This 70’s One Album Wonder Has Been Sampled by Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest

One this week’s Sam’s Jams, the 1976 RAMP album “Come Into Knowledge” is considered a classic among rare-groove collectors, despite being the group’s only record.

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Meta Stange/WDET
Meta Stange/WDET

RAMP (an acronym for “Roy Ayers Music Productions”) was formed by Roy Ayers in 1976. Ayers was not actually in the band, but he did write and produce songs on their album “Come Into Knowledge.”

This was the only album they recorded, and is considered a classic among rare-groove collectors. It’s been sampled many times by hip-hop and R&B artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Common and many others.

“Come Into Knowledge” was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City and at Record Plant in Los Angeles, California. The group also performed on other songs for Roy Ayers and Edwin Birdsong.

Sam’s Jams is the weekly song selection of WDET’s creative producer Sam Beaubien, a longtime Detroit musician who also helms the soul-funk band Will Sessions.

From 70 years ago to contemporary releases today, Sam’s Jams is the musical equivalent of digging for hours in dusty record store bins to find forgotten-but-should-be-remembered deep cuts pulled from the genres of funk, jazz and soul genres.

Author

  • Sam Beaubien
    Sam Beaubien is a musician, composer, producer, and educator in Detroit. He is also the founder and leader of the acclaimed ensemble, Will Sessions.