Confused about the reason why this was returned

[MathieuF]

Hi !

I usually understand quite well why some of my stuff is returned, either because I kind of knew myself it wouldn't work or the critique is clear...but this time I'm just confused !

That was the track : https://soundcloud.com/mathieufiset/delicatesse-demo-v2

That was the listing :

FUN, 1990’s to EARLY 2000’s-Style HIP-HOP INSTRUMENTALS are needed by TUESDAY (July 10th) for an (up to) $30,000, Direct-to-Music Supervisor placement as the Opening Theme Music in a new TV Series on a huge Global Cable Network. NOTE: We recently ran this request as (TAXI # Y180520FH), but they still haven’t found what they are looking for. They not only asked us to run another search, but they TRIPLED THE LICENSING FEE! If you submitted to TAXI # Y180520FH, please submit different material this time around! They’re looking for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals that are in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the following references our client gave us: The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nCqRmx3Dnw “Finesse” by Bruno Mars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRSaiAREnwI “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phOW-CZJWT0 Although the references have vocals, this request is for Instrumentals only. Please submit original, well-crafted Hip-Hop Instrumentals that authentically capture the Hip-Hop sound of that glorious ‘90’s era. Your Instrumentals should be melodically and rhythmically engaging, with a tone, feel, and vibe that would fit right in with the examples above. Your submissions can be actual old school Instrumentals recorded in the 1990’s or early 2000’s, or they can be Instrumentals recently recorded and just inspired by that era. Your submissions should be at least 2 minutes long with a buttoned ending. Do NOT copy the referenced artists or songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed. The estimated license fee for this use is (up to) $30,000, depending on the ultimate placement. This is an EXCLUSIVE deal that would likely be with the publishing division of the company. They would likely get 100% of the publisher’s share, and you would get 100% of the writer’s share. The music you submit for this pitch CANNOT be signed with any other publishers or catalogs. Please submit as many Instrumentals as you’d like online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis – Short critiques only. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM (PDT), on Tuesday, July 10th, 2018. TAXI #Y180710FH

And that's the critique I got for it :

Track has more of a 70's funk rock type of style than the 90's / 2000's style tracks that are referenced in listing description. Overall, electronic elements are pretty dated sounding for this era as well.

So.... It was supposed to sound "dated" to sound like the 90's right ? So I used the DX7 rhodes, the Nord Lead synth pad and some drums that I thought was pretty close to the reference (Bruno Mars - Finesse). I even used a very similar chord progression and groove/tempo...I even thought for a while that it was way TOO CLOSE to the reference...but now it seems like I was quite off track...? And I don't understand why it would sound like "70's funk" ? The DX7 did not even exist in these years and certainly no quantized electronic drums...or Nord Synths ! So really...I'm quite confused.

I thought it would get a return for being too close to the reference, but the reason they gave me is quite upsetting...please help me understand !!

[Casey H]

Hey Mathieu
I have to strongly agree with the screener here. This sounds like funk, very retro (maybe 70s), not hip-hop.

Best,
Casey

[Len911]

It sounds like Boz Scaggs! Boz is probably best known for his 1976 album Silk Degrees, however, I would say is 80's and 90's stuff is much what your track sounds like style-wise.

https://youtu.be/xi-GDD8yFyo

[ttully]

I have to agree..... sounds like funk.

The bass line may of worked....its really catchy..... but the electric piano sound is what is not working.

My 2 cents
Tim

[cosmicdolphin]

Cool track but different style to what the Listing requested

[MathieuF]

Ok ...style wise I know this wasn't very hip hop, or at all...but if you listen to the reference song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRSaiAREnwI

I think what I did was pretty damn close, nearly copied even. So that's why I don't understand

But I guess I can't only use ONE of the reference tracks...

And again, the piano I used is the DX7 and it didn't exist in the 70s, nor the Nord Lead...

I know it's too late to fight against their decisions, but I feel like I often get the "sounds too dated" comment from the screeners and sometimes I don't quite get it. Music that comes out NOW is so inspired by the 80s and 90s that it's hard to know what really sounds "now"...don't you think ?

[Casey H]

Ok ...style wise I know this wasn't very hip hop, or at all...but if you listen to the reference song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRSaiAREnwI

I think what I did was pretty damn close, nearly copied even. So that's why I don't understand

But I guess I can't only use ONE of the reference tracks...

And again, the piano I used is the DX7 and it didn't exist in the 70s, nor the Nord Lead...

I know it's too late to fight against their decisions, but I feel like I often get the "sounds too dated" comment from the screeners and sometimes I don't quite get it. Music that comes out NOW is so inspired by the 80s and 90s that it's hard to know what really sounds "now"...don't you think ?

While I agree that the Bruno Mars reference isn't really hip-hop, but the other two reference tracks are. However, your track does NOT sound similar to the Bruno Mars track. You need to really A/B listen to the two tracks, especially the bass.

Also, this was an (up to) $30,000 deal. The bar for that is ULTRA, ULTRA high. You really have to nail it.

Best,
Casey

[funsongs]

For what it's worth - only 10 seconds into the track and I'm thinking I'm gonna hear an Al Jarreau song... or possibly Boz Scaggs.

[MathieuF]

Alright thanks everyone, I think I have to come to the conclusion that I was not on the right track after all, although I think I did "something" cool anyway haha...could always be used for something else later Thanks !

[Paulie]

Track not available any longer, but I have to chime in. The DX7 pretty much defined the mid-80s sound. That crystal tines patch was the shiznit. It instantly sends the listener circa 1983-84...