Earlier this week when several more credible blogs claimed to have a new track from The Beastie Boys’ upcoming record, The Mix Up, I approached the tune with heavy caution. Not because as a fan I was frightened that it wouldn’t live up to the high standards set by the Brooklyn punks’/rappers’/hip-hoppers’ back catalogue – but because how did I really know it was them?

Since the The Mix-Up is going to be an entirely instrumental affair, and therefore lacking the Beasties’ recognisable trademark vocals – how could I really know that Mike D, Adrock and MCA were responsible for the sounds I was hearing, and not some damn kids foolin’ ’round with GarageBand? Luckily, my qualms about the song’s authenticity were eased the instant the Beasties posted a video clip with the song in question, “The Rat Cage”, playing as the video’s soundtrack on their official blog.

Beastie Boys – The Rat Cage.mp3

And although I’m totally diggin’ on the bass riff-driven jam, I still think “The Rat Cage” has got nothing on the Ill Communication porn-tastic instrumental groove, “Sabrosa”. For those who don’t know it and need to get their lava lamp on, (oh shit, here it comes) ch-ch-ch-check it out:

Beastie Boys – Sabrosa.mp3

And to further fuel that funk-ladden, instrumental-jammin’ fire that I’ve started in your hearts, here’s a video of a live studio recording of another new Mix-Up tune, “Off The Grid”. Dig.