Shades of Blue: Madlib Invades Blue Note

There are many other bland remix strolls through not just the Blue Note but also Verve back catalogues. If you want to enjoy jazz, but can't find it in your soul to do so (or need a tepid House beat accompaniment so that it doesn't seem too "different" from modern music), you can turn to those. If you think jazz is an antique collectable produced only prior to 1970 and reproduced imperfectly since, well... guess you can always dust off a few cherished records from your mausoleum.

Madlib is a much finer exponent of the spirits of jazz than most modern jazzists, and this album is a further testament to that fact. Those who like should also check his remix of Bobbi Humphrey's 'Young Warrior' on the Blue Note Revisited album - possibly better than anything on 'Shades of Blue'.

But it's all relative, and Madlib is a true modern genius. Whether he's hip-hoppin', be-boppin' or just straight doin' his do.

This album actually set me off on certain artists I hadn't listened to before. Bobby Hutcherson and Horace Silver, in particular. And it gots to be good news that young heads can expand their jazz vocabulary beyond 'Kind of Blue', knowing how much it informs the hip-hop and soul that gets us going.


Not For Jazz Fans!   July 12, 2004
 0 out of 42 found this review helpful

Jazz (and indeed Blue Note) lovers should tread warily near this. It's pretty poor. Check out the sidemen. Never heard of them? And you probably never will. This album will only to appeal to non-jazz lovers. It's shocking (but not entirely suprising) that Blue Note should stoop so low. If you like badly played under-produced grimy jazz-funk you'll love this. But then maybe you need an ear operation...


Great listen: true to BlueNotes...   May 25, 2004
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

'Slim's Return' & 'Step Into Tomorrow' - seriously catchy tunes. As a wise individual once put it, if it don't make your booty move 'your booty must be dead'.
Anyway, the rest of the album's equally well produced/remixed, many of the song's sticking devoutly to the smoother, slower blues/jazz roots of each track, but with a solid Hiphop drum beat & occasional sample/scratch that doesn't distract.
A little abstract towards the end (Footprints might make some listeners fidget, while others will revel in the departure), but all in all, plain good music.

Been told that an Album of the original tracks used exists - looking forward to checking that out to see how much of 'Bluenote' Madlib used in his shady scour throu their archives...


Killer Combo   February 21, 2004
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

Before you even start listening to this album there are a few things that should be bourne in mind.
1. Madlib is a renowned Hip hop producer.
2. Blue Note is a fantastic label for jazz.
3. The album was produced by Eli and Peanut Butter Wolf.

With these sort of credentials it is hardly surprising that a fantastic album has been produced. It combines some wonderful jazz (I don't pretend to be knowledgeable at all, though I have a few Miles Davis and Coltrane Albums, so I have dipped my toe in the water) with a hip hop flavour, which generally means a bit of lyrics in the background, with the melody of the song remaining intact. The beats are chilled, with some cool bass guitar, double bass, piano and trumpet playing around with the music in a way that only jazz musicians can.

I like albums which I see as progression for music in general, and this is definitely one of them, as is Bobbito Earthtones which I would also advise. This sort of music just gives you a good feeling, firstly because you found it but also because of the tempo of the music itself - just makes you wanna smirk and get down in a modern day James Brown stylee. That's right!