This album was released 3 days before J Dilla’s death in 2006, with most of the tracks recorded mostly or completely in his hospital room. If that doesn’t give you chills, I don’t know what will. As Tidal wrote on the album’s 10 year anniversary:

“Armed with a Boss SP-303 sampler and a portable 45 rpm record player, brought to him by friends from respected indie label Stones Throw, Dilla would produce 29 of the album’s 31 tracks in the hospital, leaving behind a lingering parting gift that keeps on giving today.”

It’s 31 songs over 43 minutes, and I don’t see a reason to pick favorite songs here. It’s an amazing work start to finish, and I think it’s best appreciated all together. I still have goosebumps from listening to the whole thing.

Jams

“Workinonit”
“The Diff’rence”
“Anti-American Graffiti”

Originally part of How Do People Find New Music These Days?.