Pitchfork

Seems Talib Kweli and Madlib resolved to be more generous and giving in 2007, and they're wasting no time with that. Today the pair delivers Liberation, a nine-track digital-only LP featuring MC Kweli and producer Lib, available for free download now-- cover art and all-- on Stones Throw's website.

A lo-fi affair full of soulful samples and plenty of name-dropping on the part of Kweli, Liberation includes guest verses from Consequence and Strong Arm Steady and should whet appetites a little bit until Talib drops Ear Drum, his previously reported new LP, originally slated for release late last year. It's now set to land later this month via Kweli's own Blacksmith imprint, under the mighty Warner Bros. umbrella.

But don't whet those appetites too much. Wrote Kweli on his MySpace, "Some fans will say [Liberation] is the sound they want to hear from me all the time. If so, congratulations, you got your wish. However, do not use this to speculate what Ear Drum will sound like. It is a different project with different influences."

Oh, and add kindness to the list of Kweli resolutions. "Shout out to my brother Madlib," wrote the MC in the same MySpace message, "for being so creative and inspirational, and for giving me a canvas to paint on. This project was inspired by his consistency...In this era of over produced and over marketed product, Madlib leads the pack of independent artists who could care less about all of that." We'll toast to that.

Liberation:

01 The Show
02 Funny Money
03 Time Is Right
04 Engine Runnin' [ft. Consequence]
05 Over the Counter
06 The Function [ft. Strong Arm Steady]
07 Happy Home [ft. Candice Anderson]
08 Soul Music
09 What Can I Do