The Roots Presents: Dilla Joints

One of my favorite hip-hop acts (and few that is currently still going) covering one of my favorite producers, J Dilla, as a RIP tribute. It's very calming and although I don't recognize any of the Dilla samples on it, Questlove is unbelievable at applying his style to other works. Check it out in the comments, and see our How I Got Over post, also released and winning a grammy in 2010.

The Roots - How I Got Over (2010)

1.. Walk Alone (Truck North, Porn, Dice Raw, Mercedes Martinez)
2. Dear God 2.0 (Jim James, MOF)
3. Radio Daze (Blu, Porn, Dice Raw, Mercedes Martinez)
4. Now Or Never (Phonte Coleman, Dice Raw)
5. How I Got Over (Dice Raw)
6. The Day (Blu, Phonte Coleman, Patty Crash)
7. Right On (Joanna Newsom, Sugar Tongue Slim)
8. Doin It Again (John Legend)
9. The Fire (John Legend, Rick Friedrich)

Notice the sampling of the Jim James and Joanna Newsom. This album has unbelievable flow and I just can't get enough of it. It is their most cohesive album to date, and many of the songs can only be described as powerful. I'll say it's the best rap/hip-hop album of the year, since it's now the time of year to make bold music claims like that.

Link in comments

Cody ChesnuTT - The Headphone Masterpiece (2002)

Okay, you know that song "The Seed 2.0" that The Roots released around 2003 or so, one of the most enjoyable dance songs of all time. Anyhow, they ripped that song off this fine lo-fi soul/r&b debut from Cody ChesnuTT, The Headphone Masterpiece. This is his ambitious debut double album, and it has some really nice tracks. As an entire album, it sort of misses the cut when it comes to flow. It has a lot of silly, immature filler and some of the songs just plain stink. But if he had chosen the best 10 tracks and released it as a single disc, it would be phenomenal. Don't let my negative feedback dissuade, this album is an interesting, passionate spin on r&b in the 21st century.

Link is groovin along in the comments.


and save yourself if you never heard "the seed 2.0"