The Beat Konducta

Madlib is an incredibly talented DJ/ Producer who was given was given the key to the Blue Note vaults. He got the unrivaled opportunity to take quite possibly the most famous Jazz Catalogue in the world and remix it in any way he wanted. The result is Shades of Blue, the 2002 album that rejuvenates a classic sound for a new generation. I heard about this record in my freshman year of school when I was really expanding my repertoire and got deep into Madlib and all his different personas: Quasimoto, Lootpack, Yesterday's New Quintet, Madvillian, Jaylib, Jackson Conti and Guilty Simpson (forgive me if I missed a few). The way he cuts up those old Jazz tracks and puts his own Hip-Hop and Funk to them is amazing. Forget the machine too because he even plays the real drums on several tracks. I caught him downtown at Irving Plaza a couple of years ago and his abilities and Vinyl searching skills, or what Popdose.com's Ken Shane calls "Cratedigging" are right up there with some of the best in the industry and I have enjoyed the expansion of his catalogue, especially his Blunted in the Bombshelter, Reggae mixes. Whoever made this video also has the sick editing skills. Watch Madlib, short for, Mind Altering Demented Lessons In Beats, below.

Song #129: Madlib - Slim's Return