LOOTPACK - The Lost Tapes (Reissue) - 2LP - Vinyl [MAY 23]

2LP - Black Vinyl. Early Madlib release.

Before Madvillain, before Yesterday’s New Quintet and before Quasimoto or any other of his several alter egos, Madlib perfected his craft as an MC/producer in the Lootpack. Along with DJ Romes, and fellow rhymer Wildchild, they released the dusty full-length, Soundpieces: Da Antidote back in 1999, that laid down the foundation for the unique and dusty sound now associated with Madlib.

The loose, freeform recordings on this collection are circa 1996 when the group was managed by Madlib’s father, and they show the now-renowned maverick producer in comparatively restrained form. Madlib’s scope and imagination was clearly fixated on East coast jazzy hip-hop production from the early ’90s, laying down soundscapes for his hungry crew including the likes of Kazi, Declaime and Medaphoar, who have all become well known underground rap vets. Madlib’s own strong mic presence is noticeable given his now only-on-rare-occasion rhyming, but it’s his production that is the most fascinating element here. While a resolutely hip-hop project, theburgeoning jazzy flourishes and Madlib’s heavily accomplished ear for sound makes the record an important starting point for adherents of his more recent exploratory work.

Tracklist: 

A1        Innersoul
A2        Interlude 1
A3        Psyche Move
A4        I Come Real With This
A5        Interlude 2
A6        Situation

B1        Get Whack
B2        Antidote to da Antidope
B3        Interlude 3
B4        Attack of the Tupperware Puppets
B5        Interlude 4
B6        Forever Beef

C1        What 'Cha Gotta Say?
C2        Interlude 5
C3        Miss Deja Vu
C4        I Declare War
C5        Why Do We Go Out Like That?

D1        Make Your Ears Want to Bleed
D2        Interlude 6
D3        Female Request Line
D4        Undisciplined
D5        Hip Hop