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Soul Good Top 10 (November 2004) | 24 comments (24 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Ahh Zimelaya.... (none / 0) (#3)
by Ben James on Fri Dec 3rd, 2004 at 03:47:31 AM CST
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Great choon...where'd ya hear about that one?!

And by the way - could you really type for hours?

Ben James.

[ Parent ]

Respect (none / 0) (#4)
by bill fragos on Fri Dec 3rd, 2004 at 12:04:14 PM CST
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Thanks for posting your thoughts. What I play on Soul Good does not always reflect how I would play a "live" set. The intention of SoulGood is to push new music and it is a difficult task to play all new music in a fluid and seamless way, especially when working within the confines of sponsorship/advertising breaks. Ben, I don't agree with you that you place more importance on the skill of track selection than I do. However, I would gladly accept a challenge in a club to see who has the better "set construction"! (Feel the testosterone building up!).

As I stated in November 2003 at the start of the post, the Soul Good (Top 10) Charts are a list of my top (ten) tracks for a particular month. These tracks were played either on SoulGood or at my sets. They are retrospective. I agree that I don't disclose the tracks I am after. There are many reasons for this. These include that I have not "tested" the tracks myself and from a practical point of view it is very difficult to do, as the list of tracks would frequently change. I do share what I have played and I believe people can wait four weeks (maximum) for my next chart. The alternative of course is people can simply listen to SoulGood, my extended radio sets or come to my "live" sets. It is an interesting request (for a "desired" tracks chart), considering very few DJs (in Adelaide) post a chart! (Where's the Ben James chart or the Jon Whiley Chart?). I will add that many secretive DJs aren't one step ahead at all; in fact they are several steps behind to those who do know what they are playing. That is my experience.

I was very clear to specify that I have an "each to their own" attitude. I am not particularly concerned if a DJ plays one "popular" track after another. I wouldn't play one "popular" track after another as it is not "me" (or my identity or how I am identified). Do "popular" track playing DJs hinder the promotion of new or better or cooler tracks? Of course, as after all, such a DJ would play a "popular" track in place of another new or better or cooler track.

Does this ruin the scene? Not necessarily. It makes other DJs more desirable to those with an acquired taste (and less desirable to those with "popular" tastes). This creates a distinction between DJs and thus reinforcing their "identity". However, I would not disrespect another DJ simply because they do play "popular" tracks. DJs should learn the meaning of respect; both for each other and for a crowd. The crowd will inevitably vote with their feet as to whether they like and identify with tracks and a DJ. Who is in that crowd depends on a number of factors, including but not limited to the DJs, the owners, the promoters and the door staff. If you are concerned about receiving "cheesy" or "popular" requests then you should ask yourself why are such people requesting tracks and why are they there anyway? If they are listening to SAFM (a popular radio station in Adelaide) they are unlikely to be "clubbers", or at very least, do not appreciate a "clubbing mentality". Of course, it really depends on whether the venue in question is a club or bar or is a "night" that shares a "club" mentality or whether it is simply there to make as much money as possible from the door and at the bar and have some "enjoyable" music on at the same time.

The question was asked "are we not in danger of over estimating the intelligence of our audiences?" Not at all. I think such an attitude is condescending and patronising to many people. Intelligence is not only what someone knows but also their ability to learn, appreciate and grasp issues. There are many things one can do to ensure an "intelligent" or appreciative audience, and if this is a real concern to a DJ then they should do something about it and make certain decisions and choices.

The point whether a well-recognised DJ and an unrecognisable DJ play the same set (not sure how this would be possible) and this leading to a different response from an audience is an issue that has little to do with the music, as it is the only constant in the equation. The same could be said about U2 playing the same gig as an unrecognisable band. It's not so much about the music or intelligence of the audience, but has more to do with an image or "simulation" and a history, anticipation and the excitement that follows from the image associated with that person/group. (Yes I was a bloody arts student and have studied post-modernism/post structuralism, deconstructionism and the writings of Jean Baudrillard). If you are concerned about "image" then start promoting yourself and create a "name" or "branding" etc. Just don't call it "SoulGood" or "Soul Generation" as you'll be infringing on certain intellectual property rights and I'll get nasty. : )

I hope these thoughts give you something to think about and discuss.

Respect.

By the way Jon Whiley, not all DJs are male, and Zamaleya (Afro EP) by Copyright first came out in August 2004. ; )

[ Parent ]

Game on! (none / 0) (#5)
by Ben James on Fri Dec 3rd, 2004 at 01:26:13 PM CST
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1 - Bill I think you misunderstood one of my points - evidenced by your comment:

"Ben, I don't agree with you that you place more importance on the skill of track selection than I do."

