Angles Without Edges

Editorial Reviews
From URB Magazine
Only a mind as eccentric as Madlib's could invent not one, but five new alter egos to inhabit. Yesterday's New Quintet finds the producer behind the Lootpack and Quasimoto masquerading as Malik Flavors, Monk Hughes, Ahmad Miller, Joe McDuffrey and his true namesake, Otis Jackson Jr. Together, the five introduce one of the most unusual jazz/hip-hop fusion LPs ever as Madlib plays all the instruments included on the 19-track album. Programming from behind a trusty SP1200, he lays down percussion, bass and an army of different keyboards to craft the classic soul jazz record no beat digger has ever heard before.

Unlike the sonic wallpaper laid down by Pete Rock and Jay Dee on recent albums, Angles Without Edges offers complete songs rather than glorified loops. The compositions include such classics as covers of Roy Ayers' "Daylight" and Ramsey Lewis' "Sun Goddess," as well as more obscure fare like Walter Bishop Jr.'s "Keeper of My Soul," plus several originals like "The One Who Knows" and "Broken Dreams."

Though the album is intriguing, it's not for everyone as Madlib invokes ambiance somewhere between the improvisational freedom of jazz and the rhythmic anchor of hip-hop. His songs are neither balanced in both worlds nor completely thrown onto one side. But like his well-received Quasimoto persona, Yesterday's New Quintet is another dimension (or five) of Madlib's persona. And the experiment proves equally provocative as he slathers you in the funky warmth of Angles' soft, gilded folds.

Lefty Banks

Angles Without Edges,Yesterdays New Quintet,Stones Throw,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop

Angles Without Edges

Tracks:

Prelude
Julani
Papa
Keeper Of My Soul
The One Who Knows
The Birth Of YNQ
Paladium
Life's Angels
Thinking Of You
Uno Esta
Rugged Tranquility
Daylight
Hot Water
Mestizo Eyes
Sun Goddess
Kuhn's Theme
Little Girl (Dakota's Song)
Broken Dreams
Last Day

Customer Reviews:

Mood music.......2006-12-23

Madlib has to be one of the most creative individuals releasing music today. This album combines the spontaneity of jazz jam session with deep hip hop grooves. Perfect for a mellow afternoon or any other time to get lost in your thoughts. Very rewarding.

quite good, really.......2006-02-19

but i would just like to point out (because i've not yet read a review where this was mentioned) that the song Paladium is a nifty little reworking of Palladium by Weather Report. you can even hear Jaco's funky @ss bassline (apparently sampled then somehat buried). that's all.

Its NICE!!!.......2005-11-03

It is every bit worth of 4 stars. When I first heard this album, I thought it would be a rap project of some sorts; but it wasn't. It was an instrumental album. The first couple of listens, I didn't care for it and didn't play it. Some 3 months later, put it in the deck and listened to it while cleaning house, and loved every bit of it. Favorite stand out track "Little Girl". I gave the cd more props when I heard "Mestizo Eyes" on Adult Swim.

All and all, its a nice album.

P.S. I hear Stevie is better.

An Enjoyable Recording.......2005-08-04

I've listened to this recording several times now and I've concluded that it has a very mysterious appeal. It's not quite jazz, although it certainly utilizes some jazz harmonies and improvisatory freedom but Angles Without Edges walks the line between jazz and hip hop. As a matter of fact, this album would sit quite uncomfortably on the record shelves if it were surrounded by recordings by the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane or Wayne Shorter. One man band and producer, Madlib, really comes up with some excellent grooves and uses them to good effect and gets a wide range of interesting sounds out of his synthesizers. Unfortunately, as is done in a lot of hip hop, these grooves are basically driven into the ground by being looped over and over, without variation. Worse, Madlib is not a skilled keyboardist, resulting in some questionable solos. All in all, this album is an interesting experiment and does make for some compelling listening but it doesn't bear comparison to any of the recordings released by jazz's great inventors and pioneers.

Not Your Father's Jazz.......2005-06-29

I first heard 4 of these songs as soundtracks to "Bumps" during Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" line up. There would be a random shot of somewhere in Tokyo and these songs would play. The last "bump" listed the artists. I finally found the songs that I was looking for on this album.

This is going to be one of those CD's that you always want with you. "Papa", "the One Who Know", and "Paladium" are infectious. You can't keep your head from nodding and feet from tapping. This album is fused with so many element. Jazz, R&B, and Hip Hop. This is a keeper.

Soul Music:

Soul Music

soul music

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