Face it: there are hundreds of hip-hop construction kits on themarket. What distinguishes eLab's collection as abstract? Is it sodifferent from the teeming multitudes of breakbeats and loops?
Abstract HipHop ($99.95) comes with two discs: astandard audio CD and a CD-ROM of WAV files prepared for SonicFoundry's Acid. The CD-ROM contains discrete left andright mono files and complete stereo tracks. Although the audio CDdoesn't provide you with access to mono files, the CD-ROM'sindividual mono files played in tandem provide a broad, full-stereoimage consisting of two distinct but musically compatible loopsplaying in sync.
Let's Chill
The collection's subtitle is Caspar's Deep Vibey TurntablePhunk. Indeed, there's a distinct and appealing“chill” vibe to the package's loops. The disc's groovessit at a relaxed 90 or 100 bpm, so everything is readilyinterchangeable.
The CD-ROM menu presents six categories, neatly organized intofolders by bpm. The Inspiration Kits are full construction sets,each with roughly half a dozen compatible drum loops and a varietyof instrument grooves provided by electric pianos, vocals, soundeffects, bass, guitar, and horn.
The LoopTools category features drum grooves different fromthose in the Inspiration Kits. In both categories, the producersnailed the beats. You get soulful, analog-infused two- or four-barpatterns at every turn. Many patterns are laden with percussion.They range from sweet grooves in the style of Marvin Gaye's“What's Goin' On” to unusual takes on Brazilian- andbossa nova — influenced rhythms to down-and-dirty streetfunk.
Smooth Grooves
The Music Loops and Bass Loops provide a few smooth and solidbass lines but, overall, lean heavily toward electric piano andguitar licks and lines. Piano and guitar provide enough harmonicvariations to give you room to move. The Sounds, Chords, and Riffscategory complements the Music Loops beautifully with soul sax,flute, and horn sounds and riffs; more guitar and electric pianopieces; synthlike string pads and stabs; and a few instruments incombination.
The Vox and FX selections provide R&B and gospel stylings;spoken clips; squelchy, lo-fi — radio vocal effects; andbreathy female-vocal trinkets. Synthetic crickets, reversedcymbals, and synth noises fill out the FX section. Xclusive Drumscontains 173 quality vintage — drum-kit, beatbox, andpercussion one-shots that include kicks, congas, snares, hi-hats,toms, rims, claps, and shakers.
Many sounds are drenched in delay and reverb, creating anambient atmosphere. At times the delay is a bit overdone. Thatisn't necessarily a criticism, but such effects are sometimesbetter used in moderation and left to the end-user'sdiscretion.
I occasionally heard the remnants of the drum loops with someother sounds, probably because much of the material was extractedfrom reel-to-reel tape. It wasn't a distraction, and besides, thesamples benefit from the use of magnetic tape. There is a pleasing,warm analog sound overall.
The Abstract Truth
The CD-ROM covers the bases, so why include an audio CD? Theaudio CD serves as a backup disc and lets you audition files duringa session while the CD-ROM is in use. Computer-phobic artists canuse the audio CD with their vintage gear, and performing DJs mightalso find it useful.
You won't be thrilled with the audio CD's documentation,however. It lacks indexing and file times for each sound in atrack. The cardboard packaging is hip, but one of the plastic discholders inside came unglued after a few uses, making itunacceptable for hauling to performances.
The title's abstract is a tad misleading. Before Ilistened to the CDs, I thought the material might push the envelopewith the use of esoteric plug-ins and sound-shaping applications.Deep vibey turntable phunk is a more accuratedescription.
Despite its title, though, the collection offers a lot of juicymaterial that distinguishes it from the pack. I can recommendAbstract HipHop on the strength of its drum loops alone;most grooves are superb and sit in a delicious pocket. Add a bevyof sound effects, music loops, and individual drum and percussionhits — all presented in formats to fit almost anyone'sworking style — and Abstract HipHop is an excellentpurchase.
Overall EM Rating (1 through 5): 4
eLab/Big Fish Audio (distributor); tel. (800) 717-FISH or (818)768-6115; e-mail info@e-lab.se; Web www.e-lab.se