Quasimoto - The Unseen

Stones Throw

June 13th, 2000.

Madlib's alter ego Lord Quas shed his skin on this day in 2000. The unseen would become somewhat seen; bad characters would have their day; Astro travellers would have their soundtrack.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to violence" says the gnarly voice which welcomes you into the album. A warm welcome if there ever was one. Just what you want to hear on entering an establishment. A tip of the hat and a customary slap on the back to slip into another side of life. Smiles aren't the friendly kind around here. Cheshire grins concealed on faces. Evil in plain sight; under ones nose. A scent so close it evades sense.

"Violence devours all that it touches."

Come on feet, cruise for me. Take me where I need to be. Move me from this scenery. Offer up some lanes to leap. Sticky fingers. Sticky mouths. Sticky minds. Good morning sunshine. Lyrically, The Unseen exists for character rather than to say something profound or thoughtful - it lands 90/10 on my seesaw of style/substance. Supposedly the album was recorded during a week-long shroom binge - results were always going to be off-kilter. Eyes and ears tuned-in and searching for something else. Receiving signals otherwise not seen or heard - the unspoken? the unheard? the unseen? Rooms and shrooms. Unlimited energy limited only by the physical frame. Spirits in skin suits. Sent down on some sort of extra-curricular spiritual escapade, said skin suits search for their way home.

"The meek ain't gon' inherit shit, cos I'll take it!"

Basking in the West Coast sun. Warping. Erring on the side of mis-aligned. Warm and malleable. Taking the shape of whatever's around in order to stand up straight.

Dusty spirits play haunted tones.