After Madlib began working with Stones Throw Records, he was convinced to release Quasimoto, first as a featured MC on Peanut Butter Wolf's "Styles Crews Flows Beats" 1998. Finally, Madlib put out Quasimoto's debut solo album - The Unseen - in 2000. This album received much praise from both underground hip-hop press and mainstream media, making it onto Spin Magazine's top albums of the year list.
After a subsequent journey through jazz production and collaborations with MF DOOM & J Dilla, Madlib called on Quasimoto again for his second album, The Further Adventures of Lord Quas (2005). Stones Throw describes the album, "playing like something like a smoked-out comedy/crime Blaxploitation flick," and with further critical acclaim, it continued to build Madlib's reputation as one of the most creative and fearlessly skewed creators in hip-hop.
In 2013, a third Quasimoto album was released, Yessir Whatever. This album is compiled of "12 tracks recorded over 12 years," half of which were rare and out of print vinyl releases, and others being previously unreleased.
Asked by Rolling Stone magazine if there would ever be more Quasimoto, Madlib stated, "Yes, but I still haven't finished. It takes time. It has to be on a different level. The shrooms were the stuff that made me do Quasimoto in the first place. Hopefully, I get back on that level where I can finish it."
The visual aspect of Quasimoto - a small, animated figure, usually yellow, with a brick in his hand - has been developed over the years by illustrator Jeff Jank, who is Madlib and Stones Throw's long-time art director. Quasimoto was originally not meant to be seen, but by the second album, the visual character himself was referred to in the album's lyrics.
Jazz Cats Part 1
Quasimoto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Early George Benson on down the Hampton Hall
Steve Cole, George Cables all up in the Rhodes
See the Walt and Herbie Hancock drop the heavy load
Gene Harris and the Three Sounds for soul jazz listeners
Bobby Hutcherson up late geared to the Jazz Messengers
Horace Silver, Bill Evans to Terry Gibbs on the vibe
Like Donald Byrd George Duke and Lee Morgan
Shirley Scott, Groove Holmes and Jimmy Smith up on the organ
Gene Russell, the artist symbol of Chicago
Inivators like Michael White push out the Cal Tjader
Classic shit like Weather Report or Max Roach
Laid back like Freddie Hubbard trumpet notes
Cannonball Adderley, Eddie Harris, Mill Jackson
Like Ron Carter's bass lines will beat you like a backspin
Yeah, like a backspin
We got the jazz, my man
Yo, who's got skills like Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Or conduct like William Fisher, go to work with the swisher
Up and John Coltrane up in my headphones
Gary Bartz, Mister Rub produce Lovetones
Even Cool and the Gang got jazz for that ass
Modern Jazz Quartet always got the A class
Johnny Hammis met Carl Sanders
Paul Bley, Thelonious Monk, Norman Conners
Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner
Dizzy Gillespie is presented by Don Sebesky
I be cranking mad jack, got mad stacks of cool-out
You know we pull the smoke tool out
I give props to Bluenote and Black Jazz
Impulse, CTI records and Plusga
Verve to Milestone, Atlantic and Muse
There's plenty more that I could name but ya'll won't put them to use
Anyway, I love jazz my man
We got the jazz
We got the jazz
David Sanborn
Universe
Freedom throughout the universe
Freedom throughout the universe
Freedom throughout the universe
...
