Sound Ancestors
by
Sound Ancestors Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

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  • Summary: The latest full-length release for the Los Angeles-based hip-hop artist was edited, arranged and mastered by Kieran Hebden (Four Tet).
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. The Wire
    Apr 5, 2021
    100
    Sound Ancestors is a masterpiece. The 16 pieces not only expand the conversation around the art of sampling, but also further hiphop’s ability to grow as a collaborative Black artform. [Mar 2021, p.54]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. The Guardian
    Feb 2, 2021
    100
    Madlib channels a deep, intertwining lineage of Black music through Sound Ancestors like folklore oration, storytelling with the sorcery of a beatmaker who knows how to make an instrumental really sing.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Feb 2, 2021
    80
    Like Akomfrah’s Data Thief, Madlib sees the connections between the past and future. On Sound Ancestors, he manages to give us a sense of what those connections feel like.
  4. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 2, 2021
    80
    Sound Ancestors is a realisation of what the Madlib and Hebden are capable of in tandem. It’s bold, different, and takes the genre of instrumental hip hop to the next level.
  5. Mojo
    Mar 19, 2021
    80
    Nourishing batch of beat collages. [May 2021, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Pitchfork
    Feb 2, 2021
    79
    Hebden’s arrangement of Sound Ancestors shows deep and intuitive engagement with Jackson’s weed-scented sensibility, which has no use for presumptive distinctions between the beautiful and the funky, the silly and the profound.
  7. Exclaim
    Feb 2, 2021
    70
    Sound Ancestors is a mixed bag if ever there was one. It's funky, it's psychedelic, it's jazzy, dirty, clean, and mean. It's Madlib.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. musiclover2020
    Apr 26, 2021
    10
    The way this album flows together is absolutely outstanding, I didn’t know who Madlib was until I listened to this album but I love his work,The way this album flows together is absolutely outstanding, I didn’t know who Madlib was until I listened to this album but I love his work, the way he incorporated things from his culture is amazing, honestly a perfect album, this is a great album to go on a walk to as well, 10/10 for me.… Expand
  2. clem666
    May 18, 2021
    8
    Each listen takes us further into the conceptualization of Madlib's music. 'Sound Ancestors' successfully manages to fuse outstandingEach listen takes us further into the conceptualization of Madlib's music. 'Sound Ancestors' successfully manages to fuse outstanding patterns, flows and ambiances. Samples play a very important role in here and are always used in one of the most impressive, inspiring and unpredictable way. The succession of tracks is of an astonishing and undeniable power, and the atmosphere oscillates very often between the appeasement, the instinctive awakeness and pure epicness. These songs are soft, raw, pleasant and agreeably disturbing. Thank you Four Tet to have mixed and channeled the irresistible genius of Madlib who did more than his best to fuse both nostalgic samples and experimental beats, finding his way to even pay respects for J Dilla. 'Sound Ancestors' truly is a excellent 'vibe album' even if some few tracks in my opinion kind of don't it the whole project.… Expand
  4. Fuerstenberg
    Feb 17, 2022
    7
    Madlib's "Sound Ancestors" is a masterpiece of instrumental hip hop that takes the genre to its next level. It is funky, psychedelic, bold andMadlib's "Sound Ancestors" is a masterpiece of instrumental hip hop that takes the genre to its next level. It is funky, psychedelic, bold and jazzy at the same time. And nothing sounds out of place, but deep, harmonious and perfectly arranged.

    Madlib with his endless creativity combines numerous new and old sounds, connecting past, present and future. Together with Four Tet and his editing and mastering work, a great record is created in which everything flows together.

    My favorites:
    "Hopprock"
    "Hang Out (Phone Off)"
    "Theme de Crabtree"
    "Riddim Chant"
    "Loose Goose"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    February 17, 2022    … Expand

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