Cut Chemist Live on KCRW, Teases Next Album

Cut Chemist told us his Sound of the Police set – performed with just one turntable and loop pedals – is the hardest he’s ever had to play live. And that’s saying a lot for an artist that is constantly challenging himself. He’s a technician for sure and watching him from Master Control this morning, none of us could take our eyes off his hands. He moves fast and it’s really fascinating to watch him in action, essentially taking listeners on a trip around the world with record after record.

We assumed he practiced quite a bit, but he told Jason he doesn’t really because he’s trying to focus on making new music instead of practicing what he’s already made. Though he does leave a lot of room for improvising, for when things go wrong.

Yesterday morning, nothing went wrong. And the perfectionist himself even admitted it was a great set. He followed up with a second set of remixes, including his take on Tune-Yards’ “Gangsta”, Nat King Cole’s “Day In Day Out”, and more.

Enjoy a set from one of the finest turntablists in the world (he truly is…and it just so happens the LA local was headed to Japan after his MBE appearance!)

He also teased his next album, due in Spring 2012, which will lean more towards European industrial music and SoCal punk and less toward world music. He says he loves all genres and the shift reflects some “personal stuff” he’s experienced in the last few years. He gave us a preview with the final track “Outro“.

RR

by Larry Hirshowitz