Just when you thought Madlib could get no more bugged-out, along comes the first installment of his monthly Medicine Show series, a 17-track prequel to the upcoming OJ Simpson album with Guilty Simpson (no relation). Tracks like “Ode to the Ghetto,” “Lucky Guy,” and “Pigs” offer grimey underground hip-hop at its dusted, blunted, and drunken best—hinting at likely instant classic-status for the proper album. Guilty’s hood-savvy, self-assured flow has never sounded iller, and it’s a strong counterbalance to Madlib’s ADD-addled production—crazy bells, sampled police radios, soul breaks, and ominous tones are everywhere. For true Madlib believers, Before the Verdict is akin to Miles Davis releasing a mixtape called Sort of Blue.