Rapster Records concludes its trilogy of J Dilla’s best tracks with Dillanthology3. Prior volumes focused on his freelance production and his remixes; this one concentrates on his solo work. Set for release on October 13, it should kill speculation by gossipy webheads that the Dillanthology series is an unauthorized cash grab; one of its tracks is “Reality Check,” the standout single from the “Ma Dukes” Yancey-approved Jay Stay Paid.

Also, be on the lookout for a Dilla box set from Rapster; no word yet on whether it will simply compile all three volumes or offer additional material. If it’s the latter, then Jay Dee’s classic “Fuck the Police” needs to be included.

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. J Dilla, “WorkinOnIt”
• 2. Jay Dee, “Pause”
• 3. Jaylib, “Raw Shit”
• 4. J Dilla, “Nothing Like This”
• 5. J Dilla, “Anti-American Graffiti”
• 6. J Dilla, “Glamour Sho75 (09)”
• 7. J Dilla, “Won’t Do”
• 8. J Dilla, “Baby” (feat. Madlib & Guilty Simpson)
• 9. Jaylib, “The Red (instrumental)”
• 10. Jay Dee, “It’s Like That”
• 11. Jay Dee, “Off Ya Chest” (feat. Frank-N-Dank)
• 12. J Dilla, “Crushin’ (Yeeeaah!)”
• 13. J Dilla, “Reality Check” (feat. Black Thought)
• 14. Jay Dee, “Featuring Phat Kat”
• 15. J Dilla, “So Far To Go” (feat. Common & D’Angelo)

On June 22, Rapster/!K7 will issue Dllanthology2: Dilla’s Remixes For Various Artists, its second collection of vintage J Dilla tracks. Some fans criticized the first installment, Dillanthology for having too many familiar cuts. But with relatively obscure Dilla remixes for Masta Ace, Busta Rhymes and Mood, this one should satisfy the Internet rabble. (July 3 update: The release date has been pushed back to July 7.)

• 1. De La Soul, “Stakes Is High (Remix)” (feat. Mos Def & Truth Enola)
• 2. The Pharcyde, “Y? (Be Like That) (Jay Dee Remix)”
• 3. Masta Ace, “Sitting On Chrome (Ummah Remix)”
• 4. Slum Village, “Fall In Love (Remix)”
• 5. Four Tet, “As Serious As Your Life (Jay Dee Remix)”
• 6. Busta Rhymes, “Whoo Ha (Jay Dee Remix)”
• 7. Artifacts, “The Ultimate (Jay Dee Remix)”
• 8. Mood, “Secrets Of The Sand (Remix)”
• 9. Spacek, “Eve (Jay Dee Mix)”
• 10. DJ Cam, “Love Junkie (Jay Dee Remix)”
• 11. Brother Jack McDuff, “Oblighetto (J Dilla Remix)”
• 12. Brand New Heavies, “Sometimes (Remix)”

Philly rapper/producer Lushlife has a new album coming out via !K7 subsidiary Rapster. Set for release on June 23, Cassette City features contributions from Camp Lo, Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and Ariel Pink, of all people. While not as well known here as overseas, Lushlife may ring some bells — in 2005 he issued West Sounds, a popular mashup of Kanye West’s The College Dropout with the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. (June 19 update: The release date has been pushed back to July 7.)

Here’s some bio action:

Lushlife’s sizeable musical reach is as much a by-product of the lessons learned train-wrecking beats for eager audiences, as it is a result of a strict and formal musical education. He has 13 years of classical piano training, having studied from the age of 5, along with an intense 7 year course in jazz kit drumming. Along the way he’s arranged for jazz combos and performed on street-corners, at Manhattan’s prestigious Steinway Hall, and everywhere in between. Lush went on to study music at university, where after a year spent crestfallen, he finally got out of bed to compose music through the lens of his diverse musical background.

After garnering attention, and millions of downloads, for his Dangermouse-esque mash-up of Kanye West’s The College Dropout with the Beach Boys’ seminal Pet Sounds, and doing remixes for heavy-hitters like Slum Village, Lush dropped his debut LP, Order of Operations, in early 2006. The album, Lushlife’s testament to a decade-plus love affair with hip-hop, was a critical smash. With only a cadre of boutique indie labels behind the release, Order of Operations still managed to move thousands of units worldwide, and even reached number six on the Japanese hip-hop/r&b charts.

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. “Innocence”
• 2. “Daylight Into Me”
• 3. “The Kindness”
• 4. “Meridian Sound (Part One)”
• 5. “Another World For Paradise” (feat. Camp Lo)
• 6. “Until The Sun Dies”
• 7. “The Songbird Athletic” (feat. Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend)
• 8. “Meridian Sound (Part Two)”
• 9. “In Soft Focus” (feat. Ariel Pink)
• 10. “The Fall Of The Light Brigade”
• 11. “Innocence Reprise”
• 12. “Bottle Rocket”
• 13. “Meridian Sound (Part Three)”

Jadakiss, “Can’t Stop Me” (Lushlife Dub Deck Mix)

On March 31, !K7 imprint Rapster Records will kick off Dillanthology, a series of compilations dedicated to the late James “J Dilla” Yancey’s work. The first installment will focus on his production for other artists, and include classic singles such as the Pharcyde’s “Runnin’” and De La Soul’s “Stakes Is High.”

“In his brief 32 years J-Dilla, otherwise known as Jay-Dee created and shaped a new sound for Hip-Hop that inspired beat smiths, MCs and music lovers around the globe,” reads the press material for the album. “In this first Volume of the Dillanthology tribute series we focus on some of his classic productions for artists including Busta Rhymes, The Pharcyde, Erykah Badu, Slum Village, The Roots and Common.

“This is the first in a series of planned albums focusing on different aspects of the illustrious producer’s career and should be seen as a tribute to his memory and spirit. In the coming months, look for separate volumes for both his remix work and production on his own projects.”

• 1. The Pharcyde, “Runnin’”
• 2. Slum Village, “Fall In Love”
• 3. Common, “The Light”
• 4. Erykah Badu, “Didn’t Cha Know”
• 5. De La Soul, “Stakes Is High”
• 6. Busta Rhymes, “Show Me What You Got”
• 7. The Roots, “Dynamite”
• 8. A.G., “Hip Hop Quotable” (feat. Aloe Blacc)
• 9. The Pharcyde, “Drop”
• 10. Amp Fiddler, “You Play Me”
• 11. Steve Spacek, “Dollar”
• 12. Chino XL, “Don’t Say A Word”
• 13. Frank N Dank, “Okay”