where to? structure/composition help

[talk midway]

i'm really struggling with this new track. i think i psyched myself out because the vocal sample is so good - it's an a cappella praise song by a formerly enslaved woman from Mississippi. right now i've got verse, chorus, verse. that's it.

would more instruments help, or more variations on current instruments? better drums? what about an ending?

paper:
https://soundcloud.com/talkmidway/paper

[rayc]

I think I understand your dilemma. the vocal sample is SO GOOD that I just wanted to hear it agin and the instrumental section (chorus?) lacks the focus that the vocal gives. Structurally there's no problem and it could be elongated by another minute or so without issue.
What to do in the instrumental section? I'd pick a phrase or two from the vocal and modulate them to fit your chords but also reduct the polyphony - the instrumental is busy in comparison to the verse.
Alternatively some sampled phrases from an Australian Aboriginal song would suggest commonality of tone. OR actually sample the woman's voice & play you melody using that sound.
OR dig out a Deep Forest recording and listen to how they did what you're doing on a more "pop" level.
Interesting stuff mate, and a prime example of a sample possibly being too good.

[talk midway]

I think I understand your dilemma. [...]

great feedback - really helpful - thank you! i'll post a reworking when it's ready

funny that you mention Australian Aboriginal samples - i built a track around some in 2011 (see below). maybe i'll dig out that folder...

https://soundcloud.com/talkmidway/02-properties

[talk midway]

a new version - not done, but close:

https://soundcloud.com/talkmidway/paper

i used rayc's suggestion of modulating the vocal sample for the middle section; turned out nice, i think. thanks dude!

[rayc]

02 Properties is very cool - adds some light summer breeze against the expectation of oppressive heat.
V2 - that's def. progress - some commonality with the 1st part but taking it further - the lower voices certainly add to it. You might have to consider thinning outy that middle a little though - still very busy but interestinly so.