Saddled with the unfortunate name of a certain pop thriller-turned-accused child molester, the artist formerly known as Michael Jackson comes from a long line of musical luminaries, from jazz trumpeter uncle Jon Faddis and soul singer father Otis Jackson to brother Otis Jackson, Jr. (otherwise known as beat-master Madlib). He’s previously produced tracks for MCs such as Medaphoar, Aloe Blacc and Murs, as well as releasing two solo albums, but it’s Dr. No’s Oxperiment on which Oh No reveals himself to be a distinctive and original talent on par with trailblazers like DJ Shadow and RJD2.

The third release in Stones Throw’s ongoing series of instrumental albums (follow J Dilla’s Donuts and Madlib’s Beat Konducta), Dr. No’s Oxperiment is a crate-digger’s record inspired by and sampled from rare Greek, Italian, Lebanese and Turkish psychedelic rock. In the years since hip-hop has evolved from an underground countercultural phenomenon into a multi-billion dollar-a-year global industry, it’s hardly revolutionary to match colorful samples of exotic musical forms with hip-hop beats. Hell, Timbaland’s been doing it for years. Yet the idea of creating a conceptual album featuring 28 songs (each of which clocks in at under two minutes) in which world music soundbytes don’t merely provide the catchy hooks, but the entire melodic foundation, still comes across as radically inventive.

The vaguely Middle Eastern-sounding vocal that bookends the album’s leadoff track, Heavy, may sound more than a little familiar, but the tripped-out, multi-tracked guitars that follow sound like something straight out of a late ‘60s acid trip, overwhelming the funky beat and rock-solid bassline at almost every turn. The quirky rhythm supporting the Arabic strings and chants of Gladius is slightly more prominent, lending the song an off-kilter appeal that’s only heightened by squiggly synth sounds that wouldn’t seem out of place on a Dr. Dre track. The bubbling liquids that open Ox Broil make it sound like Oh No’s been hitting the bong while chilling in the hot tub, but the laid-back track that follows is really the first one on the album that tones down the world music flavor and puts the producer’s hip-hop roots in full focus.

Honestly, breaking down the individual components that make up each track here is kinda beside the point: At its heart, Dr. No’s Oxperiment is a true concept album for hip-hop heads to get lifted to, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next to create a mind-bending alternate reality unlike anything hip-hop has ever heard before. Where his brother seems determined to mine the outer limits of hip-hop and jazz via modal minor-key musings, Oh No brilliantly blends disparate (and seemingly incongruous) ingredients together to create a global musical ghoulash that’s ultimately accessible, engaging, infectious and utterly original. You won’t find it in da club, and these beats probably won’t be rockin’ your Jeep anytime soon. But for late-night headphone listening, when you’re ready to take a heady, twisted trip around the world, this is just what the Dr. ordered.