Liner Notes

introduction
 

Pain, mystery, love, desire and celebration played on more than a hundred instruments, from rainsticks to "talking drums" to Nigerian batas. This is life, expressed in sound and rhythm.

Supreme Beats was conceived, recorded and designed as a working tool for people who make music. The grooves contained in this library are more than just rhythm tracks. They are individual compositions written by master percussionist, Bashiri Johnson, and recorded by him with some of the most sought after players in the industry. Yet by purchasing the library, this music is all yours. No further licensing fees are required.

Supreme Beats was developed particularly for those artists who use sampling as a creative tool. We regard sampling simply as another route to original expression, just like any other instrument. The library will give you as much space as possible to make your own musical decisions. Each groove is presented in one to three different tempos followed by the instrument components of the groove and then finally by the individual instrument hits at the end of the disc. Consider this collection an invitation to apply Bashiri's grooves to your own music. Use these sounds. Be original and true to yourself. Make wonderful music. This all we ask.

Ted Bickford & David Gale, Grand St. Records

Supreme Beats CD-ROMs

After many months of tweaking and fine tuning, we are very pleased to offer the Supreme Beats library on CD-ROM. The CD-ROM versions contain all of the material from the original four disc boxed set, plus more extensive percussion hits, and the brand new grooves and hits from the latest Audio CD in the collection, volume five "International". Enjoy!

Eric Persing, Spectrasonics

The Artists

Kimati Dinizulu
When I think of Kimati, I think of the source. Nana Kimati Dinizulu came aboard this project with his wealth of expertise, knowledge and experience in traditional and folkloric rhythms and culture. I have the highest respect and admiration for Kimati's heart and spirit. Together we have grown as rhythm compatriots. Thanks Black

Luis Conte
I had wanted to work with Luis for quite some time. His mastery of Cuban and Latin rhythms, and his warmth was what I thought would be a wonderful compliment to this collection of rhythms. I only wish we had more opportunities to duet together. Aah-ite.

Daoud Woods
Da only brother I know who can break a bongo head with his hands. Thanks para su rhythmicos Afro-Cubanos, and for the dope harp playing.

Misha Masud
I can't express how much Misha's contribution has meant to this project. Her beautiful spirit, generosity, and gentleness transcends tape and touches your heart. We men-folk needed her touch and the library needed her tabla. Peace.

Charles "Beats" Lewis
My brother! You be da master beat maker wit' yo' rhythm mouth. I had to get wit you, and we had to throw - together. The results are here for us all to smile at. Press on.

Hinton Battle
Some amazing footwork. Hinton was always fun and always an education. Thanks for your time and talent.

Ben Brown
Aaaaaaaaaa! Ben's "Boing," is Jelani-Jah's favorite, and one of mine as well. Ben's patience is everlasting, and his juice-harp grooves are truly Supreme.

Cyro Baptista
I have been a fan of Cyro's since I saw him with Nana. To this project he has brought Brazilian authenticity and a great deal of talent. He said our sessions made him feel better and I'm sure his music will make you feel better too. Thanks for bringing Jackson by.

Miguel Fuentes
Miguel is one of the baddest Brothers I know on the bata. Even though he's half-way-round the planet I think of him often. I am sure his talents will be appreciated here in the US, as they are in New Zealand.

Akim Ndlouu
"Hey Mama Mama Mama..." Akim and I did some serious South African stamping and chanting. Through Akim and the Zulu in him I feel truly connected and in touch. Thanks for dropping science on me, and all of us.

This Library is dedicated to my Family, Monifa & Jelani-Jah, Mommy & Daddy, all my kin, and to my Percussing brethren & sisteren worldwide. Thank you for all your love, support and inspiration.

Peace Out! -Bashiri Johnson

How This Library is Organized

The Supreme Beats CD-ROM libraries comprise several thousand groove and instrument samples. All told, it adds up to more than five hours of music. Because of the sheer quantity of material, it has been organized into two CD-ROMs: CD-ROM 1: African/Contemporary & CD-ROM 2: World/Dance. Like any attempt to categorize music, this organization is somewhat arbitrary. Please use these designations as beginnings, not as limits.

Each CD-ROM is organized by Style category from the original CDs, with the new material from the Vol.5 International Audio CD at the end of each category. The Roland CD-ROM version also presents loops by instrument type. The percussion hits are presented next, organized by instrument category and/or style. Finally, demo song samples that show off applications of Supreme Beats and other Spectrasonics libraries have been included at the end of the CD-ROM, where space permitted.

Hints on using loops:

1. Always retrigger the loops at regular intervals to maintain sync. The longer the phrase, the more it will drift and become difficult to sync with other parts.
2. Separate the loops you want to combine on different MIDI channels or tracks in your sequencer. This lets you slide & shift each groove around to achieve "perfect lock". It also simplifies muting, soloing and remixing.
3. Turn off the "loop" parameter in your sampler to avoid flams.
4. Try triggering some of the loops on "up" & "off" beats. This vastly expands the potential rhythmic combinations.
5. Use the samplers' Coarse & Fine Tuning parameters to change the original loop's tempo. Set your sequencer to repeat a quarter note pattern while you do the tuning, until it "feels right". This method does alter the pitch of the sample, but is generally much faster and more straightforward to use than Time-Stretching functions.
6. Remember that each loop can work at double and half the listed tempo without any modification.
7. Combining the "sub-loops" from various unrelated volumes can yield the most flexible and original results, especially since most of the grooves are presented at the same tempos.
8. Some Samplers, such as the Roland 700 series, allow you to search this CD-ROM by BPM I.D. Check your instrument's owners manual for details.

Founded in 1994, Spectrasonics is a leading innovator of world-class, award-winning virtual instrument software plug-ins, used by the top recording artists, producers, remixers and film composers on the planet.