“Lightworks” by J Dilla from the album “Donuts”
I listen to a lot of instrumental hip-hop. J Dilla is a big reason why. The song “Lightworks,” from the album “Donuts,” is what Dilla was working on until his untimely death.
“Lightworks” was a standout track the first time I heard it. The song was unique because musically, it sounded like it could be a foundation as a hip-hop beat or live on its own as an instrumental track. At first the song was a mystery to me. The lyrics didn’t make sense, but the sound quality of the samples dated the song to a time period that doesn’t lend itself to incomprehensible lyrics.
After looking into it, I found out that the song samples heavily from the electronic music pioneer and “Looney Tunes” composer Raymond Scott. You could argue that the amount of sampling detracts from the song, but to me it’s just a testament to J Dilla as a producer. The best samples aren’t necessarily obvious nor are they completely hidden — the best samples just work.
I can’t think of another Raymond Scott sample that works as well as that in “Lightworks,” and he’s been sampled quite a few times. The song flawlessly combines a retro feel with modern aesthetics. “Lightworks” is also well planned, yet inspired and impromptu. The beat is intentionally flawed because it samples a song that sounds like it’s from an ad for space-themed candy in the 50s, but it doesn’t ever dip into ironic territory. J Dilla knew what he was doing, and that’s why “Lightworks” is my favorite song ever, this week.
