Let the Record Show Ep. 14: Bob James "Nautilus" - Director's Commentary (Interview)

In this special "Director's Commentary" edition of Let the Record Show, hosts Mike Pizzo and Warren Peace sit down with legendary jazz producer Bob James to discuss his seminal 1974 track "Nautilus", which has been sampled in countless hip-hop songs (over 400 according to WhoSampled).
Peace and Pizzo talk to Bob about the origins of the track "Nautilus." As a special treat, they also get his reaction to a handful of golden era rap classics from Run DMC, Slick Rick, Eric B & Rakim, Main Source, and Ghostface Killah which sampled the track, as the cuts spin on vinyl.
Listen to the songs discussed in this episode via Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/letther...

[@jarvisrogers6846]

Wow !! This is so amazing listening to Nautilus along with Mr. Bob James himself talking about it.

[@ghostduster1]

I wish this interview was 3 hours long. So dope you guys got Bob James.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Thank you! We're 38 episodes deep, so there is plenty more to watch.

[@deanjohnston1460]

Very interesting. This sort of content is needed more. Credit to him for being open minded towards hip hop culture.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Thanks!

[@DawudAmunRa]

@@LetTheRecordShowTV 000a

[@reeseconor6752]

I guess Im asking randomly but does any of you know of a method to log back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid lost the login password. I love any tips you can offer me.

[@lukasethan8081]

@Reese Conor instablaster :)

[@reeseconor6752]

@Lukas Ethan I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@phyre7769]

From a life long hiphop fan and producer from NYC, I thank you guys for this interview. James Brown and Bob James hands down had the most influence on our early hiphop production. Bob and his musician friends - forever poppin'!

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Thank YOU for checking us out! JB and BJ forever!

[@blisnemesis]

"influence" ...what are you talking about. Influence is being inspired and creating something COMPLETELY different. #cod

[@edwardgentry5629]

Sooo Im like 7 minutes in.. already amazing episode.. Thank You Bob James for making the Music, Thank You HipHop for introducing me to Bob James, sooo pissed I didnt get to see him at the smith center

[@MelquanKatz]

Hands down my favorite record of all time.

[@Nigmatics]

Mine as well...captures every possible emotion for me.

[@Heliobranconamixxx]

Hip hop artists presents to a new audience gifted artists like Bob James...lot´s of people who never know who Bob James is, now collect his classics records like 1, 2, 3 and 4...and another great records....salute Bob James !!!

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

He's the man. Which is your favorite Bob James album?

[@gubiks]

Jeru - "My Mind Spray" Ultramagnetic MCs - "Delta Force One" Pete Rock - "Rap City" theme Murs - "Murray's Revenge"

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

We brought Jeru and A Tribe Called Quest as well, but ran out of time with Bob.

[@marxman300]

Epmd - brothers on my jock Onyx - blac vagina finder Herb mcgruff - keep my palm on the handle remix Bet rap city theme

[@HansumRAJ]

Soul II Soul - “Jazzy’s Groove” (remix)

[@nobiggiejaytiggy584]

Earth gang- Wednesday

[@leoophc5414]

Ghostface killah - Daytona 500

[@camaflauge]

Much respect for getting Uncle Bob on the show. A hidden Master in hip hop history....

[@astrojazzman]

I was on tour with Bob James in 2008 what a super cool guy! Got to hang with him and talk Hip Hop jazz ect....Bob was soo nice to sign all my vinyl! Great times!!!🎹 🎹🎹🎹 Thx Bob!!!

[@fightomo]

LOL Bob James wanted to jump into the Nas and Jay beef. I love this guy.

[@vinto34]

The legend himself..he seemed a bit put out about a few samples used that were used as he said top to bottom not just a small snippet of sample.

[@slickfirmament5934]

Peace and respect to Pizzo, Warren Peace, Mr Bob and Bob James.

[@DJStyles]

I love this interview. This might be one of the dopest interviews ever in Hip Hop.

[@salaamsupreme1653]

This interview is awesome.I'm a deejay,and I finally get to meet the man behind the music🎶Epic💯

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Appreciate that - thanks for peeping!

[@leegordon8078]

LOVE it! If ever a song deserved this treatment, it's this one. Bob James needs all the shine in the world!

[@slyfoxmoney]

Thank you for doing this

[@raspberrypi2965]

Excellent interview!!

[@patrickmclain4110]

Much RESPECT TO BOB.🎹🎹💾🔥🔥🔥🔥💖🌌🌠

[@phfrixion]

Great episode! Love his work and also quite some tracks who sampled his oevre from A tribe called Quest to Adam F.

