IT'S FANTASTIC

Jaylib: The Red
From Dillanthology 3 (Strut, 2009)

Many critics and hip hop fans agree that J. Dilla was a creative beat (and musical) genius. Whether it was for other artists such as The Pharcyde, Busta Rhymes, Janet Jackson, Slum Village, or A Tribe Called Quest (all of which are highlighted in the first 2 volumes of this trilogy) or for himself in his solo career (highlighted in this third and final installment), his productions embodied what hip hop and soulful music was and could be.

It’s a testament to the peer respect within the industry that Dilla had that BBE commissioned him to be their first artist in a Beat Generation hip hop series. That release, Welcome 2 Detroit, finds its way into nearly 1/5 of Dillanthology 3’s cuts. The minimalistic, bass-heavy funk of “Pause” features duo Frank N Dank trading rhymes back and forth. Unfortunately Dilla’s re-edit of the Donald Byrd classic, Think Twice didn’t make the album.

However, “The Red,” an absolute smash mouth banger from the Jaylib album, his collaboration with Madlib, still has concussed people in line at the local MedCheck. With its insane vocal chopped samples that become almost an instrument of their own and the synthy bass that pounds throughout, Madlib spars with his alterego Quasimoto before the beat slows down. Conversely, at this point Dilla wasn’t slowing down his production out; he was hitting an even higher creative peak including the concept “Donuts” album, whose opener also opens this new collection.

Sadly, he would not see the release of several albums of material before succumbing to lupus, including the aforementioned “Donuts.” This collection, along with the other 2 Dillanthology releases, reminds of the genius that was and of a legend who won’t soon be forgotten.