Mike E. Clarke's Psychopathic Murder Mix Vol. 1 CD

Audio Mixer: Mike E. Clark .
Recording information: Funhouse Studio.
Detroit mixboard legend Mike E. Clark is known for his swirlingly funky bottoms, most often at the behest of Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J and their Faygo-fueled ICP madness. Hence, it's only logical that he should create a mixtape for the group's Psychopathic Records. MURDER MIX VOL. 1 is a cornucopia of sinister, semi-sadistic beats and twists featuring a Who's Who of Motor City horror hip-hop, from Twiztid, to underrated rhyme-master Esham.
A year after he ruled American radio with his work on Kid Rock's Warren Zevon/Lynyrd Skynyrd-mashing single "All Summer Long," producer Mike E. Clark returned to the house he arguably built, the Psychopathic record label. This Murder Mix keeps the mashing going as it remixes the label's biggest hits, fan favorites, and some of Clark's best work for the imprint, which are essentially all one and the same, at least for those not hung up on the mythology behind house acts Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid. The mix strips away the big concepts -- like ICP's "Joker Card" story that stretched across six releases -- and presents Psychopathic's vision of horror show hip-hop in short stabs of sleaze and sickness. The kinetic productions combine the influence of old-school electro with the funk flavor of Clark's former employer George Clinton, plus you can catch a bit of Danny Elfman's sense of humor in the Oingo Boingo-like mad-clown melodies. The great leveler for those who pride themselves on having "taste" will be ICP, Esham, and Twiztid's constant snickering at murder, mayhem, and suburban parents who just don't understand, but if you can forgive all the shock tactics and vulgar language, you just might get stuck on a hook that is equally ridiculous and infectious (try "Chicken Pluckin Huntin" for starters). Some titles are rejiggered to reflect the remixing, and "Southwest Mash-Up" is two old ICP cuts colliding -- so if you're looking for a proper introduction to the cottage industry that is Psychopathic, you'll be coming in through the side door. Anyone who thinks Clark is the label's driving force will appreciate all this evidence, while fan club members will get some deconstructions to relish. ~ David Jeffries