The next edition in the the Dillanthology, Dillanthology 2 – Dilla’s Remixes For Various Artists is here. This time showcasing his skills behind the desk, using other peoples beats.

The first joint to get the Dilla treatment is the De La Soul classic Stakes Is High. Dilla enlists the help of Mos Def and Truth Enola in this completely new makeover of the song. You can still here all the elements that made the original beat a classic, while the introduction of Mos Def and Truth Enola takes it to a place it hasn’t been before. Their verses are some of the strongest on the record, making this track one of standouts and a great way to kick off the album.
De La Soul are in good company on this record, with the next track originally by The Pharcyde, Jay Dee reworks their jam, Y? (Be like that). I feel this remix really encompasses “that Dilla sound”, laidback and subtle loops laced with just the right amount of heat when it’s needed.

Another solid example of this sound is Dilla’s version of the Busta Rhymes classic Whoo Ha. The original version contains a good dose of venom, in the way Busta spits and the beat that goes with it. The remix version is quite laid back when compared it. I feel if someone had played me the vocal track and Dilla’s beat for it separately, I wouldn’t have thought they could work together. I suppose that’s why he’s Dilla and I’m writing this on a broken laptop. The result breathes new air in to the lungs of this track and it takes on a completely different feel. What’s the point of a remix that sounds exactly the same right?

You couldn’t have a record of this nature by Dilla without at least one track featuring The Abstract himself Q-Tip, he guests on the Brand New Heavies track Sometimes. His effortless flows over this extremely soulful beat and hook could not be a better marriage and a beautiful way to round out the album.

Having such an extensive back catalogue, (and if other posthumous releases by hip hop artists are anything to go by). I highly doubt this will be the last release in the Dillanthology, a great thing for hip hop lovers everywhere… long live Jay Dee.