When a new samples collection arrives for review, a quick listen to the accompanying demos is usually first on the agenda. They’re often a mish-mash of styles and crossfades, but in this case, HipHop/Lounge artists Fungus & Weed give us 30 short (8-bar) but very impressive tasters. Supplied as a two-DVD set (.WAV, Apple Loops/AIFF, Reason ReFill and Rex2 Xpander files, all 24-bit) the music is downtempo (85, 90, 95BPM), groovy, cool and enigmatic in character.



On DVD 1, the .WAV loops are categorised as FullBeat & Nstrumental, with one loop containing drums and the other the bass and chords. The material is broken down further, though, with a chords-only folder and three drum loop folders ? 8Beat & Swing (two versions, straight and swung), Kick-Snare and HiHat. The Apple Loops are similarly categorised, but in this case the drums are available multi-track-style for extra separation (although being very much a ‘produced’ set, they are already processed).



The Rex2 folder on DVD 2 is in the same vein, with specially prepared files for use within RMX and Reason, but also compatible with any other Rex2-compatible software. A Reason Refill is also to be found, along with more .WAVs in the form of chords, riffs, bass, Rhodes piano, scratch, percussion and vinyl FX samples.



This is a thoroughly professional, if expensive, loop library, but well worth the outlay if you produce this style of music (check out the Fungus & Weed MySpace page).



Verdict: A stylish, glossy and well-produced double-DVD set of cool-sounding hip hop loops that are full of character and interest.



Rating: 9/10