The posthumous releases of late great Detroit producer J Dilla have varied from satisfying to utterly disappointing. Few know Dilla’s work better than his younger brother Illa J and frequent collaborator Frank Nitt. Together they are The Yancey Boys, and their upcoming album Sunset Blvd will consist of Dilla beats taken from a collection of records and tapes of his recently discovered by a record store owner. After hearing their new single “Quicksand”, it sounds like they are taking great care of what they have chosen.
It feels good to hear some well spit rhymes over a Dilla beat again, especially from Common. Together they created a classic album in Like Water for Chocolate, and he sounds right at home on this one. The three emcees reflect on their careers over Dilla’s smooth guitar loop and signature neck-snapping drums, while singer Dezi Paige provides a velvety hook. Sunset Blvd is set to drop later this fall via Delicious Vinyl and will also feature T3 of Slum Village, SlimKid3 of The Pharcyde and Posdnuos of De La Soul.