J Dillas been my favourite since forever. And Pete Rock is class, even now. You have to understand that these producers have had to update their formula, which changes who they are a bit. Look at Premier, he's never going to be as good as he was when he was doing Gang Starr in the 90's... Look at Large Professor, he's still making dope beats, but his peak was back when he was doing Main Source.
I read an interview with PR the other day, where he said he can hardly find any soul samples anymore so he's turning to other genres to sample. Also, he doesn't make as many beats as he used to. He said he made about 15 a day, now 3-5. That's probably a reason for his "down fall"... Personally, I find I make the sickest beats when I take a break. I've been on a break for about a month now, and I know when I pick my MPC back up, I'm going to create some gold. So maybe what he needs is a break, and then he'll hear that shit he can turn in to the next Press Rewind/Deda track...
His brother still brings that soulfulness though. Grap Luva hasn't lost it. And Damu the Fudgemunk, I feel is taking over the reigns from PR.
