Customer Reviews

Diminishing Returns

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

From what I gather, this is DJ Shadow's John Peel session. For those of you coming out of hip hop and not classic rock, John Peel was a BBC DJ from the late 1950s into the 2000s. He did live sessions with all the new bands, ranging from Led Zepplin to 80s rock. To get on his show was a badge. It meant you were really good, and about to crack from being a cult band to being in the majors.

Shadow had long made it when he got onto Peels show, but Peel always knew the edge when he heard it--he understood new music into our era, dispite being a big brand in progressive rock.

Diminishing Returns is an extremely dynamic mix by Shadow. It starts with hip hop, but Shadow's revision of the music; layers and layers of samples that make the genre as thick as the most complex jazz or or art rock.

He sure delivers here--listening is like a nuclear sound blast. I have this on LP, and frankly, I have never heard frequences this low or this rich on vynal. I am not even a big rap fan, but in Shadow's godly hands, I find myself reevaluating.........No: I am down with that
s-----t up in this b----ch

And then, proving the point that makes Shadow so class A, he goes into obscure revisions of classic rock songs. This guy has one of the biggest collections in the world. He realizes, and shows us, it is all encompessing and all connected.

I have a recording of the original BBC broadcast of this mix, straight off the radio, and it's pretty amazing. First part of the mix is old school hip hop jams expertly mixed, second half is 60's-70's pop-rock tunes. An odd juxtaposition that moves from upbeat to melancholy, but it works well. I personally am DYING to find a tracklisting, but it seems to be even more elusive than the album itself. I'd highly recommend picking this one up if you can find it.

cd1 its review 80's Hip-hop compilation, cd2 its different - sunrise pop - best compilation I've ever heard!!!

This is a very rare mix and a very difficult disc to find. If you are a Shadow fan, you know that he puts out great mixes with very limited pressings. What you buy here may not even be the original pressings of the disc. However, it is worth picking up. You will not be disappointed. Not just the best mix of the year, but probably the best of the past decade!

First off, there was soulsides/Blackalicious. It ruled. Then Endtroducing. It was awe inspiring globally. Pre-emptive (collection of singles) was almost as good. UNKLE had some awsome beats. Then the Dark Days single. One of shadows best tracks he has ever produced. (not sure if it came out in the states, but get it if you can). We then get to the Private Press.
(Not nearly as good as his previous releases, but still some interesting moments, but overall was too clean and sellout sounding). After other scattered live releases (live in austin texas, the Brainfreeze cd's with cut chemist) we come to Diminishing returns. I would say this is his most dissapointing release. actually, it is damn AWFUL. Shadow has gone breakdance crazy, and here is playing some old break dance rubbish. I would just recommend buying some old 80's vinyl and pretending it is Shadow instead of paying the hefty price tag. Shadow is still a God but each releaes sees him getting weaker. I would not pay $... for this cd.