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

What's Goin' On 'Ere ay? (none / 0) (#9)
by bill fragos on Fri Dec 3rd, 2004 at 04:47:40 PM CST
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Much respect to all the comments!

It's obvious that I wouldn't "rate" DJs in the same way you do Ben. I don't think it's something capable of analysis to the extent or in the way you have put forward. For me it's really about a vast number of things but at the same time one thing.

As for a Ben James chart, well, I sense you fear people turning around and saying: "it's old". Who cares? It's about what you like at a certain time and informing and promoting that to others for their benefit and for your benefit. To me, a chart assists in what I raised above regarding "identity". There are also several examples of where I have charted tracks that have been out a while, where I have "revisited" them and started liking them more eg Jon Cutler "Runnin" (Debut on SoulGood in Oct but charted Nov), Hool vs Bruckheimer "In the Beginning", Superchumbo "Dirty Filthy" etc.

Regarding avoiding requests, let's just say I don't play where you play : ). Some venues and nights are conducive to being interrupted by others, especially when one considers the way the venue/console is physically set up. No person can force you to play at a venue where this happens (if you are bothered by it). If you don't like it then stop playing at those venues where it happens. Or alternatively, have a word with owners, promoters, DJs, security and "clubbers" about it and feel out what they think. My preferred alternative is to promote oneself and invite one's own "crew" to performances.

As to analysing the "intelligence" of an audience: the reason why I have placed in quotes (both here and above) is because I believe it's preferable to view the situation in terms of appreciation (You'll also see this in my previous post) and purpose. The answer for me comes back to promoting oneself and identifying with people. Being a DJ (to me) is more than playing records, entertaining people, connecting with them and mutual appreciation and respect. There is a significant level of promotion involved that comes with the territory. This way, those who identify will hopefully come to venues. I don't think it's entirely beneficial to constantly second-guess whether people are "intelligent enough" or capable of appreciating what one plays or is about to play. There will inevitably be an element of "feeling" the crowd and the environment that's generated, but not to the extent of "analysing" the crowd. For me, an important thing is to put "identity" and "soul" into the music. To other DJs, this answer will be different, as their reasons for DJing and what they want to achieve in their performances is different. It's all good.

In response to DB, as I reiterate, I don't oppose the fact that they are a DJs who play "popular" tracks; it allows me to be noticed by others. But I will say that anyone can mix records starting from the last breakdown (or 8/16/24/32 bars after) and then bring in the next track with the bass cut out and then slowly bring it up etc then dropping into the first breakdown of the next track. On several levels I would have less appreciation for an "underground" DJ who follows the standard formula compared to a DJ who plays more "popular" tracks but who key mixes, who plays dubs and accapellas of multiple tracks at the same time who works the crowd and works the tracks they play. (Hope that gives you something to think about).

By the way Crispian, I don't disrespect some other DJs for the "popular" tracks they play; I disrespect them as some of those DJs are tools : D

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

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