David Axelrod dead at 83

Two days ago a highly influential composer died.

You might recognize this one of his most famously sampled works



A lot of Hip Hop artists have sampled him



(checkout also: DJ Shadow and Madlib)


Axelrod's memory definitely rests at least in part on the musicians who've sampled his work, like an eternal salute.

But Axelrod's popularity is as much a result of his union and direction of masterful musicians, members of The Wrecking Crew; highly sought-after session musicians in 1960's/70's Los Angeles.

In any case, those who find in his work something like sublimity I'm sure are forever thankful.