Mixtape Monday, Part 2: The Dilla Day Edition [All J Dilla Tribute Mixes]
Friday, February 7th was Dilla Day --the birthday of James Dewitt Yancey. Today, Friday February 10th, we remember J Dilla's passing in 2006, just a few days after his 32nd birthday. There's no better way to remember Dilla than with BEATS, so as we keep in mind the life and immeasurable body of work put forth by that percussive patriarch, here's a good ole round-up of the best tributes to hit the inter-waves in commemoration of that man's legacy over the years. A few we've had a hand in, a few are from friends and collaborators and a few are far from far-flung corners of the globe; we've got nods from the states, the UK and even Italy, begging the question; is there a corner of this world that hasn't been penetrated by the deep swinging soul of James Yancey? We think not. Click through as we bring you the cream of the commemorative crop with the best tribute mixes from Questlove, House Shoes, J Rocc, DJ Soul, Benji B, Ally Al, Mister Cee & more in this week's Jay Dee edition of Mixtape Monday--there should be enough uncut donuts in here to keep you powdered up right up until the 16th, when DJ Jazzy Jeff steps up to the decks at DAF8. But if not, we've got some more heavy Dilla tributes coming in the next day or two.
First up on our international tour of tribute mixes is one by Italy's Jolly Mare, brought to us via Red Bull's offices out across the pond. Its one for the cratedigger in all of us, as it includes cuts from some of the world's most coveted records. Standouts on this ill mix include a couple of Jay Dee's finest samples in Gap Mangione Trio's "Diana In The Autumn Wind" --the marble from which "Fall In Love" was sculpted-- and Sylvia Robinson's "Sweet Stuff"-- the ill guitar chop from "Crushin."
via RB Italy
This next one is a classic. Act 3 of J Rocc's 4 part Dilla tribute mix is not one to disappoint. J Rocc's series is actually one of the most impressive long-form tributes that may have ever been crafted. Standouts on this cut include an early one from Jay Dee with his remix of Keith(f) Murray's "The Rhyme" and one of Dilla's best --and only-- De La Soul remixes with his take on "Stakes Is High".
Taking Dilla's --and really any feeling human being's--fascination with Mangione's "Diana In The Autumn Wind" a bit further, Ally Al steps in with Dilla In The Autumn Wind; a dope exploration of what the master --in all forms--and all of his disciples have done with that haunting refrain from Gap's most illusive record.
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This one's a mix y'all should be endlessly familiar with at this point. Its the OKP dedication to that illustrious legacy, mixed to perfection by DJ Soul. Mash-ups and reworks galore, catch some of your favorite classics rehashed over some of Dilla's finest. Donuts for days.
This one here comes in the form of an hour-long live set by the one and only ?uestlove, spinning 60 minutes of all Dilla and Dilla-inspired funk live on BoilerRoom TV (we were on hand to see this go down live in LES: a night to remember).It's no secret how influential Jay Dee was on this man's chops and philosophy, as a self-proclaimed Dilla fanatica. Rock with one of the greatest as he pays tribute to his dear friend's life and work below. Rare cuts and never heard tracks intact, this one's a classic. More from the torch-holder in bit.
What would this round-up be without a nod to Benji B's titanic live Dilla tribute from his BBC1 Xtra program, which aired just a week after his untimely passing, comprised of a dulcet mix of Jaylib, Slum Village and some of Dilla's unheards. A fine mix indeed for those who want to feel that weight.
Benji B BBC 1Xtra J Dilla Tribute Show (February 2006) by Benji B on Mixcloud
We told ya there'd be more from the big man --as if it were even possible to keep ?uestlove off the horn about Jay Dee-- and now we're serving up another one of his 60 minute Dilla nods, this time from his mid-day romp on Mister Cee's Black Fist Fridays a few years back. Another hour of brilliance from the selector to keep your head bopping through the Monday grind and beyond. You can peep some words he had for XXL on the mastery and GOAT status of Dilla right here.
How could this round-up be complete without a look from Dilla's longtime crony House Shoes? Originally released in 2009, The King James Version is one of the most comprehensive accounts of Dilla's sampling legacy --literally treating it as the gospel-- that exists in the endless pool of derivation that the Detroit king has incited. Stream it below or cop the double LP on vinyl.
Remember that time Hot 97's Mister Cee spun a whole hour-long set of Dilla compositions on commercial radio? Nothing but Jay Dee, Ummah and Soulquarian flavor for you on this one folks. So if you missed it that first time around, we've got the whole damn thing below for your Monday fix.
And finally, certainly not least, we have the most notorious Dilla set on the web. None other than Jay Dee's appearance in the flesh on Gilles Peterson's World Wide from 2001, where he spins tracks from Welcome To Detroit and speaks on its conception, not to mentionanswers some inquiries from Gilles pertaining to his work with Common, Q-Tip, Erykah and other neo-soul luminaries. Its not often we get the opportunity to see into the mind of this great doer, and what better way to get the week jumping? Tune in below and be sure to rock this all week as we'll be keeping up the Dilla funk for all of Dilla month.