Search - J Dilla :: Shining

Highs and lows

C. W. Hall | Atlanta, GA USA | 01/26/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Shining presents me with a dilemma. It's a good record, it's Dilla, and it releases just a few short months after his death. Most reviewers will opt to praise Dilla's legacy as much as this particular album. It's sort of like when actors get Oscars for the movie after the one you know they really should have won for.



This album is good, but it's not as good as people will tell you it is. One of our editors said that you could tell which songs were going to be good on The Shining by looking at the list of guest vocalists. He's right. There are songs with Common, Pharoahe Monch, Madlib, D'Angelo, and Dwele. You expect Dilla to work well with those artists and create memorable songs and he does.



Common's guest spots bookend the best stretch of this album, a five song span that starts with "E=MC2" and ends with "So Far to Go" where D'Angelo joins the party as well. For these five songs ("E=MC2", "Love Jones", "Love", "Baby", "So Far to Go"), Dilla is making simply beautiful music. The vocalists provide perfect accompaniment and there is absolutely nothing lacking. It's love music, which is always what Dilla made best. Hip-hop music that made your insides feel good.



Quick bits on some of the other noteworthy songs. Dwele appears on "Dime" and the pairing works well. "Jungle Love" is a head nod special. Straight forward, simple beat, that is perhaps as hard as anything you will hear. Perfect fodder for riding around with your boys and looking hardcore in an underground sort of way.



There is really exceptional music on The Shining. There are songs on this album that showcase Dilla at the heights of his power. It's not as good as people will tell you it is, but it's still damn good."

Hip Hop produced with extra attention to detail

N. Johnson | Oakland, CA | 02/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is fantastic. The first track is awful, as many have mentioned, but most of the rest is top notch and seamlessly blended. "The Shining" satisfies the desire to hear unique, lovingly produced Dilla beats on an album that is more approachable than his other solo work. Unlike "Donuts", which is great in it's own right but too weird for most occasions, you can put on "The Shining" at a party - starting on track #2 - and let it play.



The Shining is a perfect introduction to J Dilla for people with various musical tastes. Plus there are wonderful guest appearances by Common, D'Angelo and Pharoahe Monch. See for yourself by sampling tracks 4 and 6."