Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)
Song by Hashim
Jerry Calliste Jr., better known as Hashim, was born on November 26, 1965, in Bronx, New York. He is a songwriter, producer, and Electro Funk pioneer mostly known for primordial 1983 hip hop, electro-funk classic "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)." He has a charismatic personality and was DJing already at the age of 12, and at an early age, he promoted parties.
In 1983, Calliste Jr. co-founded New York Independent record label Cutting Records Inc with Marin brothers Aldo and Amado, and "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" was the first and opening release of the label. Hashim wrote and produced "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" when he was 17. Both Aldo and Amado were involved in making the record, Aldo as an editor, mixing engineer, and Amado as executive-producer.
"The Soul" is truly a special piece of early Electro with a legendary use of Roland TR-808 that is recognizable as it is in "Planet Rock," "Egypt Egypt" or "Loose Ends - Hanging On A String" or like in Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing." The beat was brilliantly programmed, and it is a classic for every bboy competition even today.
It isn't just the programming that’s awesome; it's also produced and post-produced in a way that set the standards for future Electro to come. The reverb on the beat, especially the snare drum, gives the groove a sense of a live drum set recording. The drums are edgy and snappy, and fantastic breakdowns and scratches made this piece an ultimate DJ weapon and inspiration for Electro producers.
All in all, the atmosphere, leads, and sequence are so recognizable that many musicians have sampled them. However, the bassline is the most crucial part and inspired upcoming Electro artists by the end of the '80s and the beginning of the '90s.
The gritty and funky bassline that maybe came out from Korg Poly-61 or Prophet 5 or Roland Juno 60 or Roland Jupiter 8, which became a "postulate" for "New School" Electro to come in the '90s. Many artists like Damon Baxter (Sem), Dagobert, Dynamik Bass Machine, Anthony Rother have made their sounds inspired by this bassline.
Mixed by Aldo Marin and mastered by the legendary Herb Powers Jr. made this one shine and stand out.
"Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" was issued in more than 30 official releases, mainly on Cuttin Records through the '80s, but have also been published on German "ZYX" and the UK's "Streetwave" in 1983, and more to come through the decades on different labels in France, Netherlands, and Spain.
During the early 1980s, it reached #43 in the "Billboards Dance Disco Charts." It is unknown how many copies of the record were sold, but parts of "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" has been sampled in more than 130 official releases.
"The Soul" is a timeless inspiration and a hitter with the groove that makes you move. It gets better like wine as it ages, so listen to this one and be inspired by one of early Electro's pioneers and innovators.