For this review I am going to start off with a quick summary of each track, followed by an overall album summary.
GEEK DOWN (ft. Busta Rhymes) - On paper, another Dilla/Busta collaboration sounds like it would HAVE to be classic. Alas, Busta Bus leaves nothing to the imagination here - screaming out, cussing every second word and not spitting any verses. The beat is quite interesting though; another great example of Dilla's experimental foray later in his career.
E=MC2 (ft. Common) - Here we go, the proper intro. Beat is addictive as hell, and brings back memories of the good ol' days with a nod to George Clinton's "Atomic Dog". Com also sounds more inspired than he has in years on this track.
Love Jones - An all-too-short instrumental piece.
Love (ft. Pharoahe Monch) - More excellence, with a terrific beat that represents Dilla's soulful side and great MCing/singing by the one and only Pharoahe Monch.
BABY (ft. Madlib & Guilty Simpson) - Good, but with a beat produced by BOTH Dilla and Madlib this should have been better in my opinion. Still, some nice bars are dropped by Dilla's close friend Guilty Simpson and this is one of only two tracks on the album where we get to hear Dilla on the mic; he's not a God in this area but he does better than most of these Soulja Boy-esque MCs.
SO FAR TO GO (ft. Common & D'Angelo) - This could have been better too. Com doesn't sound as inspired on this as he did earlier on, although his verbals on this sure beat the version with alternative lyrics on his "Finding Forever" album. Excellent beat as always (a revamped "Bye" from Dilla's "Donuts") and D'Angelo comes correct with his vocals and some piano towards the end.
JUNGLE LOVE (ft. MED & Guilty Simpson) - Minimal but HARD beat on this one. The guest vocals are OK, but nothing to really write home about.
OVER THE BREAKS - Nice instrumental; a good break (no pun intended) from the vocals as they are kinda starting to annoy me. Co-produced by Karriem Riggins.
BODY MOVIN' (ft. J Rocc & Karriem Riggins) - Another instrumental that leads on from "Over The Breaks". Pretty sweet too. Cuts by J Rocc and music by Dilla and Riggins.
DIME PIECE RMX (ft. Dwele) - A softer R&B song with singer Dwele. This one represents Dilla's style in producing neo-soul music, and therefore a definate worthwhile inclusion.
LOVE MOVIN' (ft. Black Thought) - Dope. More minimalist-hard shit with excellent verbals by BT.
WON'T DO - The single, the track which features Dilla alone on vocals. Excellent flipping of two samples (Archie and an Isley Brothers song, the title of which escapes me). Makes you really miss the talent that this guy had really.
OVERALL
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This album was pretty tight, but too goddamn short! Jesus, it's shorter than Donuts! A worthwhile purchase? Yes, if you've got some spare money hanging around, but I wouldn't save up $20+ for 36 minutes no matter how dope those 36 minutes are. Despite the length however, there is a lot of quality music on offer here, and only the Busta joint REALLY dissapoints.
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