Artist: Slum Village
Album: Villa Manifesto
Release Date: 07.27.10
For emcee T3, Villa Manifesto is Slum Village’s last stand, the last chapter in the book of a group that has experienced a lifetime of tremendous highs and heart wrenching lows.
The Motor City collective has long been touted as a fearless act that captivated listeners with its win-win combination of quirky, attention-hungry lyricism slathered over seamless and soulful production. Who can forget the beam of light that was Fantastic: Vol. 2, an almost flawless project in which T3, J-Dilla, Baatin and several notable guests told the world about the Conant Gardens community, chided so-called “players,” and warned of the perils of falling in love. And you can admit it: you know you couldn’t stop two-stepping when SV — now with the super lyrical Elhzi in the mix — dropped “Tainted” in 2002, which played on like the ultimate pick-up line in musical form.
Still, the group encountered arguably the most distressing setbacks of any collective in music industry. In 2006, Dilla died from complications of a rare blood disease. Last year, in the midst of recording Villa Manifesto, Baatin suddenly passed away, which left T3 as the last man standing from Slum Village’s original trio.
“It was a lot of pressure,” T3 recently told Sound-Savvy during an interview. “I felt like I had to do it. [Villa Manifesto] is a memorial, as well as a reunion album. If I walk away after this, I’m satisfied. We went all out.”
That’s for sure. Take “The Reunion, Pt. 2,” for example, a deep and ominous boom bap in which Baatin reflects on his humble beginnings, rise in popularity and battle with depression. “’99, everything was fine, ‘til I start drinkin’ wine, overseas on my knees, held me Lord, please,” Baatin rhymes. Then there’s T3, who reflects on SV’s recent struggles: “I guess I had a vision to put us all back together, pieces scattered ‘cross the globe. While I’m sittin’ home, El’s on the go doin’ solo shows, where’s ‘Tin, Lord knows.”
After multiple listens to Villa Manifesto, a 46-minute firestorm in which T3 and Elhzi incorporate previously recorded verses from Baatin and Dilla into the project, it feels as if the album was guided by the spirits of the two deceased group members. The album also includes production from Dilla and guest appearances from Posdnuos of De La Soul, Phife from the now-defunct A Tribe Called Quest, and Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh of the recently retired Little Brother.
Passion is the most noticeable characteristic of Villa Manifesto, as every emcee and singer performs their respective art with an intense, gut-wrenching urgency and emotional resolve. Every bar is delivered with ferocity and each beat is grand enough to keep your finger affixed to the rewind button. The piano laced “Scheming,” which features Posdnuos and Phife, is an appropriate affirmation of the album’s contagious quality. Not only does the production grab you upon first listen, but its vibe is warm enough to encourage everything from persistent head nods to full-scale dancing.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the two-part “Don’t Fight the Feeling,” a 7-minute groove featuring Dwele and punctuated by a 4-minute jam session upon the song’s conclusion.
From beginning to end, Villa Manifesto entices and sends SV out with class and dignity. Although the project runs only 40-something minutes, it feels complete, which is a testament to the group’s ability to sequence the music — an often ignored element in album engineering. Each song is just long enough, the guest appearances are well-placed and the finished product is an honorable recording of which Dilla and Baatin would be proud.
“We’ve got a great project, a chance to do some great things, and we’re gonna go with it like that,” T3 told Sound-Savvy during the interview. “I just want to leave on a good note.”
Mission accomplished.
— Marcus J. Moore
Sound-Savvy rates Villa Manifesto with 4.5 out of 5 Platinum Headphones.
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