The latest edition of BBE's Beat Generation series showcases the production skills of the Beat Konducta himself (about time!). There's no doubt that Madlib is a vital figure in the current beat generation and is in good company in this series with previous volumes from the likes of Dilla, Pete Rock, and Jazzy Jeff. With WLIB AM, The "King of the Wigflip" lives up to the name with a densely packed album of beats featuring a slew of mic rippers and soul singers. All tracks have the incomparable Madlib sound - from the infectious bass and funky horns on "Gamble On Ya Boy" with Defari, the shuffling jazzy jalopy that is "The Thang Thang" with Prince Po of Organized Konfusion, thick-ass hot box beats like "Parklights" and "Disco Dance," the ode to his hometown of Oxnard "The Ox 805" with MED, the minimal stomp of "Drinks Up!" with Frank-N-Dank, and some hard knockin' thug shit with Guilty Simpson on "Blow The Horns On Em" and "Go!." Also check Madlib's softer more soulful side with "Yo Yo Affair pt 1 & 2" with Frezna, and "The Way I Live" with Stacy Epps. Double LP, 24 tracks total.

• music label: Rapster Records 2008

reviewed by snackmaster 10/2008