[@roydrummond592]

Having seen him in concert twice, he never plays any of the samples, apart from Westchester Lady, which he played out to an extended instrumental for around 20 minutes.

[@rogermoore27]

This is a good quality interview. Remarkable

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Appreciate that, thank you. We are 41 episodes deep with more on the way!

[@rogermoore27]

Wow.....almost a throw-away?

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Last song on side B!

[@gabeeskridge8291]

That's how gifted James and his band were. Unbelievable talent on display.

[@Ambersdf]

Great artist, great interview...!

[@Ambersdf]

... But that 'Nautilus Nas record sounded fire...! Shame

[@djveteran100]

All aside... this interview was dope!

[@xray49er]

Ran across this from a recommendation. The algorathim worked. Incredible interview. I could of listened to hours of this. Just going through records.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Thanks, Ray. We're 32 episodes deep with more to come, please check out a few more if you have the time. Thanks!

[@MrKwodsonikpunk]

Bob James has also been sampled by some early Drum N Bass tracks, be interesting to know his thoughts on some of them, most notably Adam F Circles

[@morigatewood6653]

Love bob James love hip hop sampling allowed me to become a detective of sorts keep on Bob and let the record show!🎹

[@resonate3987]

This channel is awesome! I’m in full nerd mode right now!😂😂😂

[@EXHIBITINGSQUARES]

oh my god this channel is amazing.🙌🙂

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Appreciate it thank you!

[@dexterbernard2701]

My brother bought this album when it was first released. Immediately, me playing the bass I always thought this was HOT!

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

An undisputed classic!

[@crossbonez1228]

This needs his own biopic

[@Mr.Taylor56]

I find it really troubling that the conversation about sampling is always contained to recording artists as though the artists/production team are solely responsible for the discovery of the original songs. GIVE PROPS TO THE STREET DJs that first spun these original songs in the parks and parties before it made it's way into recording studios. The recording artists are the ones copying what the original DJs were spinning in the 70s & 80s. Even the first recorded Hip Hop groups were trying to bring the street sound to the studios but, the executives couldn't do it for various reasons. Interview Flash, Kool Herc and a few others to hear what they have to say in regards to what's so special about these recordings and sounds. THAT is the only way Bob James will have his question answered.

[@thailee470]

Greatness with Greatness!

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

One of the jazz GOATs

[@jackieholloway1896]

Cool o G respect enough said

[@brianjames723]

How cool is it, that Bob don’t know why his music is the definition of Mad Coolness?

[@MrShaneGreat]

would have been mighty awkward if you guys had played "Throw Ya Gunz" for him haha!!!

[@drumatic]

MrShaneGreat brilliant interview... Thanks again for sharing this with me! #kingjames

[@gmanDecksT]

Should have. Best Nautilus loop

[@phoen99rising]

@@gmanDecksT even more awkward if they played BLAC VAGINA FINDA

[@dfacedxa]

yo first i gotta say this is a dope interview. bob james is the man and it was cool to hear his input on these classics that sampled his work. much respect. i wasn't gonna say anything but its killing me. the way the dude on the left says NAS. you are pronouncing it like short for nitrous oxide, "NOS". It is not "NOS"!!!! Listen to the song you are playing in the interview. about 45 seconds in he says "nasty NAS is a rebel to America.." did you even listen to the music you are playing or any other nas's work homie? He says his name a million times in his raps. check the song "nas is like" for more examples of how to correctly pronounce the man's name. I am sorry if i sound like a dick but i had to say this for the sake of anyone else you ever pronounce NAS's name around ever again hahha.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Appreciate it, thanks for watching

[@patrickmclain4110]

YO THATS INTERESTING HIS VERSION OF FEEL LIKE MAKING LOVE CAME OUT BEFOER ROBERTA VERSION HIS IS THICK JUICY N SWEET N GROOVY ALL TOGETHER AS ONE DOPE...FLAVAH

[@ThatBo03]

Nautilus was a game changer!

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Hell yeah, hundreds if not thousands of great songs have been created from this classic.

[@Karter315]

16:57 - I kinda wish he did revenge sample them. The curiosity I have for how that would play out is palpable.

