Yesterdays Universe is an album released on Stones Throw Records. The album, produced entirely by Madlib, marks the end of the group Yesterdays New Quintet as Madlib's jazz project and the beginning of Yesterdays Universe.

Yesterdays Universe
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 17, 2007
Recorded2006–2007
GenreJazz rap
Length73:42
LabelStones Throw Records
ProducerMadlib
Yesterdays New Quintet chronology
The Funky Side of Life
(2005)
Yesterdays Universe
(2007)
Miles Away
(2010)
Madlib chronology
Liberation
(2007)
Yesterdays Universe
(2007)
Beat Konducta Vol 3-4: Beat Konducta in India
(2007)

Background

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Most of these names and groups are, in fact, Madlib aliases, Madlib solo projects, or groups Madlib has with other artists such as Karriem Riggins and Ivan "Mamao" Conti of Azymuth.

The universe refers to Madlib's virtual band of animated jazz musicians, all of whom were created by Madlib. The groups include The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz Ensemble, Kamala Walker and The Soul Tribe, Monk Hughes & The Outer Realm, The Eddie Prince Fusion Band, Joe McDuphrey Experience, The Jahari Massamba Unit, Yesterdays New Quintet, Young Jazz Rebels, Sound Directions, Jackson Conti, The Jazzistics, Malik Flavors, Ahmad Miller and Suntouch. Many of the tracks on the album are taken from previous Yesterdays Universe releases, most of which were released by Stones Throw exclusively on vinyl.

The song "Two for Strata-East" is a tribute to the jazz label Strata-East Records, founded in 1971 by Stanley Cowell and Charles Tolliver.

Track listing

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# Title Composer(s) Performer(s) Producer(s) Time
1 "Bitches Brew (M. Davis)" Miles Davis Otis Jackson Jr. Trio Madlib
2 "Umoja (Unity)" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
The Jahari Massamba Unit
Karriem Riggins Trio
Madlib
3 "Slave Riot (D. Smith)" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
Young Jazz Rebels Madlib
4 "One for the Monica Lingas Band" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble Madlib
5 "Street Talkin'" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
Kamala Walker & The Soul Tribe Madlib
6 "Marcus, Martin, & Malcolm" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
The Jazzistics Madlib
7 "Two for Strata East" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
Suntouch Madlib
8 "She's Gonna Stay" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
Sound Directions Madlib
9 "Cold Nights and Rainy Days" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
The Last Electro-Acoustic Spaze Jazz & Percussion Ensemble Madlib
10 "Free Son" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
Otis Jackson Jr. Trio Madlib
11 "Barumba (L.Eca, Bebeto)" Luiz Eça & Bebeto Jackson Conti Madlib
12 "Sunny C (California)" O. Jackson Jr.
A. Miller
K. Riggins
I. Conti
Ahmad Miller Madlib
13 "Mtume's Song" O. Jackson Jr.
K. Riggins
I. Conti
The Eddie Prince Fusion Band Madlib
14 "Vibes from the Tribes Suite (For Phil)" (Phil Ranelin) Phil Ranelin Yesterday's Universe All Stars Madlib
15 "Upa Neguinho" (Edu Lobo / Gianfrancesco Guarnieri) Edu Lobo / Gianfrancesco Guarnieri Jackson Conti Madlib
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