Sample This

Sample This offers a captivating glimpse into one of the most influential records in the history of hip-hop music, "Apache" by the Incredible Bongo Band. Directed by Dan Forrer and narrated by the inimitable Gene Simmons of KISS, this rockumentary weaves together a mosaic of music history, cultural impact, and the power of a tune so significant it has managed to cross both genre and generational boundaries.

The movie presents a captivating ride through the turbulent 1960s and early 1970s, giving viewers an inside look into the birth of a unique sound that would later influence decades of popular music. It charters the forceful current of social and political issues of the time, and how these crucial events critically impacted the music scene and gave birth to the powerful era of hip-hop.

The film kicks off by introducing us to Michael Viner, an executive at MGM Records and a man of many talents. A remarkable opportunist, Viner assembled a group of studio musicians to record an album meant to accompany the similarly titled B-movie, "The Thing with Two Heads." The band, later known as the Incredible Bongo Band, unwittingly recorded a bongo-driven cover of "Apache," a tune that would later become the most sampled track in hip-hop history.

Sample This does an excellent job of shedding light on how, almost by accident, Viner and his bongo band birthed a sound that continues to resonate in the music world. The balance of meticulously researched facts and interviews help to create a compelling narrative, tying different strands of the story together neatly. It doesn't shy away from Viner's complex character, exploring his personal and professional life, as well as the odd assortment of characters he knew, including Charles Manson.

The film does more than documents the history of the Incredible Bongo Band and their reluctant contribution to the inception of hip-hop. It connects the dots from a simple bongo rhythm to some of the biggest hits of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, spit out by the likes of innovators such as DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash. Questlove from The Roots and other notable music figures provide incredibly insightful commentary on the band's influence, which goes beyond just the hip-hop genre.

In addition to Questlove, Dan Forrer gathers an impressive roster of interviewees, including Jerry Butler, Freda Payne, Mike Curb, Afrika Bambaataa, King Errisson, Rosey Grier, and Melle Mel, all of whom add their unique perspectives and anecdotes to the film.

Sample This is not only educating but also incredibly entertaining, mainly due to the diverse succession of storylines it expertly weaves into its primary narrative. The unexpected ties between the film's characters create a rich tapestry, which makes the climax of the documentary—revealing how "Apache" became universally recognized and sampled—all the more gratifying.

Furthermore, the film gives viewers a broader sense of the music industry, effectively portraying how it was shaped and influenced by various societal and cultural changes. It also considers the ethical dimensions of sampling, a practice that, for better or worse, has become the backbone of much contemporary music that we know and love today.

The fascinating fact about Sample This is that it brings to life an untold story from an era where everything seemed slightly absurd and just a bit magical, showing how mistakes, chance encounters and a few bongo beats can be transformed into a global phenomenon.

In summary, Sample This is a thrilling, revealing, and often laugh-out-loud funny journey through one of the most inspiring and accidental creative processes known to music. Its biggest strength is its ability to shed eye-opening light on an obscure corner of music history, proving that profound cultural revolutions often spring from the simplest ideas. All these elements combine to deliver an exceptional movie experience that will enchant music enthusiasts, cultural historians, and film lovers alike.