[@Kgotyt]

G.O.A.T

[@nielscobie9012]

Illuminating interview. At times, he sounds more interested in law than music. Speaking of which, you missed a golden opportunity to ask him about another of his recordings sampled by Run DMC, "Take Me to the Mardi Gras," which ALSO - if Mr. James wants to talk about legal issues - includes a portion of Tommy Cash's "Rise and Shine," the background vocals you hear in the intro with the agogo bells. He had to have known that it was a sound "coming from places where [fans] don't see our fingers doing that" 29:10. Did he break off a piece to Tommy Cash? I doubt it.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

We actually did talk about "Mardi Gras" between cuts. We may release it as a "deleted scene" later, as we wanted to keep this one focused on "Nautilus".

[@nielscobie9012]

@@LetTheRecordShowTV Cool, I look forward to hearing it. I'd be really interested in what he has to say about Tommy Cash and "Mardi Gras."

[@syviov5761]

i want that slick rick box set lol

[@Blackfeet]

@15:55 my guy cut that filthy sample off with the swiftness. 🤣

[@DezoWilliams]

😂😂😂

[@mercy4386]

I really love KZbin u can literally learn stuff every day

[@blisnemesis]

I really love KZbin u can literally learn stuff every day

[@bagley232]

criminal this got less than 16k views, but real heads always know

[@slyfoxmoney]

P.S. Let the rhythm hit em is probably my favorite use

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

There are so many we didn't cover! Talib Kweli also picked "Let the Rhythm Hit Em" in his episode of Let the Record Show.

[@JudacharFlow]

Absolutely. Blew my mind when it came out.

[@toracedunlap8020]

COOL G RAPP interview

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

We need to get him fa sho

[@jordanalia4595]

Plot twist: what if the guys at @LetTheRecordShowTV could interview Bizet to see what he thought of Bob James version of "Farandole"

[@alvinkromka163]

Not sure if mentioned, but 'King Sun - Big Shots' uses a heavy chunk of Nautilus

[@m.a.c.boogiegemologist2158]

You Guys need to interview Grand Daddy I.U. definitely would be a Good interview!

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Man that would be dooe

[@DJNICEOLDSCHOOLER]

THE ROOTS OF THE FRUIT .....

[@leftiequixote]

Anyone know what the name of the underground hip-hop track that also samples this is called which has a hook that goes something like "You catch me if you want, 24 hours my crew will have me out"?

[@leftiequixote]

Nevermind. It's The Visitor (Situation Critical) produced by Peanut Butter Wolf.

[@thailee470]

Steely Dan too!

[@Cubanlink73]

i got the twelve of jazzy jeff and f.p. jazzys groove. my favourite alongside beats to the rhyme, daytona 500 and big shot by king sun

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Undisputed classics, all of them

[@jayjuggrnaut]

There's a simple reason why the track was sampled so many times...It bangs. And this might be late (and moot with COVID) but it's hard to hear what everyone is saying with the microphones being moved around and the music playing.

[@gjbap]

Keith Murray - The Rhyme (J Dilla remix), but for me it's Eric B & Rakim. They made Nautilus sound so dark.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

We actually brought the Keith Murray Dilla remix with us that day, but we ran out of time.

[@aaronmccombs7570]

Hey Bob, call your album Bob Bite's Back!!! Do a piano play of I'd die without you by PM Dawn. I have a host of other songs you could do. That album would be AWESOME!!!!

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

That would be dope!

[@brianjames723]

Throw yourself off a Rooftop if you thumbs down Bob James’ Nautilus connection to Classic HipHop.

[@DJNICEOLDSCHOOLER]

hahahahhaha ....at the end .....HE SAYS ...I STILL LIKE MY VERSION BEST ...LOL

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Bob is a legend for that 😂

[@raphistorian]

Is this Pizzo from the HipHopsite days? Miss that site.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

yep!

[@toracedunlap8020]

How about the intro of Rap City back in the day on BET, they use it but FuNkY

[@ScottThrill]

So many uses of Nautilus to choose from you guys could’ve had a bracket tournament. Haha

[@ScottThrill]

My 2 fave flips are probably “What’s Next On The Menu?” by Pete Rock & CL Smooth and “Daaam!” by Tha Alkaholiks. But you guys covered some classics!

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

We brought more with us - including A Tribe Called Quest "Clap Your Hands" and Jeru "My Mind Spray" - but we ran out of time...

[@ScottThrill]

Let The Record Show TV I actually found the original album One back in the day at a Record Exchange for 50¢! Someone had obviously just dropped off their collection and the store had no idea what they had. Donald Byrd’s Places & Spaces, Roy Ayers’ Mystic Voyage and Vibrations, & a bunch more. Each were 50¢ a piece! It was the biggest comeup.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

@@ScottThrill isn't it the best when that happens?

