The connection between J Dilla and Madlib was built upon a stylistic rapport forged over years of sample sharing and beat-swapping. The conversation began with tapes in the post between Detroit, Michigan and Oxnard, California, their respective hometowns.

Both had built reputations for meticulous drum and bassline production. By the time they came together as Jaylib in 2003 they were both clocking in as heavyweights in the hip-hop world.

James Yancey’s mother was an opera singer and his father was a jazz bassist. Otis Jackson’s parents were also musicians. By the time they started producing they were well versed in ways of getting heads bobbing and feet tapping.

Jaylib was the first time they showcased their MCing talents. The Champion Sound LP was comprised of one half Dilla productions with Madlib vocals and the other half vice versa. Dilla’s move to LA brought them closer together and their working relationship bloomed in 2004/2005. All this came to an abrupt halt with Dilla’s death in February 2006 from lupus, three days shy of his 32nd birthday.

Madlib took three years to craft a suitable elegy for his departed friend. The result is a heartfelt tribute of epic proportions. A torrent of ideas flows through 42 tracks in 67 minutes. The nature of his goodbye is a rich meditation on the legacy of his closest musical cohort. Every inch of hip-hop production ground is covered as the narrative segues from one inspired sample to another. The moods mix the solemn and the celebratory in equal measure. The music they loved and shared is the golden thread that stitches the whole thing together. The conversation continues after death. The love runs deep and the beat goes on.