Slum Village | Fantastic Vol. II | On Vinyl

Record label: Good Vibes Records
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Slum Village released the groundbreaking album Fantastic, Vol. 2 in June of 2000, and since then, no other lo-fi hip hop album has been able to top this masterpiece. This record is some of producer J Dilla’s best work, and any fan of him who hasn’t listened to this record is missing out.

The track “Fall-N-Love,” was later sampled in Flying Lotus’ song, creatively titled, “Fall In Love.” Rappers Pete Rock, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Kurupt, and Common are all featured on this record, contributing verses on tracks like “Hold Tighhht,” and “Forth And Back.”

The track “Tell Me,” shows how the complex treatment of the soft R&B vocals provided by D’Angelo, muted keys, and crisp beats could come together in creating a sensual hip hop track that toes the line between soul and R&B.

The sharp and ever-shifting beats are thrown into relief when listening to this record on vinyl. J Dilla’s mastery is brought to the forefront; each crackle, snare, snap, and bass throb sounds intentional—showcasing the immense effort put into the production. This record on vinyl immortalizes one of the greatest works of hip hop history and serves as a tribute to J Dilla, who passed away in 2006, and rapper Baatin, who passed away in 2009.