Cypress Hill  (CD2, Tk8) 
Real Estate (1991) 
B-Real (Louis Freese), lead rapper; Sen Dog (Senen Reyes), rapper; DJ Muggs (Lawrence Muggerud), DJ/producer. 

In the late 1980s this Southern California-based group had a strong Latino following, but the groups music began to reach a broader audience after being distributed by Columbia Records in 1991. Their recordings are anything but simple; they are notable for their high production level and fascinating stereo imaging (you should use headsets to best hear this activity). Also there are many sound processing events (listen to the quality of the lead vocal when it first comes in). This manipulation of tracks as well as the obvious sound effects are probably important to the music video; they are also intended to pique listeners interest. The development of rap videos are planned from the very beginning and the music is recorded to reflect visuals in the storyboard of the video. Notice the production quality of this recording; its complexity reflects the technical expertise of veteran studio producers and engineers. This mix is full of samples, which are short audio files pasted into the recording. Much of this performance was built by the sound engineer. The rhythm section (keyboards and drum machines) and practically everything that is not a vocal was put together first and then the lead vocal was placed on top of the mix. Many of the backup vocals were probably samples as well and were moved around in the stereo image and mix as desired. 
