Quasimoto (2000, 2005)

Kind of Like: Madlib, J Dilla, MF DOOM
Genres: Hip-hop, Experimental, Jazz
Preview: Myspace
Spotify: Yes
Buy: Stone's Throw

Taking a quick study break.  Like the new Spotify thing?  I am hoping you guys have hopped onto the Spotify train, it will help you preview/download things a lot faster.

"One day in the studio, Madlib decided to rap to his own beats. He didn’t like the sound of his voice (his friends in Oxnard call him ‘Barry White’ in reference to his deep voice) so decided pitch the vocals up while recording to produce Quasimoto’s distinctive high pitched voice. The debut album was conceived and recorded by Madlib during a week long psilocybin mushroom binge."
-Last.fm

I admittedly, was not aware that Quasimoto was in reality Madlib until yesterday.  I just heard him pop in and out of J Dilla, MF DOOM and...Madlib tracks.  I never took the time to figure out who he was until now.  After I figured it out, I have been listening to his tow albums "The Unseen" and "The Further Adventures of Lord Quas".  The album that is a product of a shroom binge was not lost on mainstream critics when it came out.  SPIN put this release alongside Outkast and Madonna in their best of the year list for 2000.

If you played Tony Hawk Underground, you will probably recognize "Low Class Conspiracy".  Here is the video:

I also really like Jazz Cats Part 1, where Quas goes through all of his jazz artist influences.  And the kermit like voice that is in songs like "Greenery".  Pass it around.

Back to the books.

Listen Here: