For the dusty-fingered deep diggers who have a sixth sense for sample-worthy sounds and unique headnodders, the name David Axelrod is gospel. An arranger with A-List credits a mile long, Axelrod had carte blanche to do what he wanted on his own solo releases, and after calling a gaggle of his high-profile studio mates (including Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Cannonball Adderley and George Duke) he turned his 1974 release Heavy Axe into a referendum on the jazz-rock sound of the era. Funky covers of “You’re So Vain” and “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” give way to the porn-funk of “Mucho Chupar” and the moody, moogy “Everything Counts,” all anchored with the full, round low end and majestic orchestral flourishes that has made Axelrod a favorite with hip hop beat makers from the ‘90s til today.