Adrian Matejka’s mixology could very easily be read with a solid beat pulsing in the background keeping time. His poetry is raw yet refined and still the kind of poetry that demands multiple reads not only for sheer enjoyment but also for its complexity and insightful inquires. I could not put down Mixology nor could I simply skim through any of the poems.
With an urban feel Matejka brings to light musical references that are almost so subtle one could easily read over them with blinking. For example the poem “Tommy Johnson (c. 1896-1956)” is one entire musical reference. Tommy Johnson was a famous blues musician. The very first line is a reference to the kind of blues musician and character Tommy Johnson actually was as Matejka writes, “there’s jake leg blues in this box.” Jake was a common aliment associated with drinking the then popular medication called Jamaican Ginger. This liquid was formulated to go around the prohibition laws and was especially popular with southern blues musicians. Jake leg was reference to the way an individual walked when they drank too much of the Jamaican ginger. The nerves that helped the toes function properly in order for one to walk were severely hindered.
This is only a small snippet of the depth and detail Adrian Matejka has gone into with Mixology. I believe this collection of poetry even though quite musical in its references can be thoroughly enjoyed by any reader.
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