Review

Why is Yesterdays Universe: Prepare For A New Yesterday not listed as a compilation despite having 15 tracks from ten different artists? Because uber-producer Madlib is behind each and every one of them. Karriem Riggins and Ivan Conti provide percussion color to a few tracks, but the flute funk ("Bitches Brew"), free jazz ("Slave Riot") and cosmic grooves ("Cold Nights & Rainy Days," among many others) are all Madlib. It's far from what you might expect from one of hip-hop's most renowned producers, but Lib has never gone the easy route. It's the reason why audiences have followed — and why Yesterdays will continue to impress for years to come. Here's to schizophrenia.