*This boxset is only available to order domestically via media mail and currently not available for export outside the continental United States.
BBE Music presents a special 20th Anniversary edition of one of the most important records in the label’s history: J Dilla’s Welcome 2 Detroit, presented in a deluxe 7” vinyl box set boasting instrumentals, two brand new interpretations by Azymuth and Muro, a stash of previously unreleased alternative mixes and studio outtakes pressed over 12 discs, plus a book revealing the album’s hidden story, told by those who were there.
First issued by BBE Music on Monday 26th of February 2001, Welcome 2 Detroit was James Dewitt Yancey aka Jay Dee’s first solo outing and the debut appearance of his new ‘J Dilla’ moniker (bestowed on him by none other than Busta Rhymes). The album also inaugurated the producer-led Beat Generation album series, which would later spawn classic LPs by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Marley Marl and even will.i.am, all of whom had been inspired to reach for new creative heights by hearing Dilla’s magnum opus.
Choosing to showcase his own voice and the voices of local rap-heroes from across the city instead of big stars, Welcome 2 Detroit marked a coming of age for the then 27 year-old producer, who fully embraced the creative-freedom offered by BBE for his first solo project.
The album would prove to be the perfect distillation of Dilla’s Detroit. From Kraftwerk-inspired Tech Noir that would make Metroplex proud, through subtle echoes from Africa, live jazz-funk and bossa-nova grooves, to tough Midwest boom-bap, this record somehow showed reverence to the city’s past without ever leaving its present. Grimy street flows that somehow swayed like James Brown. Unquantized marvels, so free and alive in their bounce, that they could seduce the hardest of hard-rocks into the sweetest screwface! Diverse, multifaceted, super collaborative and yet somehow singular, Welcome 2 Detroit was the shy and humble James Yancey revealing his true self in the only way he knew how: through his music.
To mark the 20th Anniversary of this momentous record, BBE Music is issuing a specially remastered edition of Welcome 2 Detroit, featuring a stunning new remix of ‘Think Twice’ by Japanese DJ/producer Muro and a stellar cover version of ‘Rico Suave Bossa Nova’ by legendary Brazilian jazz-funk juggernauts Azymuth, plus a stash of newly discovered alternate versions and work-in-progress recordings from the album sessions, lovingly reproduced from priceless cassette tapes recorded by J Dilla himself. An accompanying book by British writer and filmmaker John Vanderpuije offers an oral history of the album’s making, as told by Amp Fiddler, Ma Dukes and all of the album’s key musical contributors.
Tracklist:
Welcome 2 Detroit — The 20th Anniversary Edition Tracklist:
Disc 1
Side A
01. Y’all Ain’t Ready
02. Think Twice (faded)
Side B
01. Y’all Ain’t Ready (Instrumental)
02. Think Twice (Instrumental – faded)
Disc 2
Side C
01. The Clapper feat. Blu
02. Shake It Down
Side D
01. The Clapper (Instrumental)
02. Shake It Down (Instrumental)
Disc 3
Side E
01. Come Get It feat. Elzhi (edit)
Side F
01. Come Get It (Instrumental – edit)
Disc 4
Side G
01. Pause feat Frank ‘n’ Dank
02. B.B.E. – Big Booty Express
Side H
01. Pause (Instrumental)
02. B.B.E. – Big Booty Express (Instrumental)
Disc 5
Side I
01. Beej-N-Dem Pt.2 feat. Beej
Side J
01. Beej-N-Dem Pt.2 (Instrumental)
Disc 6
Side K
01. Brazilian Groove
02. It’s Like That (Edit) feat. Hodge Podge, Lacks
Side L
01. Brazilian Groove EWF (Instrumental)
02. It’s Like That (Instrumental)
Disc 7
Side M
01. Give It Up
Side N
01. Give It Up (Instrumental)
Disc 8
Side O
01. Rico Suave Bossa Nova
Side P
01. Azymuth – Rico Suave Bossa Nova (Vinyl Edit) – Azymuth
Disc 9
Side Q
01. Feat. Phat Kat
Side R
01. Feat. Phat Kat (Instrumental)
Disc 10
Side S
01. African Rhythms
02. One
Side T
01. African Rhythms (Instrumental)
02. One (Instrumental)
Disc 11
Side U
01. It’s Like That (Alternate Version)
02. Beej-N-Dem (og) feat. Beej
Side V
01. African Rhythms (No Drums)
02. Brazilian Groove EWF (No Drums, No Vocal)
03. Give It Up (Acapella)
Disc 12
Side W
01. Think Twice (DJ Muro’s KG Mix)
Side X
01. Think Twice (DJ Muro’s KG Mix Instrumental)
