Yesterday’s New Quintet Stevie
Whatever you want to say about Madlib, you can’t front on the guy’s prolific output, […]
Whatever you want to say about Madlib, you can’t front on the guy’s prolific output, which is almost Prince-like in its intensity. This time around, the LA virtuoso freaks Stevie Wonder for all he’s worth-which is another way of saying this album is one extended cut-and-paste recreation, combining Madlib’s live performance and patented sound collage work with the best of the ’70s’ blind genius. The results are mixed but always refreshing; some tunes (“Superwoman/Where Were You Last Winter,” “You’ve Got It Bad Girl”) leap right off of the disc, while others (“Superstition”) limp their way to the finish line. Stevie‘s static-heavy listening is a good time, whether you’re providing the soundtrack for a night of poker, political discussion or bong puffing.