Jazzsoon Speaks On New Beastie Boys & James Brown Strictly Cassette "Blend" Tape Beastie Brown Deluxe (The Witzard Interview)
"Beastie Boys + James Brown = Beastie Brown. Music is the sonic version of a person's soul. You can hear it in the vibes they create. If it hits you on the positive tip, you'll definitely Shake Your Rump. You might be head-bopping on the train caught up in the commuter headphone zone or be a B-boy up rocking on linoleum in the park while a DJ does his thing. Regardless of the situation, the Body's Moving to a Funky Drummer. You can't fight that emotional connection, so don't try. The rhythmic arts are an Ill Communication, no doubt about it. What you have right here is a labour of love mixed up with true passion from the Brooklyn icon, Jazzsoon. He's the living embodiment of all that's authentic New York City and that shines through in all his endeavours."
"Serious biz. It's a beautiful combination of The Three Bad Brothers That You Know So Well and The Godfather of Soul. A sonic enterprise like you've only ever dreamed of. It's musical royalty married in Heaven to create something majestic. So, press Play and prepare to embrace the re-invigorated Sounds of Science for 2016. Bare witness to Beastie Brown," Strictly Cassette wrote within a 2016 Bandcamp description. Now, nearly four years later, Jazzsoon has returned with a new, updated, and expanded version of Beastie Brown, fittingly entitled Beastie Brown Deluxe. We recently sent some questions over to Jazzsoon, via email, concerning both Beastie Brown (2016) & Beastie Brown Deluxe, which you can now peruse below.
I. What are some of the major noticeable differences between Beastie Brown (2016) and Beastie Brown Deluxe?
Jazzsoon: Two remixes with their instrumentals and two Bonus Beats not on the original tape.
II. What made you decide to re-visit Beastie Brown four years later as Beastie Brown Deluxe?
Jazzsoon: I had the extra tracks in the stash.
III. Now, are you at liberty to reveal which Beastie Boys & James Brown tracks you remixed/incorporated into Beastie Brown Deluxe?
Jazzsoon: You gotta buy the tape to find that out...
IV. What inspired the unique inner and outer cassette tape artwork for Beastie Brown Deluxe? Did you design it yourself?
Jazzsoon: That's my man, designer extraordinaire Mark B. He knocked that out first hit; it took no time. It's a flip of Billions [McBillions'] O.G. Hello Nasty cover.
V. How did you initially come up with the idea to remix, combine, and incorporate songs from both The Beastie Boys & James Brown on Beastie Brown/Deluxe?
Jazzsoon: I bought an album of Beasties acapellas from Kim's [Video & Music] in the city (R.I.P.) like 10, 11, or 12 years ago and was just sitting on it and what, actually, gave me the idea is something totally different.
VI. What do you currently have planned for your upcoming projects and releases?
Jazzsoon: I'm always working on something new; so, something new will be coming your way sooner than later.
VII. Do you have any immediate plans to ever try your hand at remixing any other Beastie Boys albums, in addition to Paul's Boutique?
Jazzsoon: Probably not. I gotta keep it moving to the next ish.
VIII. We saw you've already worked with NEMS on 2019's Gorilla Monsoon tape... but what additional emcees would you like to work with on full-length projects?
Jazzsoon: I don't know; to tell you the truth, there's so many, but who knows. I'm really not sweating that too much. We'll see what happens in the future.
IX. Do you remember the first time you heard Paul's Boutique? If so, would you mind sharing your thoughts on the album upon your first full listen through?
Jazzsoon: Yeah, I do. As a matter of fact, I really wasn't a fan of License to Ill too much, to be honest. So, just from that, I had them put in a certain box until a friend of mine played the Paul's Boutique record for me trying to convince me. I was hooked after that.
X. Aside from the songs you've sampled, remixed, incorporated, etc. into both Beastie Brown & Beastie Brown Deluxe, what's your personal favorite Beastie Boys track?
Jazzsoon: Definitely gotta say "Flute Loop" is my favorite Beasties song. I used to Rewind that over and over and over and over again. Not too far behind would be "Get It Together" Feat. Q-Tip.