Patrick O'Hearn - Mix Up (CD)

All Music Guide

One of the most influential artists in today's contemporary instrumental field has either gone off the deep end or found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Either way, Mix Up has taken an extreme approach to the idea of clothing old tunes in mostly unrecognizable garments, having altered many of his "hits" with a trendy dance beat and, in a couple of cases, with a rap expression that should win new fans in urban markets nationwide. The title refers to recording new mixes of various pieces from three of his last four releases, and turning the mix up substantially. As a result, loud volume serves best to illuminate the fruits of this particular labor, in which ace bassist and electronic musician O'Hearn, with experience in the group Missing Persons and previously with Frank Zappa, shows off his studio prowess in the devastating reworking of these compositions. "Black Delilah," for example, combines off-rhythm rap recitations with the sensual Middle Eastern influence, while two ne...w pieces, "Mixed Up" with its Memphis/Stax style and bass showcase, and the low-down and funky "So Saxy" take the sound even further toward possible success on popular music charts. If dance music is your bag, and you're not afraid to absorb soulful influences of all kinds into your music, then maybe you won't be as mixed up by this release as many will. - Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide Read more Less