Ol’ Burger Beats’ first release… This is where it all started.
This six-track EP from back in 2012 is packed with cosy winter vibes, superb use of vocal samples and was originally self-released by OBB himself on a limited 30-copy CDr run which was handed out to friends and family and was later being sold on his Bandcamp, and quickly sold out after that.
Sadly, this EP had never had a vinyl release, but the CDr is still available for sale directly from OBB via Discogs.com.
The first track Merry Little Christmas is a very nice introduction track, setting off the EP with a soulful sample featuring some pitched-up vocals, which reminds me of Chipmunk music – a style of hip hop frequently in early Kanye West songs which started in the early 2000’s. There’s a nice little finishing touch at the end to that track too with some Christmas-Rap and it transitions well into the next track, To You.
Track three, A Child Is Born, starts with another cosy vocal sample, then the beat kicks in: astonishing, sophisticated smooth jazz chops.
The Interlude is up next on the EP. A warm, more fast-paced beat that abruptly switches into a strings sample, concluding this short one, and again goes smoothly into the penultimate song Let It Snow. The song starts with a familiar sounding piano jazz sample, personally reminding me of Ramsey Lewis, and then the full loop kicks in.
The final track, Happy New Year is perfect to end on. Personally, I think that the last track on an album or EP should be quite long and be very catchy, so when you eject the CD, lift the needle, or stop the tape, that little chorus or loop is stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
And Ol’ Burger has nailed that spot on.