We’ve looked at two previous editions. London (with Damian Lazarus) and Paris (Black Strobe) while those International Deejay Gigolos Fischerspooner did New York and Ellen Allien Berlin. So this hip hop version is a bit of a departure musically. 0therwise it’s the same setup, a CD compilation with a DVD tour of the city.

Wolf could have done the CD himself of course. Remember last year’s 10th year anniversary Stones Throw compilation (I was a bit late on the uptake on this one but definitely recommended) and his rather fine remix of Azymuth’s ‘Morning’ but you and I know that any mention of “Madlib the bad kid” is going to get the heads digging deep into their pockets.

Talkin’ of diggin’ deep, he starts with jazz from the other side, well 1972 from Bubbha Thomas (tune) followed by the classic Cybotron track and then ‘Game Over’; now that’s how to link history.

As well as jazz heritage (Mark Murphy, Steve Grossman and Sun Ra’s classic ‘Nuclear War’) Madlib is also a reggae connoisseur and includes the Lee Perry’s Prince Jazzboo ‘Inmate Man’ and Horsemouth Wallace ‘Herb Vendor’. Also check his comps from 2002, Blunted In The Bomb Shelter EP and the Blunted In The Bomb Shelter Mix CD).

At the moment, favouring the funk tracks Rhythm Machine, Harris & Orr’s ‘Spread Love’ (a track that originally came out in the 70s and was re-released as a 45 on Keb Darge and Kenny Dope’s label Kay-Dee) and the Freestyle Fellowship’s street walkin’ jazz finale.

And if you’ve got a chance to do a bit of self-promotion, why not? Great tracks by Quasimoto, Malib, MED, Beat Konducta and Jaylib all get in on this CD. Well if they weren’t good enough, they wouldn’t be here. Trust the Madlib and all his guises.

On the DVD, Wolf and Egon go shopping on Melrose Avenue, Highland Park, Sawtelle Boulevard and the new uptown, Downtown. Wolf loves shoes and there are loads of shoe shops in town. The label is also noted for its artwork and we get a good look at some art studios. Wolf gets his butt kicked in a comic store, we get to see where Dilla sourced the records used on Donuts, go the Coffee Table for that Stones Throw hot mocha and the best of the lot, the vegan Restaurant, Paus.

But the most interesting bit is the Wolf interview at the end biggin’ up Madlib and Dilla (and their collab as Jaylib), insights into the history of Stones Throw and the deal with [adult swim]. There are some videos at the end so you get the idea of Stones Throw’s style of hip hop.

Any downside? Where’s Sun Ra fan Carlos Niño and Daedelus? OK, not totally Stones Throw (hey, but who played the Madvillain accordion?) but they’re definitely on the other side of LA. Perhaps they could be paired up to do a Volume 2?

If you’re after music for a diverse open mind, you can’t beat this Madlib invasion compilation CD. Comes with useful booklet and street map for hip grackles.

Hopefully this CD/DVD set will spread the Peanut Butter Wolf word about Stones Throw Records so they’ll be selling out Staples Centre as if it was a Lakers game; what’s that news about Jerry Buss (74) being drunk this week with a 23-year-old female? Only in City of Angels?

Reviewed: V/A — Time Out Presents The Other Side of Los Angeles : Madlib / Peanut Butter Wolf (Deaf Dumb + Blind) Cat. No. Release Date June 2007

Tracklisting:
1. The Lightmen Plus One — Energy Control Center (2:43)
2. Cybertron — Clear (2:28)
3. Dabrye/Jay Dee/Phat Kat — Game Over (1:58)
4. Steve Grossman — Inmate Man (2:32)
5. Prince Jazzbo — Blood Dunza (2:03)
6. Sun Ra Arkestra — Nuclear War (4:49)
7. Quasimoto — Greenery (1:51)
8. Outlaw Blues Band — Deep Gully (3:01)
9. Madlib -Infinity (1:59)
10. Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace — Herb Vendor (2:47)
11. Rhythm Machine — Freakish Love (3:08)
12. Mark Murphy — Sly (3:01)
13. Harris & Orr — Spread Love (3:23)
14. MED feat. Poke — What It Do (2:26)
15. Beat Konducta — Smog Theme (2:06)
16. Jaylib — Survival Test — (1:37)
17. Freestyle Fellowship — Park Bench People (4:58)

Links:
www.timeout.com/otherside
www.stonesthrow.com.
www.myspace.com/stonesthrow
www.stonesthrow.com/pbwolf
www.bbc.co.uk Stones Throw, reaches 100.
www.stonesthrow.com/egon
www.myspace.com/jaylib
www.olvera-street.com
www.adultswim.com
www.staplescenter.com
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