If you are reading your first Track by Track, here on iStandardProducers.com, then there are a few things you must know:
#1 We focus mostly on the beats … obviously – hence the name “PRODUCERS” in iStandardProducers.com… however we are still reviewing the record as a whole.
#2 EVERY track gets equal shine…
#3 You know how we do it…we don’t check the credits until the album is heard in its entirety! Lets get into it!
With every passing month, Dilla is quickly becoming the 2Pac of hip hop producers—either an officially released LP hits the shelves (the excellent Jay Stay Paid) or a half-assed cut-and-paste unsanctioned “homage” mix hits zshare (too many Dilla-themed mixtapes to list). Dillanthology 1 merely hinted at the man’s greatness by hosting some choice yet obvious cuts from his extensive catalogue. Dillanthology 2 is a collection of rare remixes that should please longtime Jay Dee fans and new jacks who came on board after Donuts.
“Stakes is High Remix” De La Soul f/ Mos Def and Truth Enola
The original “Stakes is High” was Dilla’s introduction to a lot of hip hop heads, myself included. This remix has hints of the original, including pieces of the Ahmad Jamal sample tossed around during the hook. It pales in comparison to the original’s booming snares and signature horn samples, but at least we get new verses from Pos, Dave, Mos and Truth Enola. The track reminds me of a mid 90’s Showbiz track moreso than the Ummah, and depending on your taste, that could be an improvement.
“Y? (Be Like That) (Jay Dee Remix)” The Pharcyde
After doing memorable work on Pharcyde’s Labcabincalifornia, I really enjoy this remix more than the original version off the LP. The track is very sparse with a filtered Rhodes loop and some bouncy drums that allow the ‘Cyde and a guest vocalist to shine on the catchy hook. This beat would’ve been right at home on A Tribe Called Quest’s Beats, Rhymes, and Life. In retrospect, Dilla should’ve kept Fatlip’s number in his Skytel pager—Fatlip is one of the few lyricists that slides right in pocket over Dilla’s funk.
“Sitting on Chrome (Ummah Remix)” Masta Ace
The “Ummah” tag lets me believe that Q-Tip helped out on this track while Ali Shaheed Muhammed made some pizza pretzel bites for the guys. While I like the kick drum pattern on the hook, I don’t think this beat fits Masta Ace or the spirit of the original “Sitting on Chrome.” The Rhodes stabs and crackling snare remind of Fantastic Vol. 1 and the J-88 record Slum Village put out years ago, but it seems like a thrown together demo rather than a fully realized remix.
“Fall in Love (Remix)” Slum Village
The original “Fall in Love” is probably my favorite SV song of all time and a fan favorite from Fantastic Vol. 2. Since they couldn’t clear the sample for the US release, some folks may not notice the reworking done of this version. Baatin and T3 spit the same rhymes. Even the reverb on Dilla’s vocals from the hook sound identical to the original. This remix has more bounce to it and a breezy harpsichord sample with a nice bass guitar lick tossed in to give a live feel. I’m not sure when this was made, but it still sounds fresh today and would’ve been a great interlude or bonus cut on Fantastic Vol. 2.
“As Serious As Your Life (Jay Dee Remix)” Four Tet f/ J Dilla and Guilty Simpson
Longtime Dilla and Stones Throw will recognize these drums instantly from Oh No’s single “Move”. They work great on this transformation of Four Tet’s work, Tet being a seminal electronic ambient glitch hop artist and all. Really, these drums would make a Bette Midler track get love in the D. The running synth line that permeates the track adds a sense of urgency to a beat that is otherwise bright and whimsical. Dilla once again planted a sparse guitar lick during the hook just to keep it dense. The vocal arrangement is excellent as well, adding to the airy spell of the strings. Just great stuff from all angles.
“Woo Ha (Jay Dee Remix)” Busta Rhymes
This is really a lose-lose situation, as “Woo Ha” was Busta’s coming out party and one of the most memorable songs of 1996. Busta always had a Dilla beat on his album (save for the recent Back On My Bullshit) but like the Masta Ace remix, this sounds like a demo rather than the Four Tet and Slum Village remixes which brought out new elements, or completely built a new song, out of an older idea. You can tell when Busta caters his vocals to a beat, and that’s when he makes his best work. This remix is too drab and doesn’t match Busta’s energy from the original.
