After years of trap dominating the hip-hop landscape, the more traditional old-school sound is starting to make a come back. In particular, the golden era of ’90s “boom bap” style hip-hop. However, with its heavy reliance on dusty old grooves, generally sourced from old recordings it presents a licensing nightmare, fraught with danger.

This is where forward-thinking producers like our featured artist, Si Spex, step in. Rather than sampling old records Si chooses to recreate the classic sounds of the past. The result? Tracks that are soaked in hip-hop flavour yet could easily be coveted as rare vinyl finds. An original sound that seamlessly bridges modern hip-hop beats with the spirit of authentic vinyl samples.

About the artist

Si Spex boasts a storied history in hip-hop, having been one half of ’90s UK production duo The Creators. Over the years, he’s produced and remixed for heavyweights like Nas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Dilated Peoples, cementing his credentials in the scene. Lately, he’s been sharing his production expertise on YouTube under his alter ego, Barry Beats. Hailing from Cornwall (UK), Barry defies the typical hip-hop image, sporting a casual, golf-course-ready style. His beats on the other hand speak for themselves proving the old adage: you should never judge a book by its cover.

Selected cuts from Si’s latest LP, Two Sides of Barry, are now available exclusively for production use on RouteNote Licensing. This tight selection of tracks may sound like rare vinyl nuggets but they are all entirely original compositions. This gives creators a unique opportunity to work with music that captures the warmth and authenticity of classic vinyl, but minus the legal hurdles.

About the track

Image of flautist Biscuit courtesy of jazzwise

As the title suggests, this track is all about the flute, played masterfully by leading UK flautist Biscuit (Speakers Corner Quintet / Kae Tempest). Set to a slow-burning tempo anchored by hard drums and prominent percussion, the piece features a striking melodic motif carried by Biscuit’s expressive playing. It has all the hallmarks of an early ’70s library record straight from the vaults of Music De Wolfe or KPM.

Despite the dominant flute, the arrangement remains fairly minimal, with just bass guitar and a gritty wah-wah clavinet accompanying the melody. The mood is subtly suspenseful and ominous, conjuring the tension of a classic ’70s thriller. You can almost picture two cops staking out an abandoned warehouse as the flute motif builds intrigue and drama.

Perfect for adding vintage, gritty flair to your next project, the tracks arrangement includes open drum breaks, percussive builds, and even a key change toward the end to elevate on-screen tension. For anyone who loves the flute and wants a hip-hop-inspired slice of raw funk, this track deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Perfect for:

  • Suspense scenes and drama
  • Adding a touch of 70’s retro chic
  • Title sequences
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Hip-Hop and funk inspired info bites

Listen here: https://licensing.routenote.com/track/jungle-flute

Download this track and thousands more with unlimited access to our music library for just $4.99. Sign up to RouteNote Licensing today and create without limits.