Nautilus (instrumental)

Last updated
"Nautilus"
Song by Bob James
from the album One
Released1974
Genre Smooth jazz, jazz fusion
Length5:08
Label CTI Records
Songwriter(s) Bob James
Producer(s) Creed Taylor

"Nautilus" is the sixth and final track on the 1974 album One , by the jazz keyboardist Bob James. [1]

Contents

Background and recording

"Nautilus" was recorded in 1974 at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, under the production of Creed Taylor, founder of CTI Records. The track's title was inspired by Taylor, who noted that the song's deep, resonant tones and fluid keyboard lines evoked the sound of a submarine submerging into the ocean. [2] [3] Bob James composed the piece, drawing on his blend of jazz, funk, and soul influences, which characterized much of his work during the 1970s. [4] [5]

The recording features Bob James' distinctive Fender Rhodes electric piano, layered with atmospheric synthesizer textures, creating a hypnotic and groove-heavy sound. [6] [7] [4] [5]

Legacy

"Nautilus" is widely recognized as one of the most influential tracks in jazz and hip-hop. It is said to be one of the most sampled tracks in hip-hop history. [8] [9] [10] [1] [7] [5] [11] Its grooves and rich textures have made it a cornerstone of hip-hop sampling, with its bassline, drum breaks, and keyboard riffs appearing in numerous tracks since the 1980s. The first sampling of "Nautilus" is believed to be by Ultramagnetic MC’s “Bait”, 1986. [12] Notable artists who have sampled "Nautilus" include Run-D.M.C. ("Beats to the Rhyme," 1988), A Tribe Called Quest ("Clap Your Hands," 1993), and Naughty by Nature ("O.P.P.," 1991).

According to music database WhoSampled, the track has been sampled in over 410 songs. [13] [14]

Personnel

References

  1. 1 2 Carter, Bobby (2024-05-20). "Bob James: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  2. ↑ "Sample Stories with Bob James – A Hip Hop History". Bobjames.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  3. ↑ "The Dire Plight of the Chambered Nautilus and the Healthier Appreciation of Bob James' "Nautilus"". The Awl . Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  4. 1 2 Pablo, J. (2013-10-30). "We Interviewed Bob James, Hip-Hop's Unlikely Godfather". VICE. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  5. 1 2 3 "The music of Bob James shaped generations of hip-hop artists". JAZZ.FM91. 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  6. ↑ Murph, John (2013-10-17). "Five Songs By The 'Rhodes Scholar' Keyboardist Of Hip-Hop". NPR. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  7. 1 2 "Bob James Returns with Acoustic Trio Disc". downbeat.com. 2018-11-02. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  8. ↑ One of the Most Sampled Songs in Hip-Hop Now Has a Sequel (Audio), Ambrosia for Heads, July 24, 2018
  9. ↑ Juon, Steve "Flash" (August 18, 2015). "The Top 15 Rap Songs to Sample "Nautilus"". Rap Reviews. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  10. ↑ Patrin, Nate (November 26, 2018). "Breaks With Tradition: "Nautilus"". Stereogum . Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  11. ↑ "'Nautilus' Beat Battle: Judged by 9th Wonder". Tracklib.com. 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  12. ↑ "Bob James' "Nautilus": The Samples". Stereogum. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  13. ↑ "Nautilus by Bob James on WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  14. ↑ "Bob James' "Nautilus": The Samples". Stereogum. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  15. ↑ "Sample Stories with Bob James – A Hip Hop History | BOB JAMES". Archived from the original on 2016-05-28. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
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