#365 Madvillain, 'Madvillainy' (2004)

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I love it when an album surprises me. This is totally not what I expected. I went in thinking this would be another hardcore hip hop record following the past few entries. This album actually knocked me off my feet. The debut record by Madvillain, a Hip Hop duo consisting of MF DOOM (the guy in the mask) and Madlib on production. Being familiar with some of Madlib’s stuff, this album makes total sense, but I went in blind, not knowing who was in the group. It’s an underground hip hop record built heavily on unusual samples. A lot of Jazz and experimental music like Mothers Of Invention to samples from ‘Street Fighter II’ and comedian/counterculture writer, Jack Morgolis.

Released on Stones Throw Records, the album is very consistent with their sound (I don’t know how, but I knew which label it was released on before checking). Although it’s success was moderate on release, it still managed to become one of the label’s biggest selling records. Most of the music was created in Madlib’s hotel room on a trip to Brazil using simple, minimal equipment. Combined with MF Doom’s incredible rhymes, this record is Hip Hop perfection. A great new discovery for me and an album I’ll continue to listen to in future.

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