New York hip-hop legends Beastie Boys release their seventh studio album, 'The Mix-Up'.
Don't be confused by the title, though. There is no mixing of anything on the new album, apart from a smooth blend of guitar, bass, drums, organ and percussion. And no lyrics. Almost a companion piece to the stark old-school hip-hop album 'To The Five Boroughs' of 2004, this instrumental album relives the band's lounge jam side, first evidenced on the compilation of mellow tracks found on 1996's 'The In Sound From Way Out!'.Despite Mike D proposing that the album would be "post-punk instrumental" before its release, reviews have noted that the only "post-punk" element is that the band have shed their punk rock roots. The album is a collection of dub, soul and funk jams, featuring longtime keyboardist Money Mark on keys and organ and percussionist Alfredo Ortiz.
The band have planned a US tour through August playing all their classic material, with more intimate dates to be scheduled where they will perform tunes in 'Mix-Up' mode. They play Live Earth in London on July 7.
