What does A Tribute to Brother Weldon sound like?

A rich tapestry of soulful beats and intricate samples paying homage to the legacy of Weldon Irvine. Rooted in hip-hop. Start with "Prelude / Run With the Sun (Afterlife)".

Is A Tribute to Brother Weldon a good place to start with Madlib?

Yes, A Tribute to Brother Weldon is recommended as a starting point for new Madlib listeners. A rich tapestry of soulful beats and intricate samples paying homage to the legacy of Weldon Irvine. In 2004, Madlib was already recognized as a prolific producer and rapper, having released the critically acclaimed album 'Shades of Blue' just a year prior. 'A Tribute to Brother Weldon' showcases his deep reverence for jazz and hip-hop fusion, following his artistic exploration and collaborations with diverse artists in the underground scene.

Who is A Tribute to Brother Weldon for?

A Tribute to Brother Weldon works well if you're into gradual build to reflective conclusion, soulful introspection for quiet moments and back-loaded pacing rewarding patience.

How many songs are on A Tribute to Brother Weldon?

A Tribute to Brother Weldon has 12 tracks, running approximately 73 minutes.

A Tribute to Brother Weldon

Madlib · 2004

73 min · 12 tracks · hip-hop

A rich tapestry of soulful beats and intricate samples paying homage to the legacy of Weldon Irvine.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Prelude / Run With the Sun (Afterlife) Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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A Piece for Brother Weldon — The track encapsulates the spirit of the album with its lush instrumentation and reflective mood, serving as a heartfelt tribute to Irvine.
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Still Young, Gifted & Broke — This track combines introspective lyrics with a jazzy backdrop, embodying the essence of artistic struggle and resilience.
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The Beginning, The Middle & The End — Spanning over seventeen minutes, this expansive piece showcases Madlib's experimental approach while weaving together themes of life and legacy.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Madlib's intricate sampling and genre-blending create a rich homage to Weldon Irvine, showcasing both craft and cohesion.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, adding a narrative quality that enhances the tribute theme.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

gradual build to reflective conclusion
soulful introspection for quiet moments
back-loaded pacing rewarding patience
evocative soundscapes for deep focus

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — Solid entry that showcases Madlib's unique style but isn't a primary highlight.
Themes: musical mentorship· jazz-infused nostalgia
Career context: In 2004, Madlib was already recognized as a prolific producer and rapper, having released the critically acclaimed album 'Shades of Blue' just a year prior. 'A Tribute to Brother Weldon' showcases his deep reverence for jazz and hip-hop fusion, following his artistic exploration and collaborations with diverse artists in the underground scene.
Stylistic neighbors: J Dilla· MF DOOM· Flying Lotus