User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

The Shining
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Shining Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

  • Summary: This posthumous release--the late James Yancey's third solo album--was near completion at the time of his February 2006 death. Unlike 'Donuts,' this disc (featuring appearances by Madlib, Busta Rhymes and Common) is largely based on live instrumentation rather than samples.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. NOW Magazine
    100
    Pretty much every track is a head-turner.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Though bittersweet, the CD lives up to its mastermind's lofty legacy. [25 Aug 2006, p.87]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. The A.V. Club
    83
    The Shining's biggest flaw is that it feels awfully slight, thanks to a run time of less than 37 minutes.
  4. AllMusic
    80
    Though it's disjointed, a little bumpy, and -- in places -- perceptibly unfinished-sounding, The Shining is a very worthy addition to Dilla's discography.
  5. cokemachineglow
    71
    The Shining is not a masterpiece, obviously, and nobody ought claim it as such, but it does show the producer striking out in a moderately novel direction and finding consistently satisfying results.
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    [A] dark, magnetic opus. [24 Aug 2006, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Filter
    66
    For the most part, Jay Dee sounds like The Shining's administrator, rather than its sole (and soul) creator. [#22, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. SamD
    Oct 28, 2006
    10
    I first heard of J Dilla a few weeks ago, months after he died. I heard a strange noise outside my room. I came out and there were my four I first heard of J Dilla a few weeks ago, months after he died. I heard a strange noise outside my room. I came out and there were my four buds sitting around a stereo listening to Shining's opener Geek Down, stoned out of their minds, completely silent, with big grins on their faces. This is an amazing record. I wondered why Busta doesn't rhyme on the aformentioned opener; I later read that Dilla told him not to, he just wanted someone to 'Geek the **** out.' RIP Dilla, this is some amazing music.… Collapse
  2. JJKahn
    Aug 21, 2006
    10
    This is an absolutely fantastic album from Dilla.
  4. DERRICKJ
    Oct 6, 2006
    9
    The J-Dilla last Cd is like scraping the bottom of the bowl of your favorite ice cream, first with a spoon, then then your finger, and last The J-Dilla last Cd is like scraping the bottom of the bowl of your favorite ice cream, first with a spoon, then then your finger, and last you are licking the bowl, it tastes devine but you know there no more in the ice box.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best Album of 2006

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To - Knocked Loose
92 Ten Fold - Yaya Bey
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
91 Funeral for Justice - Mdou Moctar
90 Spell Blanket: Collected Demos 2006-2009 - Broadcast
90 Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
All Current Music »