Watch the Madvillain video for "Accordion"

Since it's MF DOOM's birthday, here's a short clip of his Madlib collaboration "Accordion" shot at chez Stones Throw back in 2004. 

The Pro-Teens vs. MF DOOM

Melbourne's Pro-Teens just knocked out a swell instro versions of "Doomsday" and the Madvillain gem "Curls" for a tribute 7". 

Here's the scoop...

Melbourne (Naarm), Australia’s enigmatic instrumental soul group The Pro-Teens emerge from mystery once again to pay tribute to the late great MF DOOM, reimagining two iconic cuts from the deep catalogue of the infamous Metal Fingered Villain. 

Doomsday, the title track from MF DOOM’s seminal debut album Operation: Doomsday, is reimagined as a floaty, coasting synthesizer-topped funk burner. Featuring vocalist ‘Polly The Invincible Pearl’ replicating Pebbles The Invisible Girl’s iconic Sade-inspired hook, The Pro-Teens warp DOOM’s instantly recognisable beat into a tasteful groover in the spirit of 70s soul. 

Curls is taken from MF DOOM’s timeless 2004 collaboration with Madlib, ‘Madvillainy’. Widely heralded as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time, The Pro-Teens felt that it was crucial to pay homage to this shining gem in MF DOOM’s storied catalogue. In their version, the original Brazilian sample is reconstructed with marimba, two guitars, angular organ tones and The Pro-Teens trademark boom-bap drum feels. The track fades out on a completely original addition to the piece; The Pro-Teens insert an outro that sounds like it could be an outtake or unused sample from Madlib and DOOM’s original effort. 

Bandleader Hudson Whitlock describes: ​​“As the sessions went on, the Pro-Teens traversed lots of ground with the arrangements and productions. This diversity of tones, moods, feels and arrangements was an intentional act to mirror the diversity within DOOM's own diverse musical vocabulary. We wanted to fluctuate between putting their own spin on DOOM's classic tunes as well as staying true to the original source.” 

Drawing from players within the College Of Knowledge family, The Pro-Teens now have 4 outstanding LPs to their name, including 2020’s triumphant Snooch Dodd & The Pro-Teens – I Flip My Life Every Time I Fly, the breakout release that attracted a worldwide reissue on Mr Bongo and earned BBC 6 Music’s Album Of The Day. 

The Pro-Teens - Doomsday b/w Curls will be available digitally and on 7” vinyl via College Of Knowledge Records on July 29th, distributed by College Of Knowledge (AUS) and Kudos Records (ROW). Get a copy of  The Pro-Teens Doomsday/Curls tribute single via Bandcamp right here. Listen to both tracks and the original DOOM joints below. 

These recordings were created on the sovereign land of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. The Pro-Teens pay their respects to their elders past and present. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. 

R.I.P. MF DOOM

Remembering MF DOOM – who reportedly transitioned on Oct. 31 – with a 3rd Bass appearance in 1990 and other clips. 

LINKS 

Rolling Stone – MF DOOM, Ellusive Bard of Hip-Hop, Dead at 49

The New Yorker – The Mask of Doom (2009) by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The House List – MF DOOM interview with Peter Agoston

MF Doom & Madlib return w/ new single and figure!

Madvillain figure with Avalanche 7-inch by MF Doom & Madlib is due in Feb, 2017. Hear Avalanche below. 

The new figure was conceived and created by the same team behind the Madvillain figure by Kid Robot, including James Reitano, illustrator/animator/director of “All Caps.” Reitano also illustrated the figure’s box and the 7” jacket and labels. The figure was designed and sculpted by Charlie Becker then manufactured by Blitzway, the South Korean toy manufacturer who manufactured the J Dilla figures, on behalf of Madlib Invazion.

The figure is 8-inches tall and stands freely at 8-inches deep with one arm which articulates. It comes in a custom designed box by James Reitano that can be disassembled as a diorama for the figure. The figure comes with a clamshell case inside the box. The 7” record is inserted into a custom space in the clamshell. Pre-order from Rappcats right here.

Madlib & Doom 45 track list:
A1. Avalanche
B1. Avalanche (Instrumental)