Slum Village: Fan-Tas-Tic Vol.1 (Vinyl 2xLP)

The contributions of the late Detroit producer James DeWitt Yancey - better known to the world as J Dilla - to the world of hip-hop cant be overstated, and nowhere is his legacy more apparent than his work as a member of Slum Village. A founding member of the trio, (alongside rappers T3 and Baatin) Dilla provided the groups distinctly esoteric, free-wheeling sound, built around winding basslines, quirky drumbeats, subtle low-end frequencies, and classic jazz & soul samples. Against the backdrop of Dillas rich production, T3 and Baatins free-flowing style of rhyming would also earn wide critical praise, leading to comparisons as the successors to A Tribe Called Quest. (a label they themselves have rejected.) 

It's on Slum Village's 1997 studio debut, Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1, that all these elements come together in the most proficient manner. An instant hit among Detroit's underground hip-hop scene, the album seemed to combine all the best elements of the reigning alternative and gangsta styles of hip-hop into one cohesive style that was a hit among critics. Fan-Tas-Tic's influence extended far beyond Detroit, as its sound heavily influenced the sounds of DAngelo, Erykah Badu, and The Roots just to name a few. (Roots drummer ?uestlove has even declared that: Hands down this album birthed the neo-soul movement.) 

Every wobbling bass note of J Dilla's production has been preserved and every freestyle line of T3 and Baatin has been re-created, to maintain the legacy of a late-90s rap classic, and the legend of one of hip-hops greatest beatsmiths.

1. Fantastic
2. Keep It On (This Beat)
3. I Don't Know
4. How We Bullshit
5. Fat Cat Song
6. The Look Of Love
7. Estimate
8. Hoc N Pucky
9. Beej N Dem
10. Pregnant (T3)
    
11. Forth & Back (Rock Music)
12. Fantastic 2 (Interlude)
    
13. Fantastic 3 (Interlude)
    
14. Keep It On (Remix)
    
15. 5 Ela (Remix)
16. Give This Nigga
17. Players
18. Look Of Love (Remix)
19. Pregnant (Baatin)
    
20. Things U Do (Remix)
21. Fat Cat (Remix)
22. Fantastic 4 (Interlude)
    
23. What's Love Got To Do With It (Look Of Love Remix)
24. 2 You 4 You