In Quasimoto's song "Jazz Cats Part 1," the lyrics pay homage to some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. The verses are filled with a list of well-known jazz figures, highlighting their accomplishments and influence on the genre, urging listeners to appreciate their contributions. The opening line suggests that the song is meant to be listened to while one gets "lit," but this does not detract from the serious appreciation for the genre that the song attempts to convey. The lyrics name-check iconic jazz artists like Sun Ra, George Benson, and Herbie Hancock, paying tribute to their specific styles and contributions to the evolution of jazz. The mood of the song is celebratory and positive, demonstrating the joy and love that can be had for jazz music.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I be getting lit listening to Sun Ra
I enjoy listening to Sun Ra while consuming alcohol or other substances
Early George Benson on down the Hampton Hall
I start with George Benson's earlier works and work my way down to Hampton Hall
Steve Cole, George Cables all up in the Rhodes
Steve Cole and George Cables are playing the Rhodes piano throughout the song
See the Walt and Herbie Hancock drop the heavy load
Watch Walt and Herbie Hancock perform with great skill
Gene Harris and the Three Sounds for soul jazz listeners
Gene Harris and the Three Sounds are popular among those who enjoy soul jazz music
Bobby Hutcherson up late geared to the Jazz Messengers
Bobby Hutcherson is up late and inspired by the works of the Jazz Messengers
Horace Silver, Bill Evans to Terry Gibbs on the vibe
Horace Silver, Bill Evans, and Terry Gibbs all have a great vibe in their music
Gary Burton and album archives
Gary Burton has a large collection of albums
Like Donald Byrd George Duke and Lee Morgan
Artists like Donald Byrd, George Duke, and Lee Morgan are highly respected
Shirley Scott, Groove Holmes and Jimmy Smith up on the organ
Shirley Scott, Groove Holmes, and Jimmy Smith are all skilled at playing the organ
Gene Russell, the artist symbol of Chicago
Gene Russell represents the Chicago music scene
Inivators like Michael White push out the Cal Tjader
Musicians like Michael White are creating new and unique sounds, similar to Cal Tjader
Classic shit like Weather Report or Max Roach
Weather Report and Max Roach have created classic musical compositions
Laid back like Freddie Hubbard trumpet notes
Freddie Hubbard's music has a relaxed and easy-going vibe
Cannonball Adderley, Eddie Harris, Mill Jackson
Cannonball Adderley, Eddie Harris, and Mill Jackson are all skilled musicians
Like Ron Carter's bass lines will beat you like a backspin
Ron Carter's bass lines are powerful and will have a similar effect to a breakdancer's backspin
We got the jazz, my man
We have a lot of great jazz music
Yo, who's got skills like Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Rahsaan Roland Kirk is known for his impressive musical abilities
Or conduct like William Fisher, go to work with the swisher
William Fisher has great conducting skills and uses a tobacco cigar to help him concentrate
Up and John Coltrane up in my headphones
I am listening to John Coltrane through my headphones
Gary Bartz, Mister Rub produce Lovetones
Gary Bartz and Mister Rub create beautiful music that evokes a sense of love and emotions
Even Cool and the Gang got jazz for that ass
Even the popular band Cool and the Gang has jazz music in their repertoire
Modern Jazz Quartet always got the A class
The Modern Jazz Quartet consistently produces high-quality music
Johnny Hammis met Carl Sanders
Johnny Hammis collaborated with Carl Sanders
Paul Bley, Thelonious Monk, Norman Conners
Paul Bley, Thelonious Monk, and Norman Conners are all great musicians
Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner
Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, and McCoy Tyner are respected in the jazz community
Dizzy Gillespie is presented by Don Sebesky
Don Sebesky has created a presentation for Dizzy Gillespie's music
I be cranking mad jack, got mad stacks of cool-out
I listen to a lot of great music and feel really relaxed
You know we pull the smoke tool out
We are going to smoke a substance to enhance our experience with the music
I give props to Bluenote and Black Jazz
I have respect for the record labels Bluenote and Black Jazz
Impulse, CTI records and Plusga
Other respected record labels include Impulse, CTI, and Plusga
Verve to Milestone, Atlantic and Muse
We have respect for a wide variety of record labels
There's plenty more that I could name but ya'll won't put them to use
There are many more great musicians that I could tell you about, but I don't think you'll appreciate them as much as I do
Anyway, I love jazz my man
Overall, I have a great appreciation for jazz music
We got the jazz
We have a lot of great jazz music
David Sanborn
David Sanborn is a respected jazz musician
Universe
The universe is vast and full of possibilities
Freedom throughout the universe
Everyone has the right to freedom, no matter where they are in the universe
...
Contributed by Adrian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.