Neil Martin · Beats, Business & Life

Track by Track

Tricky’s Overcome, the 1995 Maxinquaye single that reworks Massive Attack’s Karmacoma, and the record for getting through hard things together.

Overcome by Tricky: The Record for Getting Through Hard Things Together

Tricky’s 1995 single, his own remake of Massive Attack’s Karmacoma, and why it’s the record to play when you’ve got something hard to get through with people beside you.

Brand New Start by Paul Weller: The Record That Says It’s Never Too Late

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The one new song on Paul Weller’s greatest hits, the Abbey Road single that reached number 16 in 1998, and why it’s the record to play when you need to start the day again.

The 2014 Wu-Tang Clan track with Method Man’s line about ambition, the 1975 soul record it samples, and why it’s the one to play when you’re ready.

A Better Tomorrow by Wu-Tang Clan: A Record for When You’ve Done the Work

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The 2014 Wu-Tang Clan track with Method Man’s line about ambition, the soul record it samples, and why it’s the one to play once the preparation’s done.

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy, the Mtume sample behind it, and the demo tape and DJ that started it all. The record for dreaming big and starting small.

Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G.: The Record for Dreaming Big and Starting Small

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The Biggie record that starts with a kid reading a magazine, the demo tape and the DJ behind it, and why it’s the one to play when your dream feels a long way off.

The Paul Weller single that went in at number seven in 1995, the ELO riff inside it, and why it’s the one to play loud when change is in the air.

The Changingman by Paul Weller: A Record for When Change Is in the Air

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The Paul Weller single that went in at number seven in 1995, the ELO riff hiding inside it, and why it’s the record to play loud when the ground feels like it’s shifting.

The Redman record Mike Tyson walked out to, the Cypress Hill sample behind its chorus, and why it’s the one to put on when you need to get going.

Time 4 Sumaksion by Redman: The Record to Get You Out of Bed and Into the Gym

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The Redman record Mike Tyson walked out to, the Cypress Hill sample behind its chorus, and why it’s the one to put on when you need to get up and get going.

Breathe is a Dust and Data track about slowing down and giving yourself grace. Why the breakdown matters on the dancefloor and in life.

Breathe by Dust and Data: Permission to Slow Down

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A track about slowing down, taking a breath and giving yourself some grace, and why the pause is often where the clarity turns up.

I Can by Nas

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I Can by Nas is my track for quiet resolve: nothing comes easy, it takes practice, and if you want to be the noun you have to do the verb.

Moment of Truth by Gang Starr

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Moment of Truth by Gang Starr is my track for patient generosity: actions have reactions, and we never really know what’s going on for other people.

Why You Don’t Know Me by Armand Van Helden, one of my favourite house songs ever, is my track for the person we never take the time to understand.

You Don’t Know Me by Armand Van Helden, and why it’s on my soundtrack

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Why You Don’t Know Me by Armand Van Helden, one of my favourite house songs ever, is my track for the person we never take the time to understand.

Faithful by Common, and why it had to make my soundtrack

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Why Faithful by Common, from his 2005 album Be, is my track for trust and loyalty, and why one of my favourite rappers was always going to make my daily soundtrack.