Slum Village is a duo from Detroit, Michigan now consisting of T3 & Young RJ. Originally a trio with the late J Dilla & Baatin, their debut Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1 released in the summer of 1997 only to be refurbished and redesigned in Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 2 just 3 years later. Dilla left the group a year later to pursue a solo career and eLZhi filled in for him amid signings to Capitol Records for their next 2 albums Trinity (Past, Present & Future) & Deli Detroit (A Taste of Detroit). After their self-titled full-length series, Dilla & Baatin both passed away, prompting RJ and even Dilla's younger brother Illa J to join what was to be their final offering. Manifesto of the villa. What eventually happened though was that eLZhi left the group due to what he said was a falling out with Young RJ and interestingly Illa J followed suit after Development & Yes!. After nearly a decade though, T3 & RJ are back together for their 9th studio LP.
Brittney Carter's “Welcome” is that atmospheric opener with hi-hats provided by none other than Young RJ welcoming you to a name you've heard and never had the guts to touch, while “All Live” kicks off from there with a funky ass instrumental for SV to get the party started. Phat Kat's “All Live 2” works on some pianos saying they call him Ronnie S. Truman, since he'd buy them all at first, until “To the Disco” takes a more somber route to the beat, continuing to kick it off. & describing themselves as warlords.
Moving forward, the Karriem Riggins co-produced “Yeah Yeah” brings back the funk a bit so the duo can talk about being the bedrock and everyone else getting in line leading up to “Just Like You ” with Larry June works on more disco influences organically, so all 3 MCs tell their significant others that they want to be with them. The rhythmic title track brags that the Detroit cats are at it again, but then “Request” speaks with humor to give what they need.
Cordae joins Slum Village on the mature “So Superb” letting everyone flaunt their superiority, while “Keep Dreaming” featuring Fat Ray is that funky/boom bap crossover that tells everyone to turn on the their minds and realize they are still dreaming. Penultimate track “Factor” speaks soulfully about factoring in all the good times to be had just before “Since 92” ends the album with kicks, snares and piano from Robert Glasper reminding you that they've left it down since 3 decades.
Putting into perspective that it's been 8 whole years since we last heard Slum Village together at full capacity, I thought something had to be done sooner rather than later when they teased us with the singles and even played a halftime show during of a Detroit Pistons game during last season, even though they didn't play their best by any means. Needless to say: It's like they never took a break. They seem very happy to be back in the lab keeping their signature sound alive on occasion with some of their friends in D & co-signing some new blood.
Rating: 7/10
