and Dance Music production, whether through inspiring similar works or artists trying to find (and some actually use) the samples that were up in there.
In other words, for you folks who are fans of DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, mash-ups, etc. - these music works were the foundation of what's good now.
The first "Lesson" record ended up winning a nationwide remix contest sponsored by Tommy Boy Records that was judged by music greats and influencers such as Afrika Bambaataa, Shep Pettibone, Jellybean Benitez and Arthur Baker, and subsequently became a Top 10 request on Black/Urban Radio nationwide.
Since doing "The Lessons" (and due to various reasons, getting next to no compensation from those productions), Steinski has done lots of solo production and music work for everything from the Ninja Tune label (who's owners, the production crew Coldcut were influenced by him, did the famous Rakim "Paid In Full" remix) to scoring for various TV and radio commercials.
A retrospective release of his work has just dropped on the Illegal Art label (release date: May 27, 2008), called What Does It All Mean?: 1983-2006 Retrospective.
Folks should definitely check this CD out in my opinon - the music on there is ridiculously fresh. With the 14 Old School Hip-Hop Era Productions (all 3 of The Lessons are included) and 28 later era tracks, it should at the very least, be interesting to check out as a history lesson to jam to.
Here's some free music to check out and download from Steinski while you're here on BlackRadioIsBack.com:
The Lesson #1 (The Payoff Mix) mp3 Download (right click and "save as")
The Lesson #2 (James Brown Mix) mp3 Download (right click and "save as")
The Lesson #3 (History of Hiphop) mp3 Download (right click and "save as")
Give the entire What Does It All Mean?: 1983-2006 Retrospective release a preview listen right here.
Steinski Official Website/Blog
Steinski Official MySpace Page
Illegal Art Official Website
Illegal Art Official MySpace Page
Bonus Video #1: Steinski Performs "The Lessons" Live With Cut Chemist & DJ Shadow (Part 1) * Note - YouTube Won't Me Embed It...Sorry *
Bonus Video #2: Steinski Performs "The Lessons" Live With Cut Chemist & DJ Shadow (Part 2) * Note - YouTube Won't Me Embed It...Sorry *
Bonus Video #3: Steinski Talks About The Origins of "The Lessons"
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