This came out in 2000 — or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
It’s no accident that Beastie Boys recruited Mixmaster Mike Schwartz as their DJ: In a scene full of beat-biters and copycats, this Bay Area turntablist continues to be one of a kind.
His latest EP Eye Of The Cyclops — 11 tracks that form a four-part megmix inspired by everything from cheap detective shows and Japanese movies to Star Wars — has all he innovative beats, inspired blends and supersonic scratching of his last full-length Anti-Theft Device. Plus it also shows off the traits that really separate him from the wack pack and undoubtedly endear him to the Beasties: His clever sense of humour (Trashcan’s backbeat sounds like just that; Harsky & Starch goofs on funky ’70s private-eye themes) and his musical approach to his medium. Whether he’s using his stylus as a lead guitar or speed-flicking the crossfader as a poor man’s tremolo, Mike’s world-class skills are more than enough to pay the bills.
