The Unsung Hero & legendary studio behind Bruno Mars', The Romantic
When Bruno Mars dropped The Romantic on February 26th, one detail stood out to those who listened a little closer: the strings. Rich, cinematic, and unmistakably soulful, six of the album’s nine tracks feature the legendary touch of composer, arranger, and conductor Larry Gold.
Larry Gold, Getty Images
Gold’s legacy runs deep. From shaping the sound of artists like Jill Scott, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Silk Sonic, and Erykah Badu, to arranging for timeless records like Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, his fingerprints are all over modern soul, R&B, and hip-hop. His signature? Strings that not only decorate a record, but make it move it with feeling.
That same spirit lives inside Splice’s latest Bruno-inspired pack Retro Romance: Classic Soul, a timeless soul sounding pack from award winning producer and instrumentalist Dave James. Even prior to this pack many others have been recorded at MilkBoy in Philadelphia—the very studio that evolved from Gold’s original creative hub. Long before it became MilkBoy, the space was a magnet for artists across the country, drawn by Gold’s ear for arrangement and his ability to bring records to life. Today, MilkBoy continues that legacy, hosting sessions for artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Lil Uzi Vert, John Legend, and Meek Mill.
Splice has been tapping into that lineage, recording packs that channel both the precision and emotion of Philly’s orchestral soul tradition. Splice’s in-house labels Discotheque and Diaspora have created packs like: Retro Strut Vol. 2, Revolution, Boogie Down, Philly Disco, Montuno: Boogaloo and Liberation, exploring rhythm-forward globally inspired textures, at the legendary studio. Across the span of Discotheque’s library, you’ll hear disco strings directly inspired by Gold’s influence—lush, rhythmic, built to elevate a groove.
Use the button below to check out Retro Romance: Classic Soul by Soul Surplus and be sure to check out their label page for more amazing sample packs. Plug in, pull up a string section, and build something that lasts.