This CD pleasantly surprised me. I was expecting a compilation of all the mashups and remixes that this crew has put out on 12"; so far, which would not have been a bad thing. However, this is actually a three part mixtape with a section done by DJ Brazil, John Quincy Adding Machine and Mr. Bambu respectively. Two of these mixes are done using turntables and one is done using Abelton Live, which I give them props for acknowledging. Honestly, I'm not mad at anything about this cd because it is really tastefully done. The first mix by DJ Brazil is really chill, but still engaging. It is in tune and on time, utilizing boom bap downtempo joints to cool out some choice hip hop acapellas. The intro of Nas over J-Boogie works really well and sets the tone for the rest of this mix. Other highlights include Organized Confusion over a Jel beat and Goodie Mob sounding super advanced as usual, but it a chill out room in the dirty south type of way. Political speak at the end leaves the listener something tasty to digest. J.Q.A.M. comes through with some funky shit that is put in just the order you want to hear it in. Again, the blends are melodically sound and the track choices are very specific. Nothing super rare, just good songs that you won't really find on other mixes. Batting in the Big Papi slot is Mr. Bambu who takes it down south and into the future simultaneously. Dangermouse's pre-Gnarls, super slept-on "What U Sittin' On" starts things off. From there it goes eclecti-crunk (I just coined that term in case you see someone from the Fader biting it in a month) with selections from Three Six, Mr. Dibbs, Diplo, Portishead, and Syl Johnson. This is a really refreshing and beautifully done project. Buy this just to appreciate or to study up on how this mixtape thing should be done.

reviewed by Telekinetic Kat