As a lover of all genres of music, I was extremely excited to find out that Timeless, Mochilla’s epic Composer/Arranger series was screening in DC, with JRocc of the World Famous Beat Junkies, Director B+ and Co-Director Eric Coleman.

Now remind you that the films (three in total) are all 75 minutes long, so I wondered what creative way they were going to show the film and keep the essence.

What they put together was the perfect combination of all three films, weaved together by the music of the film and JRocc finessing his DJ/VJ skills.  There are so many words I could use to describe the emotion of the room, especially during the “Suite for Ma Dukes”—the JDilla film.  The room was filled with sounds of “Ahhhhs” and “Ohhhhhs”, accompanied by head nods and handclaps—it was really beautiful to hear Hip-Hop in a different light.

I also discovered Ethiopian Jazz artist Mulatu, I’ve heard his name but never listened to his music –this film has made me look for his works.  Now, Brazilian Artist Arthur Verocai –him I have heard and loved for quite some time, some Hip-Hop heads might know his work, artists such as; Little Brother and MF Doom have sampled Verocai.   I think it’s great to see Verocai finally get the recognition for his contribution to Brazilian music.

Everyone it would behoove you to support this and films like Timeless, especially if you are seeking out a musical change or to expand your knowledge of music.  Educational films like the Timeless series should be shown in our schools and communities to inform the youth that there’s a plethora of music out there.

I’d like to thank B+, Eric Coleman for being creative bold visionaries who bring knowledge and inspiration to the Masses, I appreciate you and Mochilla! And Munch for aligning with them to bring this

wonderful masterpiece to DC! Great job gentlemen…I applaud you!

And a little Brazilian treat :: Dj Nuts -Arthur Verocai Mix

Download: Mos Def x Robert Glasper – Dilla Tribute, Ann Arbor, MI

I’ve been avoiding the “Dilla-mania” that arises on the anniversary of his death and his birthday. Don’t get me wrong, I think J Dilla is one of the best hip-hop producers of all time, but I get mad when cats who didn’t even know who Dilla was 10 years ago start claiming that he’s the G.O.A.T. just because it’s the culturally acceptable thing to do. I’m glad his work is getting more exposure, but as Mos’s photographer Cognito said last week, we need to be into our icons in life just as much as we are in death. (That goes for Michael Jackson too).

Rants aside, I did think that this Mos Def x Robert Glasper Dilla tribute to be fitting. They covered 16 of my Dilla songs for some lucky Michiganders, including”Stakes Is High and “Fall In Love.” Check it: (via Blind I and BamaLoveSoul)

01. Black Radio
02. Fantastic
03. The $
04. Interlude
05. E=MC2
06. Jam
07. Ms. Fat Booty
08. The Look of Love
09. Players
10. Bass Solo
11. Jam
12. Interlude
13. Paint The World
14. Interlude
15. Stakes Is High
16. Fall In Love

Last week, Phife Dawg was not only in town to celebrate the lasting legacy of J Dilla, but he also was on a panel entitled Hip-Hop and Health Care, sponsored by the Service Employees International Union, which focused on what the urban community could do to tackle health care reform.

Phife sat down with Sonya of The Glass House DC to talk about his current plans, why he joined the Hip-Hop and Health Care summit, on making a beat with J Dilla, and wax on some West Indian riddims.

Last Wednesday, it seemed like all of DC made it out to Liv to pay tribute to Jay Dilla. Photographer Danielle was there and took these amazing shots. Everybody from Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest, to new local sensation Phil Ade, to Illa J and Ma Dukes were in the building. It was an amazing night for Dilla all for an amazing cause.

If you dig these shots, check Danielle out at daniellescruggs.com and @dascruggs on Twitter.

Phil Ade

Phife Dawg

Illa J

Ma Dukes

You have no excuse not to be at Liv tomorrow for DC Loves Dilla. Ma Dukes, Illa J and Phife of A Tribe Called Quest will be in the building, as well as live performances by Wayna, Kev Brown, Ardamus, Roddy Rod, Oddisee, Diamond District; Alison Carney and Phil Ade.

The event is FREE, but DONATIONS are encouraged. RSVP at their Facebook Page.

Various Artists
Dillanthology Vol 2 – The Remixes

Google the phrase “J Dilla Tribute” and you’ll receive over 1,500,000 results.  The efforts to immortalize Mr. Yancey’s legacy vary from brilliant (Suite for Ma Dukes, Beat Konducta vols 5-6) to the bandwagon, unfamiliar “look at me I’m cool” culture of internet goons.  One could even reason that the world needs another Dilla compilation as much as it needs another post humus Tupac album – or the proverbial ‘hole in the head’.

Into the ring of fire comes Dillanthology Volume 2 – The Remixes – an offering from Rapster Records, a subsidiary of the !K7 Label Group. As the name suggests, the compilation focuses on the oft neglected facet of Dillas production portfolio – the remix. That focus is the albums saving grace.

The album begins with a twist on the familiar, a remix of Stakes is High feat. Mos Def.  The listener is then blessed with wave after wave of crisp head nod science as only Dilla could provide.  Although the material isn’t groundbreaking, unexpected inclusions such as “The Ultimate” by the Artifacts, the J Dilla remix to “Oblighetto” and DJ Cam’s “Love Junkee” are refreshing.

