So I recently accuired two insrumental albums, Madlib’s Beat Konducta Vol. 5 and Flying Lotus’ Los Angeles. I have to admit before this I had never listened to an instrumental album all the way through. Actually the only time I had dealt with any instrumentals period is when I was messing around in a music production program.
I didn’t understand why anyone would want an album full of beats without any vocals. I wondered why the songs on the album even had names. The two albums named above caused my realization of my miseducation.
An instrumental album is a lot like an off period in a high school day. It is a break from the lectures and tests or in this case, lyrics. You don’t have to listen too closely to an instrumental album, there will be no straining or rewinding to catch some insignificant punchline. No looking up words on Urban Dictionary. It is overall an easier, more relaxing experience.
My miseducation is that I was “taught” or rather brought up with the incorrect knowledge that with beat comes rhyme. I thought that beats were created specifically for the purpose of being rapped over and any other way, shape, or form would be incorrect. Listening to just a beat would not be a desire or even an exception of mine until I listened to the two albums mentioned above.
I cannot bring myself to even begin reviewing or rating these albums for this realization has left me feeling an inexperienced hip hop fan. How could I say these albums are bad or good if I have nothing to base the conclusion?
But, from what I know of basic album production I can say that these are two excellent producers and judging by previous work there is no reason why these two instrumental albums shouldn’t be considered good as well.
The Hip Hop Post 
September 23, 2008 at 1:09 pm
You now? sometimes people like to listen just the way how a producer mix samples and sounds.
This practice is so long covered by the ryme, even very god ryme.
Personally, I love to listen instrumental album. The beatmaking is an art just like mcing, turntablism, breaking and writing, and I think just need more space to be accepted.
My compliment for the blog
😀
September 23, 2008 at 1:54 pm
This post and Caput’s post have inspired me to do a series of educational posts on instrumental albums. A lot of people don’t understand the appeal of instrumental albums, but there are plenty of great instrumental albums, and they’re becoming more common year after year. I’ll get working on that soon.
September 23, 2008 at 5:17 pm
i’m actually surprised that people who run this excellent blog didn’t know anything about instrumental stuff. not that I know much…
but yeah man check out cut chemist’s “the audience’s listening” (even if the best track, storm, has guest mc’s). also blue sky black death is fucking amazing. their latest album, ‘late night cinema’ is just ridiculous.