Sound Directions (Madlib/Yesterdays New Quintet)

Title: The Funky Side of Life
Label: Stones Throw
Genre: Jazz/Soul/Funk/Hip-Hop
Format: CD

Sound Directions is the newest creation from producer and arranger Madlib.  The group begun as an offshoot of Yesterdays New Quintet in 2003 as a part of Madlib's Shades of Blue album.

The Funky Side of Life represents Madlib's first full length collaboration with session musicians – players whose tenures include Macy Gray, The Dap Kings, Antibalas, Breakestra and Connie Price and The Keystones – on horns, guitar and backup keyboards.  The horns were arranged by Todd Simon and Madlib himself helms the organ, bass and drums for most of album, except for a track or two where he includes the hammering funk breaks of UK drummer extraordinaire Malcolm Catto (MoWax, DJ Shadow).

’60s and ’70s tunes from the likes of the late Saint Louis saxophonist Oliver Sain and legendary jazzer and soundtrack composer J.J. Johnson get the breakbeat treatment, while mellow organs and guitar solos lace the newest version of Billy Brooks’ classic “Forty Days” tune.

The Sound Directed cover of David Axelrod’s “A Divine Image” is a fitting tribute to one of the Madlib’s heroes.

Tracklist
1. Directions
2. Dice Game
3. Wanda Vidal
4. Fourty Days
5. Play Car
6. A Divine Image
7. The Funky Side of Life
8. Theme for Ivory Black
9. The Horse
10. One for J.J. (Johnson)
11. On The Hill