Low Budget High Fi Music

Disjointed on first listen, Madlib’s 11th installment of his Medicine Show series sorts itself out on return visits, making this rangy set of collaborations one of the Show’s more purposeful entries. With tracks from A.G., Guilty Simpson, Oh No, Strong Arm Steady, and others pulling the listener in every direction, the point this time seems to be that Madlib’s Stones Throw alliance is much more versatile than you might appreciate, unified by a love of funk and smart rhymes, but entirely unique past that. The producer’s mix navigates these twists and turns with no issues whatsoever as skits and interludes link full songs, some reaching past the four-minute mark, which is rare for a Medicine Show set. This one will thrill the Stones Throw faithful as it contains a rare guest shot from jazzman Karriem Riggins, the return of Beat Junkie J-Rocc to the Medicine Show series, plus some Professionals cuts from way back when. Madlib junkies rejoice -- these rare collabos are also killer. ~ David Jeffries