The Hard Sell

Last updated
The Hard Sell
Album The Hard Sell.png
Live album by
ReleasedJanuary 2007
Genre Hip hop
Length69:40
Label Pillage Roadshow
Producer DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist
DJ Shadow chronology
Live at Brixton Academy December 2006
(2006)
The Hard Sell
(2007)
Bay Area EP
(2007)
Cut Chemist chronology
The Audience's Listening
(2006)
The Hard Sell
(2007)
The Hard Sell (Encore)
(2008)
Alternate cover
The Hard Sell alternate cover.png

The Hard Sell is a live DJ mix album by American music producers and turntablists DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, released in January 2007. The album is a recording of a rehearsal by the two producers for a June 2007 show at the Hollywood Bowl.

Contents

Background and recording

In 2007, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist were invited to perform at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater in Los Angeles, California. [1] With the opportunity to be the first headlining turntablists in the history of the venue, they accepted the invitation. [1] The Hard Sell was recorded during rehearsals for their June 2007 Hollywood Bowl show. [2] The album is primarily a DJ mix of various 7-inch vinyl singles, similar in nature to the previous DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist albums Brainfreeze (1999) and Product Placement (2001). [3] Before recording, the two spent several days listening to potential candidates for inclusion on the set; during the process, they eventually started to "narrow down a theme and feel based on [their] feelings about music at the time." [4] According to DJ Shadow, the two sought to "push the boundaries of good taste" by putting together a set "that would alternatively make people smile and nod their head, and the next moment throw them off their balance and think 'Whoa, I'm not sure if I'm down with this.'" [4] Eight turntables, four mixers, and two guitar pedals were utilized in creating the mix. [2]

Professional ratings
Review scores
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Track listing

  1. "The Hard Sell (Part I)" – 42:27
  2. "The Hard Sell (Part II)" – 27:13

Samples

"The Hard Sell (Part I)"

"The Hard Sell (Part II)"

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References

  1. 1 2 "DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist: The Hard Sell". DJ Shadow. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  2. 1 2 The Hard Sell (liner notes). DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist. Pillage Roadshow. HS001.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Echlin, Hobey (February 7, 2008). "Single-Minded Funkiness". OC Weekly . Costa Mesa. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Davis, Josh. "'Ask DJ Shadow' Answers *updated*". DJ Shadow. Retrieved September 4, 2013.