07/11/2005 10:48 PM
Posted by Pandabob

“Pusherman (Mixmastermike Pusher's Nephew Mix)” by Curtis Mayfield

A little while back I mentioned the growing popularity of modern remixes of classic works. Today’s taste is another such mix. Here we have the Beastie Boy’s resident DJ reworking the Curtis Mayfield great, “Pusherman.” Mix Master Mike has won the DMC championships, the Olympics of “scratching”, a number of times and it’s easy to see why. There are very few who are capable of matching his ability to slide a record back and forth under a needle.

The challenge, however, is to turn wicky-wack gymnastics into something that still holds lasting musical interest. Don’t get me wrong. I love turntablist music and own a fair amount if it, but for the most part it’s something to be admired for it’s technical difficulty and not so much for it’s melodic quality.

Here Mike accomplishes both. There are plenty of his trademark cut-ups but there’s also still a healthy dose of the original groove. The end result is a groovy update to a funk classic tinted with modern hip-hop and peppered with scratches by one of the masters. Not bad at all.


“Pusherman (Mixmastermike Pusher's Nephew Mix)” by Curtis Mayfield