Various Artists - Dillanthology 2 (Album)
Like the name suggests, this compilation is part two of a retrospective of the work of the late producer James Dewitt Yancey (also known as J Dilla or Jay Dee). While the first Dillanthology focused on Jay Dee’s production skills for various artists, the second volume focuses exclusively on the remixes he has done. The first remix is Stakes Is High by De La Soul featuring Mos Def & Truth Enola. The original version of this track featured on the first compilation, so it’s easy to see how Jay Dee remixed his own tracks. Rather than add more layers of production, he stripped the record back into a funky groove, characterised by many of his soulful tracks. Y? (Be Like That) by The Pharcyde is another track steeped in a soulful mood and an understated beat.
Sitting On Chrome by Masta Ace is such a bare remix, it sounds unlike the contemporary Hip-Hop of today. The simplicity of vocals and a few beats seems to hark back to an earlier era of Hip-Hop and Soul. As Serious As Your Life by Four Tet is a moment of late-night funkiness, with understated layers of production. This compilation is filled with tracks that were originally rocking, but Jay Dee stripped them back and filled them with a laidback, soulful groove. The best example of this is Whoo Ha by Busta Rhymes. While the original version may have filled nightclub dance floors, the remix is more suited to chillin’ on a couch and just nodding your head.
Usually, remixes are speeded-up, crazier versions of the originals. But not for Jay Dee. All the 13 remixes on this CD are suitably chill, with a soulful mood, designed for just sitting around at night and relaxing. While some of the remixes are not as energetic and catchy as the originals, it’s a testament to Jay Dee’s production mastery to turn these tracks to a sort of Hip-Hop/Rap version of those Chill Out Session CDs.
