It’s a love song, but it’s far from Thug Love.
The first, a love poem comprised of several simple quatrains, solidifies Dilla’s status as one of hip-hop’s most unique talents. Nothing Like This and The $ are the album’s two biggest heavy-hitters. But he still teases you, as he knows what’s to come. As always, Dilla pulls this off without a hitch. Reckless Driving, ups the ante as the synth-heavy light beats have an epic, energizing feel because of the well-placed bass.
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Let’s Take It Back, the first full track, is highlighted by the strumming of tonal synth-samples, and it relaxes your ears as he rides the beat with some adroit emceeing. DJs that play that real live shit…like it’s straight from the motherfucking cassette.†The album then dives into one lush soundscape after another. Ruff Draft begins with a short intro: the artist himself. Now it is indie powerhouse Stones Throw (who also released Dilla’s Champion Sound collab and Donuts), to re-issue the obscure LP. Originally released in February 2003 as a vinyl-only album distributed by German label Groove Attack, Ruff Draft is some of Dilla’s last solo work before his lupus diagnosis in 2005.
But many of these new fans maybe haven’t heard of Slum Village, and because of that, weren’t exposed to his full range of talents. Underappreciated when alive, J Dilla – arguably one of the best hip-hop minds ever – and his records have amassed scores of new listeners since his death. Sadly, it’s always the dead musicians who develop the biggest following.