Instrumental version of Elzhi's Illmatic tribute with all the beats replayed LIVE by Detroit's Will Sessions! Not taking anything away from Elzhi's raps (which are super on-point), but Will Sessions' renditions of these classic beats by Primo, Large Pro, Pete Rock and Q-Tip are just insane and pretty much make the album. The Motor City band has been rocking the live funk for years now (the players are affiliated with Detroit's infamous Funk Night party and record label and have played with everyone from Mayer Hawthorne, Slum village, Black Milk, Phat Kat, etc) and are more than well equipped to rock the funk. On first listen you might even think they are the regular instrumentals, but then the the beat will get extended or flipped and you're like "damn, this is all live!?". DJ Premier himself was even very impressed (see video below)! 10 tracks including "Detroit State of Mind," "Genesis," "One Love," "It Ain't Hard To Tell," "Halftime," etc. plus free download card. Full pic sleeve, pressed on 180g vinyl. Recommended.

• music label: Fat Beats

reviewed by Snackmaster 09/2011