As the years pass, Madlib has come into his own as the mad scientist of hip-hop. He has effortlessly fused jazz and hip hop so effectively that he has become somewhat of a household name. He has also stepped out of bounds and created an outfit of musicians known as Yesterday’s New Quintet which is like an out of body experience of him, broken up and fragmented into a band. He has already handily tackled the Blue Note Catalog (with the acclaimed Shades of Blue) and has seemed to run out of things to do besides his constant neck snapping hip hop beats. So what’s left you ask? Stevie Wonder! It may sound as a stretch to most but it is something that only Madlib can accomplish. “Stevie” is a tribute to the beaded genius of music in instrumental form. Under the guise Yesterday’s New Quintet, Madlib is set out to undertake the responsibility of bringing the innovative sounds of Stevie Wonder to today’s ears. This is a feat not so easily attainable without receiving some sort of backlash.
Upon first listen, many may turn a deaf ear to what YNQ has set out to accomplish. It may seem a little blasphemous to reprise such a masterful work of art but after multiple listens the quintessence of Stevie Wonder is what is captured. Not to be taken as a remix project, “Stevie” is YNQ paying homage to the spirit of such musical masterpieces. Sure, Madlib’s key playing may be miniature in stature but it’s there that the raw essence is beheld. Joints like “Rocket Love pt.1” and “Superstition” encapsulate the aura of the man responsible for ageless gems, but with a Madlib twist. Not a twist that is disrespectful, but a twist that makes it all the more comforting to listen to. “Send One Your Love” justifies YNQ’s position as the melodic tunes bound rhythmically throughout your head, easing your mind of any insolent attempts of degrading the Wonder name. As the album concludes with the moody reprise of “That Girl” purists will have to nod their respective heads in approval of YNQ’s paying homage to the one and only Stevie Wonder.
At the end of the day YNQ provides a dutifully crafted album with “Stevie.” Yes, it is raw in texture at times but it is within that raw aspect that good music becomes great. Trying to trump a musical genius was not the intention here. But it was to reach out to those who may not understand the legacy of Stevie Wonder and give them a reference kit which will hopefully have younger heads turn to the great one’s towering masterpieces. When all is said and done, Madlib has done what many would not consider in a lifetime, and has done it tastefully well as only Madlib can.
7/10
