It's been a good run for record label Stones Throw. With record producer Madlib releasing a seemingly neverending streak of otherwise undiscoverable breaks, and news from fellow canklesandwaffler/talented MC/Stones Throw marketing intern ohgeeyah feedin me happs, the Stones Throw family is becoming more and more of a positive role model than a record label. That said, let it be known that I'm proud to be representing hiphop in an area blessed with their music.
Stones Throw has changed my feelings about music. With up and coming artists like Aloe Blacc (of Emanon) and Madlib to resident legends like Peanut Butter Wolf, Stones Throw has created a monster of a hiphop crew, dedicated to bringing the good shit.
We've all heard that J-Dilla/Jay Dee has passed away. Let me first stress my sympathy and condolences to his family and friends in this emotional time before going on with this review.
Rest in peace. February 7 1974 - February 10 2006.
It was not my intention to do this review on dilla based on his passing, let it be known that I had previously written up an informal draft of this review that has been purged and recrafted to suit the present conditions. I had actually copped a sampler of this a while back and was absolutely stunned by the selection of music in which it held. As with any Stones Throw release, it showed me that hiphop is evolving... Not into a gangster or baller ridden plague, but something that can be enjoyed by all, respectively, based on things other than lyrical talent. This concept is upheld by J-dilla in its essence, perfectly, with absolutely no exceptions made.
Funk, Soul, Jazz, R&B, and even Classical are represented on Donuts with a twist of a somewhat modern yet old school pimp slap. This is the type of mix ohgeeyah talks about, completely out of context, after his third beer. This is the type of music you want to share with your elders... your significant other, and your friends because after listening thoroughly to this, even after only one time, you feel connected to its creator.
People like myself may listen to this compilation in disbelief. Speaking from the heart, it took me almost a week and a half to fathom dilla's death while this music spoke to me. Take a brief second and imagine your favorite CD of all time... Think about how you dwell on the songs: the production, the sound, the lyrics, think about how you dream of creating something as equally and beautifully as brilliant, think about how many people like you the songs on it have reached... and then imagine that artists suffering, painfully producing positivity and love through smooth peaceful music, all while slowly peering over the edge of life all the while. It saddens me... as I reflect and listen to Donuts, thinking about the possibilities of this man.
I've sincerely enjoyed Donuts, as I hope you have. I struggle reviewing this without mentioning how J-Dilla speaks on through his production. I also struggle with facing this simple fact of life... And it's not only as a stubborn and educationally ignorant music critic, but also as a fan, and firm believer in the Stones Throw family. I look at Stones Throws accomplishments as my own as I've developed as a person all while watching them grow as well.
J-Dilla you'll be missed. Your music lives on and I can't wait to hear from you on your unreleased work. We shall forever believe in your message, and will do our best to represent what you, as well as your label mates, have shown us.
Thank you Stones Throw and J-Dilla for bringing us crate diggers something to believe in other than blingy materialistic garbage. We appreciate your efforts and positive message.
All images courtesy Stones Throw.
Bronze Nazareth's The Great Migration rings old bells of glory. Loud at times and even louder others. It's been awhile since Killarmy and the Gravediggaz were standing as proud sprouts of the original swagger generals. Since then nothing and nobody from the Wu has really taken the initiative to build past what history's already seen done. Bronze has. Production credits on the Wu Tang Think Differently "Wu Tang Meets Indie" project signaled something new, bold and raw. From bottom to top the beats are never less than knocking. I'm talking about "in the heat of the moment" bed rocking, knocking. Although the content of the Wu, especially now a days remains hit or miss for many, Bronze keeps it remotely close to hitting. Guest spots from Wu affiliates Timbo King, Killa Sin (!!!) 12 O'Clock and Prodigal Sunn keep the LP tightly woven in styling. All around this is a solid pickup if you see it sitting in Amoeba's used lots. Migration has begun I can happily conclude that the Wu is still reinventing the gritty. 
