THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Originally released on May 31, 1994, Ill Communication was much more than the record that returned Beastie Boys to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In short order, the fourth album from Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “Adrock” Horovitz and Adam “MCA” Yauch would become a multi-platinum juggernaut that pervaded every aspect of pop culture.
Ill Communication’s charge to global domination was led by Sabotage and its unforgettable Spike Jonze / Nathanial Hornblower-directed tribute to ’70s cop shows. Fans and critics alike were equally and instantly floored by hip-hop highlights like the opening Sure Shot, the classic Jimmy Smith homage Root Down and the Q-Tip collaboration Get It Together, while one magazine hailed Beastie Boys as “perhaps the most consistently innovative musicians to emerge out of hip hop.”
It was a claim that Ill Communication continues to back up, as the album’s infectious sprawl enthralls multiple generations of listeners. From household name hits to sublime instrumentals (Sabrosa, Ricky’s Theme) to hardcore punk workouts (Tough Guy, Heart Attack Man) and realms beyond (Bodhisattva Vow, Shambala), Ill Communication has never stopped growing in stature and impact.
The 30th anniversary of Ill Communication is being commemorated with the release of a three-LP Deluxe Edition that resurrects a rare version of the album that was originally released as a limited run in 2009, but is now long out of print and sought after by fans and collectors. The Ill Communication 30th anniversary edition features lenticular cover art and includes a third LP with 12 bonus tracks (featuring rarities including a live version of The Maestro from 1992’s Check Your Head, Mullet Head and 10 more remixes, B-sides and assorted oddities).
So fire up the turntable, dust off that Walkman and join in the celebration of 30 years of Ill Communication with Beastie Boys and the album’s supporting cast of Mario Caldato Jr. (who co-produced the record with the band), Money Mark, Eric Bobo, Amery “AWOL” Smith, Eugene Gore, Q-Tip and Biz Markie. Because you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop…”
