On their 2015 release
Yes!, the membership of
Slum Village features
T3 and
Young RJ, along with
J Dilla's younger brother
Illa J, although here,
Illa is more of a guest artist and "spiritual leader." Songs like "Tear It Down," "Where We Come From," and "Big City" rep the duo's hometown of Detroit while the abstract highlight "Expressive" takes an odd turn into
Digable Planets territory and winds up sounding aces. Nine of the cuts list the late
Dilla as producer or co-producer, plus extended family members like
Jon Connor and
Black Milk fill this fan-aimed album's guest list. ~ David Jeffries