Description
DJ Shadow – Entroducing… – Double Vinyl Record
Released on September 16, 1996, Endtroducing….. by DJ Shadow is a groundbreaking album that redefined the possibilities of sampling in music and established the genre of instrumental hip-hop as a legitimate art form. Created entirely using an Akai MPC60 sampler and built from an eclectic collection of vinyl records, the album is a masterclass in sonic collage, blending hip-hop, funk, jazz, soul, rock, and ambient influences into a cohesive and immersive soundscape.
DJ Shadow (real name Joshua Davis) approached Endtroducing….. with an obsessive attention to detail, meticulously piecing together obscure samples to craft an album that feels timeless and deeply personal. It was recorded at a time when sampling was often considered a supplement to traditional instrumentation, but Shadow turned it into the foundation of his artistry, elevating crate-digging to an act of creativity and reverence. The result is an album that plays like an introspective journey, full of haunting atmospheres, rhythmic experimentation, and moments of profound beauty.
The opening track, “Building Steam with a Grain of Salt,” sets the tone with its hypnotic piano loop, ethereal vocal snippets, and philosophical musings, encapsulating the album’s reflective mood. “Midnight in a Perfect World,” one of Shadow’s most celebrated tracks, blends lush strings, jazzy pianos, and haunting vocals into a transcendent piece that feels both melancholic and hopeful. On tracks like “Organ Donor,” Shadow injects an energetic burst of funk with its sharp organ riff, while “Stem/Long Stem” takes listeners on a sprawling, cinematic journey through shifting tempos and emotional peaks.
Beyond its technical innovation, Endtroducing….. is deeply atmospheric, with Shadow using his samples not just as musical elements but as storytelling tools. The album feels like a meditation on memory, nostalgia, and the act of creation itself. Its seamless transitions and cohesive flow make it more than a collection of songs—it’s an immersive experience that rewards close listening.
Critically acclaimed upon release, Endtroducing….. was lauded for its originality and artistry. It earned a place in the Guinness World Records as the first album created entirely from samples and has since been celebrated as one of the greatest albums of the 1990s. Its influence extends far beyond hip-hop, inspiring artists across genres to explore the creative potential of sampling.
Nearly three decades after its release, Endtroducing….. remains a landmark in electronic and hip-hop music. Its intricate compositions and emotional depth continue to resonate, solidifying DJ Shadow’s reputation as a visionary artist who redefined what an album could achieve with turntables and imagination.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Best Foot Forward
Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt
The Number Song
Changeling
**Transmission 1
Stem/Long Stem
**Transmission 2
Mutual Slump
Organ Donor
Why Hip Hop Sucks In ’96
Midnight In A Perfect World
Napalm Brain/Scatter Brain
What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 1 – Blue Sky Revisit)
**Transmission 3
