Madlib Album: “Beat Konducta Vol. 3-4: India”

Another solid release from Mr. Otis Jackson, Jr...the man keeps impressing. I cannot help but laugh when I hear all the laudatory remarks about Kanye West - speeding up old soul tracks and sampling Daft Punk qualifies as groundbreaking these days...how tragic.

What makes this release all the more impressive, apart from its infectious beats, is its concept. Can you name anyone else in the rap, hip-hop, whatever you want to call it game that has released a concept album? I cannot (off the top of my head at 9 in the morning). Beat Konducta Vol. 3-4: In India is essentially 34 instrumental tracks using music/vocals/speaking parts from Indian cinema. It may sound strange at first, but please give it a chance. I was less than satisfied at first listen but the more I listened, the more I enjoyed. As with all of Madlib's releases, one must be attentive, as if listening to Bach or Bill Evans, to truly appreciate its genius.

I preordered the day before the release, 2 days later it was in the box waitin for me !! I was as amped to check this modern day collage of beats, and soundscapes as much as the first Beat Konducta LP!!! They both are a must for any Instru"mental" fan out there! If you havent yet got a copy I highly recommend it to any serious hip-hop fan!

DJ Optimo Joe @ STL

It's 4:24am. I often like to listen to whole albums before I go to bed and I just got done listening to this album for the first time. And although I'm tired, I had to go over to my computer and pay my respects to this album in some form. It is simply amazing. I'm a pretty bad dancer but immediately upon hearing this album I sent a text to a good friend who's an excellent dancer and told her we needed to choreograph a dance to some/most/if not all of these songs. I don't mean any ordinary dance either. I'm hoping to do some beautifully abstract mania. Can't wait to get started. Everyone needs to get started on this album.

Great CD. Indian type music. Good beats. Does Madlib ever spin any beats that don't rock?!

I wasn't terribly impressed with this release. What I don't like about this CD is that there is an uneven mix of 'vocals' to beats. Some songs you can barely tell these tracks are In India. But what can we expect from twenty some tracks they can't all be jewels. But the tracks I do like are, Dark Alley Incidental Music, Early Party, Indian Bells, Accordion For Raj, New Bombbay(Probably the best ending female vocals, I wish this was in the whole track), More Rice, Raw Grond Wire (best vocals on the CD).

Don't get me wrong, i'm a big big fan of Madlib and the stones throw lable. This isn't going to change my mind on buying all madlib tracks/albums/beats. Just wish this one was a bit 'fuller' something that would make my indian co-workers go 'oh shiz, u know about that?'

So my conclusion is of course buy this for your collection, i'm sure u'll have songs that you think are better than the ones i chose. Or you could completely dissagree with my assessment. But because i feel that some of these tracks could have been a bit more robust i'm giving this CD 3 stars.