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Donuts
by
Donuts Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 111 Ratings

  • Summary: Acclaimed hip-hop producer James Yancey released this instrumental disc shortly before his death at the age of 32.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Dusted Magazine
    90
    A schizophrenic palate of honeyed soul, downbeat electrix, timeless hip hop and bare-knuckle beats, these 31 tracks (spread over 44 minutes) are packed with triple the hooks – and suffer from attention deficit disorder (to the listener’s benefit).
  2. Prefix Magazine
    90
    Donuts is a big black pot of sonics, comparable only to Madlib's 2002 effort, Blunted in the Bombshelter, the difference being that this is all original material.
  3. PopMatters
    90
    Donuts is hip-hop, then, like “Howl” is poetry or Guernica is painting: the best aspects of a particular style, developed to their fullest and executed masterfully.
  4. Lost At Sea
    80
    Be forewarned: Donuts can be a frustrating tease when the average instrumental clocks in around the one-minute mark. But for those who hold a true appreciation for Dilla and his avoidance of predictable sounds and mainstream beats, Donuts will sound right on track.
  5. Urb
    80
    Experiencing multitudes of brief bangers is a rare treat. [Mar 2006, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Pitchfork
    79
    The end result is akin to Norman Smith and DJ Shadow sitting in on a RZA-produced session-- spry, voiceless prog-hop by any other name.
  7. Q Magazine
    70
    Even if... it never quite adds up to more than the sum of its parts, it's never less than a pleasure to listen to. [Apr 2006, p.119]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 46
  3. Negative: 3 out of 46
  1. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    10
    This is simply amazing. I don't usually listen to this kind of music but I've learned to appreciate greatness no matter in what form it comesThis is simply amazing. I don't usually listen to this kind of music but I've learned to appreciate greatness no matter in what form it comes in and this is certainly a great album I've listened to over and over countless times.… Expand
  2. VincentH
    Mar 20, 2007
    10
    Infinitely beautiful and rewarding...and I'm only talking about "Two Can Win", probably the most exciting and amazing song on this album Infinitely beautiful and rewarding...and I'm only talking about "Two Can Win", probably the most exciting and amazing song on this album (there are 30 others!!). I regret that I was so late to the game (I've been a Dilla fan for 5+ years now, but I just copped this album a week ago), but I am so glad I picked it up. It's honestly as good as everyone says...seriously...it's that good. The last album that made me shed a tear was the final Elliott Smith, and I didn't think any kind of music could affect me like that again. Parts of the album were recorded by Dilla when he was on a hospital bed, sick from an incurable disease, which makes the record all that more poignant. It's hands-down the most emotional, honest, and straght-up dopest hip hop release of 2006 by far. As other reviewers have said, Dilla seemed here like he was almost inventing new ways of sampling and new ways of looking at beat production, which makes the record even more sad in a way. The man probably hadn't even made his masterpiece yet...but this is it.… Expand
  4. maxk
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    r.i.p. dilla donuts will melt in my deck
  5. Destroyyyyer
    Jan 22, 2020
    10
    One of the best hip-hop instrumental albums out there, still don't think theres a producer thats top anything Dilla's done, RIP
  6. JGwiz
    Jun 4, 2006
    9
    A very strong album which will be sampled and looped for years to come. Some of the tracks, like Mash, Two can win, Don't Cry, A very strong album which will be sampled and looped for years to come. Some of the tracks, like Mash, Two can win, Don't Cry, gobstoppers, and more are all fresh, creative, and genius. A pure hip-hop gold mine for any producers that can sample, too.… Expand
  7. GHarrison
    Dec 24, 2017
    9
    A unique, refreshing listen which for an album with so many tracks remains consistent enough to retain a holistic feel but is much more aboutA unique, refreshing listen which for an album with so many tracks remains consistent enough to retain a holistic feel but is much more about its great moments than it is about its flow.… Expand
  8. JahiD
    Apr 10, 2006
    0
    There is nothing worse than when people give in to sentimentality. This album alludes to good ideas but never applies them fully, the end There is nothing worse than when people give in to sentimentality. This album alludes to good ideas but never applies them fully, the end result being a collection of forced and contrived themes. The production and composition of the album occasionally reveal brilliance, but the end result is a repetitive jumble of loops and samples (how many times do we have to hear that … Expand

See all 46 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2006
60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2006
28
#28 Most Shared Album of 2006

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