Forgotten Treasure: Dorothy Ashby “Come Live With Me” (1968)

Sample digging is a science into itself, something that other websites like The Breaks and Who Sampled, so we try to not do too many sample oriented posts.

But still, when you’re just listening to music while cleaning the house on a sunday afternoon and a 3 second melody strikes you and you’re actually able to remember where you know that 3 second from. Well, Dorothy Ashby‘s work is a sample goldmine that many have dipped into. Most recently, an amazing little nugget called “Ashbybeat” by Floating Points (as played on the MIMS Show #49)

So getting back to where I heard this sample being used. It was by none other than 9th Wonder (formerly of Little Brother), the one guy to carry the torch from the Pete Rock’s and Primo’s in the early 2000’s. I always loved this version of Amerie’s track, so much better than to original, except from the so-so verse from Joe Scudda.

Dorothy Ashby “Come Live With Me”

Amerie – Why Don’t We Fall in Love (9th Wonder Remix)

“Along with Alice Coltrane, Ashby extended the popularization of jazz harp past a novelty, showing how the instrument can be utilized seamlessly as much a bebop instrument as the saxophone. Her albums were of the jazz genre, but often moved into R&B, world and other musics, especially on her 1970 album The Rubaiyat of Dorothy Ashby, where she demonstrates her talents on another instrument, the Japanese koto, successfully integrating it into jazz.”

Lexis

Montreal-based DJ and the founder MusicIsMySanctuary.com (2007) and 24 Hours of Vinyl (2011).