Tue 21 Mar 2006
Madlib released the first volume of his Beat Konducta series on Stones Throw awhile back. It was vinyl only, and consisted of about 16 1-2minute beat studies. Concurrently with the vinyl only Vol. 2, Stones Throw is collecting both on CD. It’s a fascinating listen, as he envisions it something like a library record, with each of the 35 total tracks labeled with potential moods to back movie scenes (Movie Scenes is the subtitle for the release). It works best as a whole, though, much like his late fellow labelmate Dilla’s Donuts album. There is a wide variety of sounds here, but they all have a strong soul current running through them. It’s ultra lo-fi, as well, Madlib letting the vinyl source really shine through. “The Rock” is an example of Madlib’s mad chopping skills. Beginning with a sample recognizable to Rjd2 fans, the drums on this come on like the second coming of Bonham.
March 21st, 2006 at 11:05 pm
I think my favorite track on the release is probably “The Payback.” The beat is from like 2001 which is real weird–I remember hearing it on the Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide show back then. Ive got the show on mp3 if you’re interested, Keith.
Dudley Perkins’ new release, “Expressions (2012 A.U.)” just leaked and it is entirely produced by Madlib like the previous “A Lil’ Light” album. Its interesting to hear the lo-fi sound you mentioned about Movie Scenes and then hearing the beats on “Expressions”–almost an entirely different sound in some cases. Still soulful and all that, just different–not so “library” sounding.
CHRIS