RJD2 “Deadringer” (Best of the Decade)
In 2002 RJD2 released his debut LP on Def Jux, and in doing so presented the world with a whole new species of hip hop. If DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing introduced society to the possibility of sample based hip hop, Deadringer ripped open the genre’s limitless potential. Mixing elements of soul, funk, psychedelia and techno, RJD2 created vast soundscapes of crafty (if not unusual) instrumentals throughout the album. Tracks like “Smoke and Mirrors” and “2 More Dead” bring a bluesy melancholy to the record while “Good Times Roll Pt. 2″ and “Ghostwriter” have enough funky rhythms to get a party moving. “Final Frontier” brings Blueprint into the mix and shows that while RJD2 can craft some arty solo jams, he is also quite adept at taking the backseat to an MC. The two would go on to form powerhouse duo Soul Position, but for my money they have never sounded better than did on “Frontier.” Deadringer also has its share of the bizarre, like offbeat instrumentals “Cut Out to FL” and “The Proxy.” The peculiarities don’t always make for the easiest listen, but with time the album comes together as a cohesive and rewarding experience. RJD2 hasn’t been able to match his debut since, and I am not sure that he will ever be able to.
Such a great record. And agreed about “Frontier”; Soul Position has never been as good as that one tune.
I recently mashed up “Ghostwriter” with Kanye West’s “Two Words.” You might want to check it:
http://mcfierce.tumblr.com/post/135950515/mashup-of-the-week-mos-def-kanye-west-freeway
Thanks Steve, will definitely check out that mashup when I get home
I dig some of the stuff RJD2 did on his last album… er… the instrumental version of his last album. Had some sick b-sides too… at least the guy’s still tryin’
Arguably one of my top 10 albums of all-time. RJ is a monster on the beats. I definitely agree with you Jon, The best track that Rjd2 & Blueprint ever did together was “Final Frontier”.