Last week I bought the new Beatie Boys record (The Mix Up) and it has ruled my CD changer since.
This is an all instrumental funk-soul-rock-reggae extravaganza. Diamond, Horovitz and Yauch are INCREDIBLE at their instruments and spared no expensive producing a fully organic and analog sounding vibe. Sample track 3 and you will click purchase now — the song is that good.
This is their first all instrumental record. This is a huge bet for a commercially successful rap group to make, especially given the weak performance of their last record in ’04. They decided to make this record at quite a commercial sacrafice: no singles, no airplay, no big market. All the more reason to love these pioneers of alternative music. They are the real thing.
Every song moves from the corners of the hip hop pallette. Their dub reggae rockouts are at their best. The more I play it, the more I think you’ll make it your chill out anthem for the Summer of 2007.
If you want to impress a friend, buy this and play it for them unannounced. When they finally ask, “who is this? They are funky!”, you can look back at them cooly and sniff, “well of course, The Beatie Boys.”
