Mixing up their magic again

EVERY artist waits for that legendary accident -- the moment of just messing around that produces something stunning. For turntable stars and occasional collaborators Cut Chemist (born Lucas McFadden) and DJ Shadow (born Josh Davis), the flash came in 1999. They called it “Brainfreeze.”

Rehearsing for a San Francisco show that had the pair on four decks, spinning rare funk and soul 45s, the former Jurassic 5 DJ and the groundbreaking solo artist hit upon a union of atmospherics, trick, hot breaks and sweet spots that approached the genius of the greatest DJ mixes. The limited-edition release of that practice tape, dubbed “Brainfreeze,” soon became one of hip-hop’s most sought-after rarities.

Shadow and Chemist haven’t performed “Brainfreeze” in five years. Tonight is a reunion-worthy occasion: a benefit for graphic artist Keith Tamashiro, whose Soap Design Co. has created the artwork for releases by many hip-hop notables and who is recovering from a brain aneurysm.

The all-new live “Brainfreeze” caps a bill including Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, the Beat Junkies, Supernatural, Mad Lib and MF Doom. Chemist and Shadow, who both have new solo albums coming out in the summer, shared a phone line to discuss their long friendship and its effect on their music:

Times: How much of your collaboration is motivated by rivalry and how much by love?

DJ Shadow: It’s like two mountain climbers. One won’t get up the mountain without the other. We have to get it together and come up with something really cool; we’re both doing our best to keep raising the bar. The rivalry’s not between each other, it’s against the last set we did.

Times: What have you learned from each other over the years?

Cut Chemist: So much! I’ve been feeling a void since we’ve last worked together. Josh challenges me to keep doing things that interest me. His is the voice that says dig a little deeper.

DJ Shadow: Luc’s got a good B-boy [bull] detector. I’ll have an idea and not be sure about it. I’ll look up at him; I’m looking for that detector, to let me know if it could work or if it’s not really happening.

Cut Chemist: But there are times when he’ll see something that I don’t. Then the blend will start happening and I’ll go ... you’re right!

Times: What’s the moment when you’re spinning together that feels like pure magic?

Cut Chemist: It’s usually when we don’t anticipate things working. To me there’s no better trick than the perfect blend between two records, and we try to create one with four records. Maybe the ones we match up will be in tune but they won’t be in time; maybe they’ll connect unexpectedly. That’s the most Zen moment, when we look at each other and go, oh, that’s hot.

Times: If you could name one skill you’ve seen your friend pick up since 1999, what would it be?

Cut Chemist: His vocabulary keeps growing. His tools. Josh works harder than anybody I know -- he has thousands of records, and he really listens. When he chooses to reference something, you know he thoroughly knows that record.

DJ Shadow: I’ve branched off on various kicks since the original “Brainfreeze,” listening to different styles and genres, and it’s the same with Luc. We haven’t spent that much time together recently, and coming back and seeing all these crazy African records he’s picked up, I’m like, you’ve got to make me a list!

Times: If there’s one move you could cop from each other, what would it be?

DJ Shadow: I wish I could flare [an advanced scratching technique] better and come up with unique scratch patterns. Being a DJ the way Cut was for Jurassic 5, always knowing you have to do a solo during shows, forces you to constantly be advancing that skill. Whereas me, nah. When it’s solo time, it’s joke city. I envy his ability to do his best in front of a crowd.

Cut Chemist: We’ll see if that holds up [tonight]. For me, it’s got to be Josh’s selection process. Every time he pulls out a record, it’s like ... I need to stop practice flaring and go record shopping.

Times: One last question. As partners, are you more like Lennon and McCartney, Sonny and Cher, or Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo?

Cut Chemist: All of them at once. There are definitely some Sonny and Cher moments.

DJ Shadow: That’s where the onstage abuse comes in!

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Word of Mouth Meets Brainfreeze

What: Benefit show for Keith Tamashiro, featuring Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Cut Chemist, DJ Shadow, Beat Junkies and Supernatural

Where: Mayan Theatre, 1038 S. Hill St., Los Angeles

When: 7 tonight

Price: $75

Info: (213) 746-4287; www.myspace.com/ktgetwell