Most notably, Pharcyde released the infinitely nostalgic, Runnin', a motivational anthem that seems to never grow old even though you've heard it over five hundred times. One might owe this replay value to Pharcyde's smooth soul crooning interlaced with captivating tales of trying to find some self respect after being bullied on the basketball courts. Everyone can connect with the sentiment of "can't keep runnin' away" from something or other. Although it's hard to imagine the real potency of this track without the hypnotic drums, the chopped up echo "Run," and rhythmic saxophone brought to you by the mesmerizing production of the late J Dilla.
Dilla found the perfect instrumental combinations to match the cadence of Pharcyde's melodic flow - Stan Getz's saxophone and Luiz Bonfa's guitar. Aided by the strings and compositions of Bonfa, Getz released the Bossa Nova classic, Jazz Samba Encore! in 1963. While listening to Saudade Vem Correndo, one feels the serene vigor of Getz's sax channeling the oceanic Brazilian breeze and then the throbbing sax right before the soothing vocals of Maria Toledo. Bonfa draws the sweaty equanimity of the track together with his wistful guitar plucking, reaching towards its rising zenith between 2:04 - 2:09.
I am absolutely amazed at Dilla's ability to take such small musical elements and turn them into the most memorable sounds (that blood rushing beginning!) as well as the entrancing momentum of Runnin'. Jdilla shows once again why sampling is a serious art form that both layers history and reconfigures new music.
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