[@jasont9294]

Great content. Wish you’d mic’d it properly though.

[@praheightsixty8110]

I would love to see him do a "Back on the Block" type album....wow...I don't think he took the question the right way it was meant.

[@roydrummond592]

It wasn't Biz and the Turtles, it was De La and the Turtles. Please do your research. Biz had sampling issues with Gilbert O'Sullivan.

[@flylorenzo2127]

what is the album cover art? what or who is that a picture of?

[@slickfirmament5934]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaevaZiHa8iAh5o

[@michaellane486]

IKR. I am very surprised that out of 48 YEARS no one has EVER asked him how the LP covers were created. Like who or what was his (or the label's) inspiration. That thing is hideous & I notice that his album covers had an occultic theme. I bet this grotesque being is possibly the marine spirit that influenced the song "Nautilus".

[@toracedunlap8020]

how about the intro of Rap City back in the day on BET, they used it but it was FuNkY.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Oh, you mean this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6HLnp-Piad4q80

[@craigdigga]

Dj honda - team players Electric Company - where who u b Both sampled from lucky 7 Louis logic - dos factotum.....

[@NorrinRaddInc]

Let’s not forget that Pete Rock and EPMD also sampled this record as well and made classic joints off of it.

[@jawnkandy]

Tame One - Torture Chamber

[@michaellane486]

Okay, I'm glad that Mr. James brought up the song "Feel Like Making Love" by Roberta Flack as THAT is the keyboard/piano keys sound that is familiar. Her song DOES have a few keys from "Nautilus" in it...or is that vice versa? Either way I knew that I had heard those keys before. Great interview BUT I DETEST the album cover as that demon face is just too creepy & ugly. For those in the know I bet it's a marine demon face...hence the song "Nautilus". I do like the song as it's only the LP cover I take issue with.

[@god_of_the_universe7751]

Crazy how Madlib got sued for sampling Bob James. I assume it was unauthorized

[@deelightful7996]

Bob needs his money just like anyone else. Bob needs to eat too!

[@chejones8858]

Brother Looks Like Tim Hardaway 😋

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Warren gets Funkmaster Flex comparisons too haha

[@MuzikJunky]

Replay? You mean interpolation! Peace.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

same same

[@blisnemesis]

RZA was SUPER influenced! lol #LIFTED

[@EsteemQuashIKana]

Releasing Feel Like Making Love before Roberta Flack's is ethically worse than sampling Be glad no one samples the theme from Taxi Sampling is DJ music/culture Frankie Crocker DJ Khaled Wolfman Jack All got rich manipulating recordings Cousin Brucie Let's not act like sampling was the exclusive villain Mr James didn't play all the instruments If I interviewed every session player someone would say they didn't get compensated properly for their contribution Especially the bass player and drummer Bob James didn't compose the boom bap on any of these hip hop classics that even HE rejected Given the history of European colonization The claim of stealing in music regarding sampling is petty However like Bob James I think hip hop has failed to explore the vast landscape originality offers Pick up instruments and insert sounds into your sampling instruments and CREATE The 808 sounds are samples The kick the snare everything Hip hop right now is lacking the IT factor I commend the musicians currently doing acoustic minimalist work The producer of my recording used Bob James Feel Like Making Love Personally 60% profits should go to Bob James Actually 95% If not more However the beauty of capitalism Theft can be done legally Hopefully East Flatbush Project recognized his debt to Bob James' estate as well as the record label

[@martinbock191]

seems a bit like he wants mooooooooooooooore money

[@dsamuels4373]

The omniscient wholesaler concomitantly correct because cheetah jelly nod save a skinny sphere. narrow, gleaming bail

[@retromograph3893]

Damn, I thought you were gonna have Bob talk about Nautilus but instead wanted his reaction on these crappy songs that sampled it??!! .... not interesting!!!!

[@djveteran100]

Please stop saying NOSS...LMAOOOO

[@blisnemesis]

...they are just reminding him of all the people who STOLE from him!! I'm ALL FOR sampling and do it myself, but PAY UP!!

[@phathentoff170]

Please start pronouncing 'Talib' properly.

[@djveteran100]

And Nas lol

[@toracedunlap8020]

How about the intro of Rap City back in the day on BET, they use it but FuNkY

[@toracedunlap8020]

how about the intro of Rap City back in the day on BET, they used it but it was FuNkY.

[@LetTheRecordShowTV]

Oh, you mean this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6HLnp-Piad4q80