DJ Babu

DJ Babu is best known as a DJ for underground stalwarts Dilated Peoples and as a member of the Beat Junkies, but the man born Chris Oroc happens to be a talented producer as well. Vol. 2 follows Babu's 2007 Beat Tape with 39 tracks of head-nodding instrumentals. If you're familiar with Babu's work for Dilated or his Duck Season compilations, you know what you're in for: finely chopped samples, knocking drums and plenty of amusing found sounds to break up the beats. The beats run the gamut from Donuts-esque soul chops like "Mr. Lone Lee" to space age gangsta boogie on "Ghost Romper Room" and pseudo-baroque electronics on the self-explanatory "Elec Trick Sim Phonie." That many tracks can feel arduous even with the sonic variety on offer, but there are enough highlights to make Vol. 2 an easy recommendation to any instrumental head. This is true B-boy comfort food.