To some it may seem like a hobby, but to many others it’s considered an art form. Using only turntables and a mixer to create and manipulate sounds out of existing sounds may appear to be wasted effort, but after witnessing some of the greatest turntablists of our time weave their magic in ways I’d never imagined before, I’d be inclined to disagree. Having an ear for music is just one part of it; being able to interpret that music and make something out of nothing is not something that every DJ can do. So when two of the turntabling elite come together, you know it’s going to be something special. Josh Davis AKA DJ Shadow burst onto the scene in 1996 with his debut album Endtroducing…, an album well known for its complete and utter use of samples throughout. Lucas MacFadden AKA Cut Chemist is known for his production and DJ roles in two high profile groups, the hip hop of Jurassic 5 and the Latin funk of Ozomatli. Both Shadow and Cut Chemist are pioneers in their own right, and have worked extensively together in the past, releasing Brainfreeze in 1999, a live recording done only with 45s. They followed this up in 2001 with Product Placement and in 2008 the duo return with the final part of the trilogy, The Hard Sell (Encore).

Recorded during rehearsals for their 2007 Hard Sell Tour, Shadow and Cut Chemist have gone all out, utilising 8 turntables and 2 loop pedals, continuing with the concept of using only 45s. The result is a foray into numerous genres, spanning hip hop to rock, punk, r&b and even Indian influences. Previously available as a limited edition, The Hard Sell has been remixed, to include much of the material that was left out due to time constraints from the original tour at the Hollywood Bowl.

With over 50 tracks broken down into sections with titles such as On A Mission and Jukebox Rock, to Funky, Chilled and even Hooked on Atari, these guys leave no stone unturned. From a robotic remix of Bill Haley & His Comets and their hit Rock Around The Clock through to a mix of The Beatles’ I’ll Cry Again, a vocal group version of Eye of the Tiger, the classic old skool break Apache, Boogie Down Productions’ I’m Still #1, Aaliyah’s Try Again, De La Soul’s En Focus, Digable Planets’ Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat), Del Tha Funkee Homosapien’s Mr. Dobalina, Melvin Bliss’ Synthetic Substitution, Bone Crusher’s Never Scared, Foo Fighters’ Everlong, Jefferson Airplane’s Don’t You Want Somebody to Love and The Doors’ Break on Through, there isn’t much they haven’t tried. Cut Chemist’s Ozomatli influences also throw some Latin beats into the mix, as well as some 80s synth-laden beats straight out of computer games, making it a comprehensive mish-mash of styles, with intermittent scratching and juggling throughout.

To think, all of this was done using only 45’s, making it even more amazing that the duo were able to get their hands on all those classic and rare releases on vinyl. Some might find it strange and confusing, but most will appreciate the talent shown by these two turntable masters. It’s an intricate process that they manage to make look easy. Touring Australia in April, The Hard Sell show is not one to be missed.