James Yancey, popularly known as J. Dilla is hands down one of the best producers to ever grace the force of Hip Hop and accolades bestowed upon him before his tragic death in February 2006. There have been many mixtapes, parties, memorials in his remembrance to make sure that his work continues to live on and bless the ears of those that listen.

The compilation is as sonically far-reaching as it is classic, ranging from the jazzy cool of The Roots’ “Dynamite” to the sultry, Latin feel of Erykah Badu’s “Didn’t Cha Know” to the futuristic squelches of A.G.’s “Hip Hop Quotable.” Above all, though, Jay Dee made his impression on hip-hop with his inimitable take on the souled-out side of hip-hop; the side that compelled you to lie on the couch and just…listen.

From his forming of Slum Village at age 14 to the posthumously released beats of today, Yancey’s productions on albums such as Donuts, The Shining, and Welcome 2 Detroit have moved heads the world over for years. The depth of Dilla’s legacy, both with his own group and for others, is incomparable. Throughout his career, the producer has worked with nearly every major emcee in hip-hop, including Common, The Roots, De La Soul and The Pharcyde, and it’s this work for other emcees that gets the treatment on Dillanthology Volume 1.

Dillanthology Vol. 1 is the first in a series of planned albums focusing on different aspects of the illustrious producer’s career. In the coming months, look for separate volumes for both his remix work and production on his own projects.

Dillanthology Volume 1 is available now.

WE MISS YOU DILLA!!!