Matthew Larkin Cassell - The Complete Works (2010)

It's not often that a sample clearance claim against a record company turns out to be an altogether pleasant experience. Usually it's a blustery, puffy-chested affair with lawyers on both sides citing arcane copyright cases and threatening court proceedings as if the year were 1987 and Biz Markie had just released his first album on Cold Chillin.' Stones Throw inked a deal with singer, songwriter, pianist and man-in-the-know Matthew Larkin Cassell to issue his complete works. MLC hit US up after he heard his "Heaven," from his superb (and superbly rare) album Pieces on the Madlib production "3.214" from Madvillainy 2: The Madlib Remix. To be fair, Madlib had no idea he was using Mssr. Cassel's work until he put two and two together and realized that his source material, a Japanese bootleg 12" labled "MLC" stood for, well, you guessed it. And who wouldn't want access to the multi-tracks to MLC's break-beat laded "My Life?" Madlib certainly did. And MLC wanted to see his entire catalog (comprised of the Pieces album, an EP entitled Matt the Cat, a 7" single and a recently recorded and issued vinyl EP) issued on CD and distributed digitally. Less than a year later, here we are. The negotiations - completed (amicably!). Matthew Larkin Cassell - the Complete Works.