I in no way meant I have better track selection than you, it's obvious to both of us I don't.

I meant when rating a DJ, I would place 'track selection' higher up or give it a greater weighting than you would. E.G. if someone says 'what's makes a good DJ', I might say is 'tune selection counts for 50%, beat mixing counts for 20%, set direction 30%...etc' where as I feel you would say 'tune selection counts for x<50%...etc'

See my point?

2 - As for the Ben James chart, I don't believe I'm that on top of the game to be giving other's advice, by way of top 10 lists.

3 - Re: "If you are concerned about receiving "cheesy" or "popular" requests then you should ask yourself why are such people requesting tracks are and why are they there anyway?"
Where are you playing that you aren't receiving requests for cheese and popular tunes?
What are your answers to the questions you pose?

4 - Re: "Intelligence is not only what someone knows but also their ability to learn, appreciate and grasp issues. There are many things one can do to ensure an "intelligent" or appreciative audience, and if this is a real concern to a DJ then they should do something about it and make certain decisions and choices."
I agree with your broader definition of intelligence, but how can you be so sure you can never overestimate it?
If the intelligence is finite, is it totally inconceivable that your estimate is above this?
Isn't there even a remote chance that the crowd does not have the ability to appreciate and grasp new music to the same level as you Bill? I think you underestimate yourself. Who's on your level?
Furthermore, if this is a real concern to me, what actions and decisions and choices can I make?
Help me help myself!

5 - Re: "The point whether a well-recognised DJ and an unrecognisable DJ play the same set (not sure how this would be possible) and this leading to a different response from an audience is an issue that has little to do with the music"
I'm not entirely sure what your take on this was...it seems as though you agree on this, that's why you've created an image of SoulGood and of Bill Fragos (we often hear 'Inthemix...with Bill Fragos' during your SG sets and Mix@6 sets.) Is your feeling of what Jon pointed out that 'yes it's a fact of life so if you can't beat it join it' i.e. start creating an image or brand?

Eagerly awaiting your response...

Ben James.

[ Parent ]

That word. (none / 0) (#6)
by crispian on Fri Dec 3rd, 2004 at 03:15:50 PM CST
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However, I would not disrespect another DJ simply because they do play "popular" tracks.

That's a filthy, dirty lie, and you know it, chum.

bo.

[ Parent ]

Female DJs? (none / 0) (#7)
by Jon Whiley on Fri Dec 3rd, 2004 at 03:22:36 PM CST
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Haha... well of course there are, some things get written out in the name of being reader friendly!

I agree, many secretive DJs aren't 'one step ahead' at all, but by keeping the odd 'secret weapon', they may feel they're retaining something that separates them from their colleagues. This might be for several reasons, not least of all insecurity and lack of belief in their own skills. I recently let a friend borrow two of my 'secret weapons', and I still feel naked! Very strange...
Bill, your secret weapon is the fact that you invest so much time and energy in finding new and fresh tracks, this is unmatched by anyone I know. I think you underestimate your edge here... well earned by the way!

As to the 'intelligence' of the audience, I have to agree with Ben here, you are gracing too many with your level of interest in the music. Certainly it may be the case with SoulGood on FreshFm, as the audience is more heavily comprised of music listeners, but in a club environment I think this component of the audience is lacking. The club audience, in the main, are 'partyers' as opposed to listeners, many will leave without appreciating what new sounds graced their ears, and many will not even know who has just played.
I think it is more appropriate to address 'desire', rather than refer to intelligence. By this I mean what exactly the audience wants from the experience. The people that sit down in front of the radio and tune into SoulGood, craving the latest releases, can be the same as those who stand in the front row and shout for 'Call On Me'. I include myself in this category. The reasons? Where do you start... intoxication perhaps!

A Jon Whiley Top Ten? well I'll start with a couple that I can't get enough of at the moment... all been about for a couple of months:
Bongoloverz - Power Of Music (Dub)... massive smile factor:)
Toby Neal - Join The Dots... just can't not move to it... and...
Alter Ego - Rocker... mad tune I just love.

Liking your number One Bill, Dirty Filthy... it was my September Top tune ;) lol...

Take Care.

[ Parent ]

Indeed... (none / 0) (#10)
by Ben James on Fri Dec 3rd, 2004 at 08:54:53 PM CST
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Yeah wikkid choon...

Had it as my July '98 release to look out for...

+_+

We luv ya Billy.

[ Parent ]

Soul Good Top 10 (November 2004) | 24 comments (24 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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