Although I found Dillanthology 2 to be a better listen than many similar attempts, it still doesn’t provide anything new.  I truly feel that artists and record labels should exert more energy in producing interpretations & inspirations of Dillas genius instead of simply recycling his discography.  The constant barrage of compilations like this, along with the aforementioned uncontrolled nature of modern Internet culture, run the risk of watering down and lessening the value of one of the most profound musical pioneers of black music.

Peace and blessings to Mrs. Maureen Yancey.

Tracklisting:
1. De La Soul – Stakes Is High ft. Mos Def & Truth Enola (Remix)
2. The Pharcyde – Y? (Be Like That) (Jay Dee Remix)
3. Masta Ace – Sitting On Chrome (Ummah Remix)
4. Slum Village – Fall In Love (Remix)
5. Four Tet – As Serious As Your Life (Jay Dee Remix)
6. Busta Rhymes – Whoo Ha (Jay Dee Remix)
7. Artifacts – The Ultimate (Jay Dee Remix)
8. Moods – Secrets Of The Sand (Remix)
9. Spacek – Eve (JayDee Mix)
10. DJ Cam -Love Junkie (Jay Dee Remix)
11. Brother Jack McDuff – Oblighetto (J Dilla Remix)
12. Brand New Heavies – Sometimes (Remix)

Jay Stay Paid Album Sampler Mix (compiled by the Beat Junkies)

People laughed when I said that J Dilla is the boho Tupac, but the fact that there is something being released every month it seems bearing the J Dilla name proves my point. Even though I cringe at a new Dilla release (I’m sorry, this is a marketing tool more tha anything) I always find myself blogging about the latest release. Why? Cause let’s face it, Dilla is a genius and is music is just to damn good. 

Jay Stay Paid has the blessing of Ma Dukes and is produced by Jay’s mentor Pete Rock. The album also features Black Thought, MF DOOM, and Jay’s brother Illa J.

Various Artists
Dillanthology Vol 1

Is this a money grab?

That’s the only thing I could think of when I saw this Dillanthology CD arrive in my mailbox. Unlike most Dilla projects, which focus on rare and unreleased material, this latest Dilla compilation deals with tracks we already know, in a sort of “greatest hits” fashion. With all the controversy surrounding Jay Dee’s estate, especially with Ma Dukes who now has lupus, the same deadly disease that claimed her son.

Of course, any Dilla is better than no Dilla at all, and the tracks here are more than familiar to any hip-hop head. Tracks like the Pharcydes’ “Runnin’,” and “Drop,” are already in my collection multiple times, as well as Erykah Badu’s “Didn’t ya Know, and De La’s “Stakes Is High.” Even if I througly enjoyed hearing these songs again for the umpteenth time, and there are is one new (to me) track — the A.G./Aloe Blacc joint “Hip-Hop Quoatable,” there just isn’t enough here for me to justify a purchace.

But I have a feeling that ultimately this CD isn’t for me. It’s for people like my sister, who is familliar with most of the songs on the disc, but still asks me, “who’s Dilla?” It’s for people like my brother, who during a streak of sanity puts down his Soulja Boy CD and wants to listen to classic hip-hop. My only thought is with this CD, people will listen, realize that this is some of the finest hip-hop ever produced, google Dilla, and eventially donate to help Ma Dukes.

Tracklisting

1. The Pharcyde-Runnin’
2. Slum Village-Fall In Love
3. Common-The Light
4. Erykah Badu-Didn’t Cha Know
5. De La Soul-Stakes Is High
6. Busta Rhymes-Show Me What You Got
7. The Roots-Dynamite
8. A.G. feat. Aloe Blacc-Hip Hop Quotable
9. The Pharcyde-Drop
10. Amp Fiddler-I Believe In You
11. Steve Spacek-Dollar

From what everybody told me, the Suite for Ma Dukes performance out in LA last Sunday was as good as promised. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make it out to the West Coast for this performance (I might fly out in April for David Axlerod though), but at least someone was able to snap some video of Talib Kweli and De La Soul performing “Stakes Is High,” and Illa J singing over ” Fall in Love”. (via Blind I for the Kids, Needledrop Twitter)

The good news for the rest of us that aren’t on the Left Coast? The’re was a film crew on hand, and a DVD will be available soon.

A Suite for Ma Dukes – Find a Way

I know that this 5 song EP popped up last week, but for those who didn’t know, please buy A Suite for Ma Dukes from iTunes. It is, one of the best Dilla tributes that I’ve ever heard. The Suite is the mastermind of  ArtDontSleep and Mochilla, Carlos Nino and Miguel Atwood Ferguson. They will also take part in a live concert, along with a 36 piece orchestra, at Luckman Fine Arts Complex in LA this Sunday as a part of the Vtech Phones Timeless series. The series also will feature Mulatu Astatke and David Axelrod.

This looks to be a very dope night: Roddy Rodd, 2 Tone Jones on the mic and J Laine spinning Dilla all night! And Kev Brown’s Birthday as well. If you buy a Raise It Up for Ma Dukes Shirt, you get free entry.

Red Lounge
2003 14th Street NW
Washington, DC
Metro: U-Street (Green/Yellow Lines)

I got the entire unreleased MCA album.

Now you do.