The Shining was the first posthumous album released following J Dilla’s passing. Released on August 22 in 2006, Dilla considered Shining to be only 75 percent finished at the time that he passed on. The argument that others make, however, is that the project was only a step behind the mastering process.
Nonetheless, fellow Detroit native Kariem Riggins finished up the 12-track effort, dropped through BBE Records. Now BBE has collaborated with Berlin-based record store HHV to deliver one Gold Vinyl Edition of the record.
The project itself was pretty iconic on its own, featuring an all-star lineup of appearances from Common, Black Thought, D’Angelo, Madlib, J. Rocc, Dwele, Pharoahe Monch, Busta Rhymes, and Guilty Simpsons. While it didn’t prevail much commercially, its cultural influence resonates without question as it presented the wide ranging and distinctive music that J Dilla was gifted enough to create.
The Gold Vinyl edition is current going for around $30 USD in limited quantities as only 500 copies are available. The Shining is home to tracks that include “Over The Breaks,” “Love Jones,” “So far To Go,” and “Over The Breaks.” Naturally, listeners have a little bit more to look forward to as the new release comes with a 40-page booklet with an introductory essay and interview with Peter Adarkwah, founder of BBE Records.