The high-pitched alter-ego of the Lootpack's Madlib, Quasimoto concocts one of the most creative hip-hop albums in recent times. Sounding like a lost demo tape from 1992, and made under the influence of some serious mind-a... more »ltering substances, The Unseen finds Quasi indulging in scattered, stream-of-consciousness rhymes and a collection of dusty jazz breaks and loops. Not only does the album sample the frantic vocals of '70s playwright Melvin Van Peebles, it also shares an affinity with Peebles's spoken-word albums, such as Serious as a Heart Attack. Both artists are most interesting when they take chances, risking alienation and/or ridicule. --Oliver Wang« less
The high-pitched alter-ego of the Lootpack's Madlib, Quasimoto concocts one of the most creative hip-hop albums in recent times. Sounding like a lost demo tape from 1992, and made under the influence of some serious mind-altering substances, The Unseen finds Quasi indulging in scattered, stream-of-consciousness rhymes and a collection of dusty jazz breaks and loops. Not only does the album sample the frantic vocals of '70s playwright Melvin Van Peebles, it also shares an affinity with Peebles's spoken-word albums, such as Serious as a Heart Attack. Both artists are most interesting when they take chances, risking alienation and/or ridicule. --Oliver Wang
CD Reviews
Madlib's Classic Album as Lord Quas
J. McQueen | 06/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Madlib's classic album as his high-pitch, nasal Lootpack alter-ego Quasimoto (also on the Madvillain album.)
Great album if you're into artists like Madlib, MF Doom (Viktor Vaughn, King Geedorah, Zev Love X), MF Grimm (GM Grimm/Jet Jaguar), or the Monsta Island Czars.
If so, you'll probably love this album.
It is filled with tons of great jazz samples and distorted sounds. Strange, but good.
Great underground hip-hop album."
Slick, Strange, and Brilliant...
J. McQueen | 10/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a fan, follower, and believer of Hip Hop for over a decade now; and I am sad to admit there are definitely times when I think that Hip Hop is dying a painful death. The seemingly endless loop of standard beats; standard topics; standard deliveries; standard skits; and especially the standard, saturated-color, bikini-clad, booty-shake, rap video (et tu Nas?). But there are definitely times when a album comes along to restore my faith and remind me of why I love the genre in the first place. I am happy to say that Quasimoto's "The Unseen" is one of these albums. It's sneaky. Slick and unassuming. Sometimes as soothing as "white noise". Madlib/Quas composes in a way in which the voice, samples, and beats weave in and out; each equal in importance. The whole album is strung together by musical interludes making it run like one long composition/tapestry/variety show. At the same time it bears a studied rawness of an improvisational jam. It is somehow reminiscent of Tricky's work. Taking the rules (and baggage) of Hip Hop and turning it on its head. Sometimes reinventing it, sometimes discarding it. A mass of contradictions. "The Unseen" is metaphorically and musically complex and layered, yet surprisingly seems so effortless. It is like seeing something out the corner of your eye or moving in the shadows... but you can still recognize it as Hip Hop."
Lord Quas aka Madlib
fashizza | Indianapolis IN USA | 08/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to Quasimoto's Unseen is sort of like looking at a magic eye poster. At first glance, the poster is just a jumble of incoherent colors and shapes, without ostensible rhyme or reason. But once you stare at it long enough, the magic eye picture begins to form an image that you didn't see before. This is exactly what The Unseen is like. When I first picked it up, I thought it was awful-- the high pitched voice of Quasimoto and the odd samples that he uses didn't vibe with me. A few listens later, I think this album is fantastic. Madlib, taking the sobriquet of Quasimoto, has made a wildly creative and daring album when it comes to hiphop. Jazz samples dominate the album which he acknowledges in "Jazz Cats pt. 1," making for really great music to chill to. But he also sneaks some far out and funny sounds into every song to keep you alert and on your toes, playa. "Come on feet" and "Mhbs" are verbally wacky tracks, and at the same time, the production is killer. The Unseen is not hip hop as usual. Its a mixture of disjointed sounds that come together in ways you never would have expected. Somehow, the end result is an amazingly smooth album. Definitely peep The Unseen for its creativity and effrontery and innovative music making. The array of different sounds make it one of the best hiphop CD's I've ever heard. His annoying voice will even make sense, trust me."
MadLib on sum other ish.
D-Train | viva las vegas | 08/07/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Don't sleep. This album is mad crazy. Madlib has stamped his mark as one the brighest producers/mc's in the game. This album is laced with heavy Jazz overtones on each track. The production is so different I can't ever compare it to anything out, it's like the Lootpack on acid. Bad Character, Unseen, Astro black are live ass tracks just to name a few. This is how I would rate this album lyrics 4 production 4.5 creativity 5. Now you be the judge, don't be Unseen."
Not the Cat you saw Yesterday...
Chris G | Chicago, IL United States | 06/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There's not a lot of good hip-hop music out there. And among the selection which we choosy underground cats have to pick from, there has not been an album that has created a slew of talk among true hip-hop enthusiasts in awhile. Quasimoto's "The Unseen" is the big exception here. 24 cuts deep with jazzy beats and lyrical sweeps ever so unique is the best way to describe this addictive masterpiece coming outta Madlib's headquarters. The most interesting aspect is all the speculation buzzing around who Quasimoto is. I've come to the conclusion that it is Madlib, through articles concerning the topic as well as slowing down my "Basic Instinct" 12-inch on the turntables. Be sure to pick this album up immediately, because it's great. Big up to Stones Throw and Madlib, keep crankin'out this sweetness for our ears. Peace."
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1