Brainfreeze (album)

Brainfreeze is a collaboration album by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, released in 1999. It is a live DJ mix album showcasing their turntable skills and extensive vinyl record collections. The album is notable for its use of funk, soul, and breakbeat samples, expertly blended and manipulated in a rapid-fire, seamless mix.

Brainfreeze was recorded live at a small club in San Francisco and is known for its high energy and intricate layering of sounds. The tracks are not individually listed on the album; instead, it presents a continuous mix intended to be listened to as a whole. The selection of records featured spans various genres but maintains a strong emphasis on classic breaks and obscure gems, highlighting the DJs' deep knowledge and appreciation for music history.

The album gained significant underground acclaim and is considered a landmark release in the turntablism and mixtape genres. It influenced many DJs and producers with its innovative approach to mixing and sampling, proving that turntables could be used as legitimate musical instruments. Following the success of Brainfreeze, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist continued to collaborate on other similar mix projects.