The Beat Konducta, DJ Rels, Quasimoto and Yesterday's New Quintet are all listed as different artists on the roster of Southern California's Stones Throw Records.
The Beat Konducta, a hip-hop producer, makes beats that cover a wide range of styles, from abstract and experimental to soulful and catchy. DJ Rels, a faceless electronic producer, is known for his eclectic broken beats, typically heard on the underground dance scenes of West London and Berlin. Quasimoto, a blazed-out social outcast, raps about his adventures escaping racist police in a never-ending quest for more cash and women in his trademark electronically altered high-pitched voice. Lastly, Yesterday's New Quintet, a modern jazz group, plays their own versions of songs from some of the greatest artists of the past including the innovative Brazillian jazz-funk group, Azymuth, and R&B legend Stevie Wonder, all in a unique laid-back style, composed of fender-rhodes, moog synths and swift drum beats.
While Stones Throw may have a motley assortment of artists under its belt, all of these artists have one thing in common. They are all the same person: Madlib. Additionally a DJ, MC (in his natural voice), and composing half of Jaylib and half of Madvillain, Madlib has become one of the most productive and diverse artists of today. Although his work schedule may make him seem like a machine, Madlib is well known for his free-flowing style exhibited in all of his music. Often compared to the intergalactic jazz wonder of the 1970s, Sun Ra, Madlib draws a number of his influences from the fusion jazz of the era, known for its innovative styles frequently linked with concepts of utopia, peace and outer space. But the vast scope of music attributed to Madlib could never be classified into select categories. A dedicated crate-digger, Madlib has an extensive library of rare and eclectic music that spans all time and place where vinyl records have existed. His famed studio, a 1950s bomb shelter, is home to much of this collection. As a DJ, Madlib has produced a number of compilations that give evidence of the most unique musical styles he has unearthed. Albums such as the "Mind Fusion" series, a reggae mix entitled "Blunted in the Bomb Shelter," and his Blue Note debut, "Shades of Blue", a remix project combining Madlib's skills as a DJ and electronic producer all highlight the various types of music that he enjoys and is influenced by. All the while, he stays out of the public eye. It is all but impossible to hear his music on the radio. As stated in an interview, Madlib claims that he makes music strictly for himself, not for money or anyone else. It just happens by coincidence that other people like it. Despite his underground dwellings, Madlib has a world-wide fan base, and now can often be heard on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim among label mates like MF Doom and the late J-Dilla. Although he is not one to bask in praise, it is safe to say that Madlib is truly a musical extraordinaire, who is not paralleled by many.
This past Sunday, Madlib, Stones Throw creator and DJ, Peanut Butter Wolf, MC Percee P and DJ J Rocc performed the last leg of the world-wide Chrome Children Tour, a joint project with Adult Swim, at (2005, Arts & Crafts), the latter winning the Alternative Album of the Year Award at the Juno Awards.
During their performance this past Monday, the band mainly stuck to songs off of their two most popular albums, Feel Good Lost and Broken Social Scene. To transition between songs, the band improvised short sections filled with loud distorted guitar riffs, fast drum patterns and random vocalization.
The crowd's response to these improvised sections was lukewarm, but as soon as one of the musicians played a recognizable phrase, such as the opening guitar line to "Almost Crimes," the band's first single from You Forgot It In People, the audience would erupt in applause and cheers.
Some of the most impressive songs performed were the slower, less intense songs, such as "Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl." The song itself is very repetitive, reminiscent of songs off of the bands debut album, building slowly until climax. Even the songs lyrics are repeated over and over ("Park that car / drop that phone / sleep on the floor / dream about me"). The song's vocal part was sung by Lisa Lobsinger, while Kevin Drew changed the effects on her microphone to give the illusion of several distorted voices.
The other members of the band waited off stage until their part was introduced and, walked on stage to join the group. By the song's climax, the entire band was back on stage.
The band finished their set with "KC Accidental," the second song on You Forgot It In People. The song features a fast drum part over a melodic guitar line, played on Monday by three different guitarists.
The song staggers back and forth between the hard-hitting drum pattern and a more rubato section, where the melody line is restated. After the band repeated this staggered form several times, the entire band dropped out and left Kevin Drew to sing out the first few lines of the song with the help of almost every audience member.
From the first chord to the last, Broken Social Scene delivered a powerful performance, making sure the audience got its money's worth. The set was much longer than usual, with the show ending well past midnight. All of the songs, especially the ones of the bands newest album, Broken Social Scene, proved even better live than they are in the studio. The size as well as the variety of the band's music insures the band's ability to move in whatever direction the audience pushes them.
