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J Dilla - The Shining...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, September 14, 2006
J Dilla blessed the Hip-Hop and Soul world with some of its finest cuts down the years with his close knit circulated beat CD’s being christened ‘treats’ by Questlove of The Roots. The Shining was made before his untimely passing and is one last treat before he went to that cipher in the sky. His music always oozed soul and a feeling which is missing in so much music these days and despite being a short 12 tracks, it’s justifiably one of the albums of the year with its heavyweight cast of Common, Black Thought, Dwele, Madlib and Busta Rhymes. Even D’Angelo makes a long awaited appearance!

One of the standouts is the song Love featuring a much welcome return for Pharoah Monch. It’s been seven years since Pharoahe released an album and if J Dilla can make him sound like this then we have one hell of an album on the way. Bringing that feel good factor back to the music it celebrates Love without being corny, it’s strictly real talk over a beat that leaves you with the feeling of Motown.

A lesson in in the art of emceeing is E=MC2. A hard hitting bounce of a beat combined with Common's on point flow. How those that could ever have doubted Common’s mic ability when he made ‘Electric Circus’ I don’t know. He fired back last year with ‘Be’ and continues his hunger with a lyrical assault over a hard-hitting funk beat with Dilla inserting a rousing chorus. Strictly heavyweight stuff.

Loving Movin is a head nodding jam and the most experimental of the albums 12 tracks with the vibe dripped in the feel of a late night cabaret bar. J Dilla provides the feet tapping backing to Black Thoughts gusto for a rhyme, coupled with shout outs to your favourite emcees. Other highlights see two artists who Jaydee was responsible for producing their most standout albums, Common and D'Angleo combine on the laidback So far To Go and Jungle Love featruing newcomer Guilty Simpson is one to test your speakers with its heavyweight drumbeat.

He may have passed to make beats in the sky, but Jaydee will never be forgotten.

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