VARIOUS ARTISTS50,000,000 DJs Can't Be Wrong Volume One: Mixed Up Beats Record label: Redline Entertainment Format: 3xLP/2xCD Release date: 10 July 2001 Perhaps you've seen this compilation in the stores with its illustration of turntable outline sketches staring back at you. Perhaps you've told yourself to steer clear of it due to the fact that it looks like a 21st Century K-Tel compilation or something that would be sold via a TV advertisement and toll-free 1-800 number. How wrong you were: the headphones in the listening booth could've saved you a world of doubt. Instead of mediocre beats and mostly filler material, Mixed Up Beats is packed tight with nothing but the best from artists you're either quite familiar with or were curious about. Most of the tracks are rarities or B-sides, adding to the desirable nature of this collection. Big man on campus Fatboy Slim serves up generous helpings of himself, including a tasty B-side ("Sho' Nuff," far superior to "The Rockafeller Skank") and remixes of Beastie Boys and Underworld. Along with "Sho' Nuff" comes other fine Skint label cuts from Midfield General ("Reach Out" - a definite high point) and Indian Ropeman ("I.R.M." - hip-hop tabla style that toys with a classic Audio Two sample). There are also a number of ear-catching collaborations here: Esthero cuddles up to DJ Krush, Propellerheads get jazzy with De La Soul, Terranova pushes Tricky on the mood swing, and DJ Spooky freaks techniques with Scanner. And even after all that, there's still more: BT, Roni Size, Primal Scream, Chemical Brothers, Ming and FS, Massive Attack, Kid Koala...yes, there's more. Has the point been made yet? Mixed Up Beats is no "Scrubs Greatest Hits" affair. Don't sleep. {downtempo don}
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