September 28, 2006 @ 12:51 pm

J Dilla - The Shining (BBE)

Charles Aaron

right His hip hop and neo-soul productions wafted in and out at odd angles—like shadowy light in a film noir tableau. Occasionally, his bass lines straightened into a rugged bounce or rumble, and his tracks appeared in colorful relief, like a morning sunburst (Common’s 2000 “The Light”) or a neon glint (De La Soul’s 1996 “Stakes Is High”) or a glittery flash (Q-Tip’s 1999 “Vivrant Thing”). But after those vivid, arresting moments, he’d return to his drifting soft-focus keyboards and gritty, wobbly beats. While some producers like to make it look easy, Dilla was often content with mystery. So The Shining, Dilla’s final studio work, is an unexpected blessing. His scattered styles are woven together seamlessly. From the buoyant hip hop soul of “Love” (with a firm Pharoahe Monch presiding) to the mesmerizing swoon of “Baby” to the punchy swagger of “Body Movin’,” Shining brims with clear-cut and fully resolved ideas. It’s a stirring example of how an artist can successfully imprint all sides of his personality—from brash to sentimental—onto his music and create something lasting, true, and whole.  Do you want VIBE delivered to your home or office? CLICK HERE.

Article tags: Baby, Body Movin', Common, De La Soul, J Dilla, Jay Dee, Love, Pharoahe Monch, Q-Tip, Stakes Is High, The Light, The Shining 

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http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2006/09/j_dilla_the_shining_bbe/

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