Georgia Anne Muldrow

The latest offering from the ultra-prolific Georgia Anne Muldrow marks the first time that the singer/multi-instrumentalist/producer/MC has been featured as a vocalist on another producer's music, as underground hip-hop uber-producer Madlib handles the production reins on Seeds. The titular opener samples Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes' Philly soul chestnut "Where's the Concern For My People?" a call to environmental consciousness, as well as a diss against controversial agricultural conglomerate Monsanto, setting the conscious vibe right away. As brilliant as Muldrow can be, compositions on previous efforts, like 2006 debut Olesi: Fragments of the Earth, had the frustrating tendency to end prematurely, while parts of 2010's King's Ballad meandered. Seeds strikes the perfect balance, as Madlib's thickly layered funk and soul samples and cabinet rocking beats pair with Muldrow's gloriously off-kilter vocals and free-form song structures to make this her most satisfying release to date. "The Birth of Petey Wheatstraw" is four-and-a-half minutes of staggered, dirty, hypnotic funk powered by chicken scratch guitar, while the smooth boogie of "Best Love" is a portrait of a couple's optimism and devotion in the face of worldwide turmoil. "Kneecap Jelly" surveys the current American political climate with a minimalist, head-nodding beat and is an emotional performance by Muldrow that bristles with simmering anger without becoming strident. Plant these sonic Seeds in your mind and let them grow.