Madlib is seen as one of the most revered hip-hop producers on the underground circuit. Unfortunately the second release in Madlib's Beat Konducta lacks the depth of production to sustain a listener for more than a few skims through each track. Instrumental albums are tricky at the best of times as hip-hop is one of those art forms that often require the entertainment found in an MC. As the title suggests, a heavy influence of the samples found on most of the tracks feature native Indian instruments and Punjabi vocal snippets, and with over thirty tracks to sift through there is plenty to select from. However, Beat Konducta, Vol. 3-4 In India has no sense of direction and cohesion and is only built for those who are experimental at heart. [Omar Jenning]
Out now