Albums by this artist

Anti-Theft Device (1998)

Mixmaster Mike

Anti-Theft Device

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» JAY DEFOORE | STAFF WRITER

Mixmaster Mike Anti-Theft Device Asphodel, 1998 RiYL: Invisibl Skratch Piklz, X-Ecutioners, Kid Koala

Success is nothing new to Mixmaster Mike. His DJ group, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, won so many DMC DJ competitions that the group was forced to retire from the yearly event. With the DMC victories, countless mix-tapes and several Skratch Piklz albums on his resume, Mixmaster Mike had little problem landing a job as the newest member of the Beastie Boys. The only thing the DJ had not done was put out a solo album -- until now.

On Anti-Theft Device, the Beastie Boys return the favor, kicking off the album with a call for Mixmaster Mike to "rock this place." But this DJ doesn't rely on the famous New York brats to carry his album, instead, he uses found samples and cutting-edge turntable manipulation to create an album of 31 separate instrumental soundscapes.

Much like a painter or a collage artist, Mixmaster Mike collects raw materials, in this case thousands of vinyl records, and assembles them into song structures. With carefully chosen strings of samples, Mike creates a narrative effect as different phrases combine to create whole new sentences.

Half the fun of listening to the record comes from trying to guess which records the DJ uses. A discerning ear can pick out snippets of Eazy E, a bass groove from the Funky Meters or a line from Gang Starr, but countless other samples lie just under the surface of recognition. Few remain in their original state without some sort of technological manipulation.

With little or no pause between the songs, the only thing that distinguishes them are their titles. "Mean Dirty Killer," "Can Of Ass Kicks" and "One Minute Massacre" win the best song name contest. What saves the album from sameness is Mixmaster Mike's sense of humor in stringing together samples. The DJ mines the depths of pop culture to pull together gems of memory-jogging hilarity. Jumping from "Mr. Ed," to old sci-fi movies to the more recent "Austin Powers", Anti-Theft Device flows like a steady stream of rhythmic one-liners.

Although the high point of the album is Mixmaster Mike's ability to squeeze various chirps, squeals, thumps and squawks out of his turntables, producer Naut Humon deserves credit as well. A butt-wagging beat always keeps the songs moving. Digital filtering, editing and drum programming infuse the otherwise hip-hop album with state-of-the-art electronic enhancements.

Anti-Theft Device marks the first wave of turntable-dominated albums. As tastes give way to more mind-expanding music from the growing ranks of turntablists, expect Mixmaster Mike to lead the charge.

JAY DEFOORE |