The Unseen
Stones Throw, 2000
rating: 5/5
reviewer: wolfman


Now an independent hip-hop mogul and celebrated producer, Madlib has earned himself a plethora of complimentary remarks. With his successful Shades Of Blue album and the MF Doom collaboration,  Madvillain, he has, in the past few years, heightened his prolific resume and obtained a unique creative freedom. Yet few people knew who Madlib was prior to the release of these gems and many have yet to discover his previous, but equally important and fascinating work. In fact, it is through the strength of these albums that Madlib’s overlooked and under appreciated work now receives accolades and praise.

Some of Madlib’s most accomplished, and inventive work can be found on The Unseen; one of hip-hop’s more eccentric albums. Quasimoto, ( Madlib’s rapping alter ego), is an unconventional emcee with a high-pitched, penetrating vocal delivery and a penchant for absurdity and irrationality. The album showcases the many strengths of the complicated and fascinating producer’s original beats. The lyrics fall to earth with cryptic rhymes about self-identification, old school shout-outs, and the business of money. Madlib’s production is a simplified and stripped-down affair, overflowing with abstract drum cadences and the occasional intertwined sample. Crisp and clear, the programmed drum sequences accompany his unique and bewildering lyrical technique as Quasimoto, creating a structure that is seldom linear or smooth. The jagged delivery compliments the beats perfectly, keeping the album fresh and innovative throughout its 24-song duration. In fact, even if his Quasimoto voice gets slightly overdone, Madlib’s beat production keeps the album from capsizing and renders it extremely polished and sophisticated.

The ultimate strength of The Unseen is Madlib’s acceptance of a particular style of production that is exemplified on all his later releases. Prior to the album’s release, Madlib dabbled in Bay area, west coast influenced hip-hop with Lootpack, his collaboration with Wildchild. The Unseen showcases Madlib’s eventual direction and displays his innovation and tactfulness, on wax and on the mic. And with the help of his enchanted and mythical performances as the quirky and eccentric Quasimoto, The Unseen is a true masterpiece that laid the foundation for some of today’s best and most absurd hip-hop.

1. Welcome To Violence
2. Bad Character
3. Microphone Mathematics
4. Basic Instinct
5. Good morning Sunshine
6. Discipline 99 Pt. 0 w/ Mr. Herb
7. Low Class Conspiracy
8. Return Of The Loop Digga
9. Real Eyes
10. Come On Feet
11. Bluffin
12. Boom Music
13. MHBs
14. Put A Curse On You
15. Astro Black
16. Green Power
17. Jazz Cats Pt. 1
18. 24-7 w/ Medaphoar
19. The Unseen
20. Phony Game
21. Astro Travellin
22. Blitz