“The Ultimate (Jay Dee Remix)” The Artifacts
Another beat that sounds like an outtake from Fanstatic Vol. 1, the boom bap jazz feel on “The Ulimate (Jay Dee Remix)” isn’t great but isn’t terrible. Combining gutter Jersey MC’s from the wrong side of the tracks with Dilla’s Detroit jazz lounge results in a confusing product. Plus, the original version of “The Ultimate” might be the best track The Artifacts ever did, with big stabs and drums accenting Tame One and El Da Sensai’s strong deliveries. Here, they sound out of their element—the Artifacts are more Beatminerz than Ummah.
“Secrets of the Sand (Jay Dee Remix)” Mood
The same idea for the previous track that failed surprisingly works great here. Mood is a gritty, subterranean group from Cincinatti best known for the DJ Hi-Tek banger “Karma” from ’97. Somehow, Dilla’s signature handclaps and nasty kicks fit these guys perfectly. Maybe it’s the Midwest connection. This track doesn’t fit Mood’s catalogue, but gives them a totally different vibe that I really enjoy. The filtered Rhodes sample coasts along comfortably and the bassline warms up your subwoofers. I can here this track on The Roots’ Things Fall Apart.
“Eve (Jay Dee Remix)” Steve Spacek f/ J Dilla and Frank-N-Dank
Oh my god, THESE DRUMS ARE DIRTY! I’m not sure if they’re taking from a reel-to-reel or a Maxell cassette. I’m guessing this from his Ruff Draft era of excavated drums and spare, airy arrangements. I love how Steve Spacek’s vocals are whispering alongside the bassline. The strings and guitar for the hook just add a glimmer of light to an almost ghostly track that knocks like Jehovah witnesses. Another outstanding remix.
“Love Junkie (Jay Dee Remix)” DJ Cam
Philly’s own DJ Cam was big on ambient instrumental albums. Who better than Dilla to remix “Love Junkie”? The kick drum here would make Pharrell’s mouth water. I like the shaker tip toeing behind the kick too. The quiet chords that pop up make the vocalist really stand out. And that bassline is butter. This is a classic case of less is more.
“Oblighetto (J Dilla Remix)” Brother Jack McDuff
Built around the “Scenario” sample, Dilla gets the band back together for this uber jazz piece. This remix sounds like it was done around the time of Welcome 2 Detroit. It’s very focused and tight. The trumpet arrangement is outstanding. I love the bridge at 1:54 into the song with the keys. Reminds me of a Dwele song.
“Sometimes (Jay Dee Remix)” Brand New Heavies f/ Q-Tip
A pretty standard neo-soul affair here. A little too stale for my tastes with nothing special or remarkable to note. It really sounds like a precursor to Q-Tip’s album Kamaal The Abstract.
BONUS “Without You (J Dilla Remix)” Lucy Pearl
This may or not be on the retail version of the album, but if it is, you are in for a treat. I wasn’t always sure who borrowed from who: Raphael Saadiq or Dilla. An electric rhythm guitar riff moves this thumper along and the very minimal drum patterns make for an instant head nodder. The bassline is magic, and the chords compliment Saadiq perfectly. You keep waiting for a climax that never comes, but that’s ok. Those drums are enough, and the vocals are top shelf. You can’t lose when two geniuses hop in the studio together.
As a collection of random Jay Dee tracks, you could do worse than Dillanthology 2. It’s interesting to hear how his sounds and ideas shifted over time, from the late 90’s jazzy boom bap to the early 00’s spacey live flavor. There’s three or four essential tracks on here, but not enough to warrant buying the entire disc. Grab the mostly rare remixes of Four Tet, Steve Spacek, DJ Cam, and Mood if you’re looking to shore up your Dilla playlist on your iPod. Otherwise, cop Jay Stay Paid for a more fully realized collection of Dilla’s work.
Rating: 3 out of 5
