Sophia Hill
Muro applies soulful breaks and a funky twist to Dilla’s previously unreleased outtake. The original spirit of Jay Dee’s legacy remains intact and alive as the Japanese artist creates an easy-going rendition of the track. Listen Below.
February 5 2021 will mark 20 years since the release of J Dilla’s lauded album Welcome 2 Detroit. To mark the anniversary BBE Music has announced a reissue in the form of a 12-disc 7” box set. DJ Muro, known for his excavation of old records, adds his own jazzy touch to a remix of ‘Think Twice’, which has been shared ahead of the release, and will be included in the set.
The label will also be sharing another unreleased outtake from the album (mixed by Azymuth), alternative mixes, and a book written by British author and filmmaker John Vanderpuije – providing an oral account of the album’s creation.
J Dilla made his name in the 90s working alongside De La Soul, Pharcyde, Busta Rhymes, and as a member of Ummah - Tribe Called Quest’s production collective. In 1998 Dilla opened for Tribe as a part of hip hop trio Slum Village (alongside T3 and Baatin), and soon after announced their debut album Fantastic, Vol. 2.
Going into the 2000s Dilla continued to create waves beyond the boundaries of Detroit, with features on Common’s breakthrough ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ and D’Angelo’s R&B classic ‘Voodoo’. As a producer he was generating tracks for the likes of Janet Jackson, Macy Gray, Mos Def, and Erykah Badu. In the months preceding his death in 2006 (the result of a rare blood disease) Dilla persevered with his music. An instrumental solo Donuts appeared which was written and recorded while he was in hospital.