A classics question..

[Dj Alex]

Afternoon all,

This question is not designed to cause controversy or is it to put anyone down , but it is something that interests me a little . I dig a wide range of music , but as some may have or have not gathered , I like some great old music and enjoy some real deep underground classics . I really get off when dj's pull away from the "30 same classics" . And pull out somethin a little special . And I know that New York/NJ has a good respect for classics as well as Chicago - even though I have not been to Chi ! - been told etc .
I'm wondering does New York/New Jersey or Chicago
have events/nights where the people are getting this ? .
It's just that it seems that in the early late 80's early 90's a handful of dj's were pulling out some dope records maybe a bit different/altenative - or just taking a little more risk or beliveing "this is a dope record so I'm going to play it" . Or setting a vibe with their selection so they can introduce something a little special .
I think that a few of us here in the U.K are trying to push the envelope more as we don't hear those fast/slow spiritual jazzfunk/fusion/reggae joints so much .
Harv yawn.. was a don at doing this and to be real honest I have not heard to many dj's play as deep and I've heard some of the best imho .
Is this a dying thing because when the dj takes those risks or just goes with the feeling the crowd feel it at least imho .
How do you all feel about this , and for those who have been going out from that period why do think that time has changed ? .

Peace Alex .

I know people who vistied both cities late 80's/early 90's that heard some real crazy records . was that just a golden period ? .

[Dj Alex]

Sorry I stress I would not want to go to pure classics nights as I love new music as much . But is it mixed up as deep as it once was ? .

Peace Alex . ;)

[Rob.J]

Alex,

Off topic but do you know a chap living in the smoke from Brum called Bud.

Rob.

[mdpm99]

What may or may not lead me to hosting a particular recording:

1 - Lyrics/message in the song

2 - Quality of the recording i.e. the sonic trail

3 - Life Energy of the Performance/recording

4 - If it is a request

5 - A physic moment

d

Reasons to be Cheerful Pt. 2

[ July 06, 2003, 07:43 AM: Message edited by: david mancuso ]

[ramar]

Originally posted by Rob.J:
Alex,

Off topic but do you know a chap living in the smoke from Brum called Bud.

Rob.

sure, we know Bud...

[Rob.J]

[img]graemlins/cheering.gif[/img]

please if you see him, tell him to mail me on

robertjohnston1@hotmail.com

and maybe we'll see ya soon.

[Rob.J]

Alex,

to answer your question from a UK perspective.

I really think it boils down to :

DRUGS...

I love various music of all BPM's and Styles of music BUT i was exposed to these varying styles when all my week(end) intake was a few beers and a bit of weed.

I still like varied music (with or without drugs) but without sounding like an old tit, we got down because we got down not because of any Class A's ( they are fun and i do still partake ) but i will not let them dicate my night..( they have done in latter part of the 90's :( )

So the bottom line is younger people ( not all [img]smile.gif[/img] ), if the tempo, vibe of the song is not working in tandem with the drugs ( or the drugs have not worked ) they tend not to be interested, whereas (sp) i would still get off on the tune beacuse it's still a damm good record!!

drugs: tempo

drugs: quality

There are still old and new songs that play off of our natural emotions and thats where we need to head back to...
:D
cheers rob.

[Dj Alex]

Originally posted by david mancuso:
What may or may not lead me to hosting a particular recording:

1 - Lyrics/message in the song

2 - Quality of the recording i.e. the sonic trail

3 - Life Energy of the Perfomance/recording

4 - If it is a request

5 - A physic moment

d

Reasons to be Cheerful Pt. 2

Hello David,

Your good self have and still is responsible for setting that sound David - your free ,rich Loft style music the open minded aproach , playing rock,disco,Jazz fusion, reggae etc . And it seems apparent to me that the Loft/Choice were havens for music like that to be played .
I 'm interested in why that open aproach has changed so much and that is would seem apparent to me that it still works even more on our dancefloors than ever ! .
To hear a great jazz record at Plastic's at like 3 in the morn in fantastic . Or hearing and watching the dancers go off to Bobby Hutcherson at Shelter at midday hit me straight in the heart and head .
I wanna experience more of this you know ? .

Peace Alex . :D

[FK]

Originally posted by Dj Alex: I wanna experience more of this you know ?

Hello Alex,

Would this be the kind of thing you are talking about?

Or maybe this one ? (dedicated to the memory of Miss Nina Simone)

[Rob.J]

FK.

re. this

I hope we're gonna get some of this at the big chill. [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img]

do you have times yet??

thanks

rob

[Rob.J]

Learn To Luv Yourself
Kim English
FK ambient mix

i only have the mood II swing mixes, where is this available, or where can i hear it.

[FK]

Originally posted by david mancuso:


1 - Lyrics/message in the song
2 - Quality of the recording i.e. the sonic trail
3 - Life Energy of the Perfomance/recording
4 - If it is a request
5 - A physic moment

[img]graemlins/respekt.gif[/img] to DM, and thanks for the inspiration that allowed so much else to exist today for the rest of us.

(Direct quote from Larry Levan during a private conversation): "There are a lot of DJ's out there, but his selection is so flawless, and the way he uses those records to tell a story, no one else can deeply touch you the same way David does when he plays his music. No one.....He's like the Grand Wizard!"

I mean, to keep it in perspective, where else could you go to listen to Ahmad Jamal, Third World, Pink Floyd, Bohannon and Van Morrison the same morning?

Personal note: David himself would probably acknowledge that he learns so much from the crowd because he has always allowed them to express themselves and be totally comfortable at his parties, which happened at his home, and where people were invited. The key to Alex's question is therefore, how many people throw their own parties, rather than work for a club? How many people are able to express their unrestricted artistic vision, or are given the time to nurture a nascent one, as well as create a welcoming community atmosphere even before the first note of music is heard?

I better stop, anyway someone has written a book about it, telling it much better than I ever could.

One of the many Loft students....

[FK]

Originally posted by Rob.J:
FK.

re. this

I hope we're gonna get some of this at the big chill. [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img]

do you have times yet??

thanks

rob

Yes, that is - of course - my intention exactly, as it will be the perfect setting for this kind of vibe. Sadly, I do not remember being given exact set times yet. Will try and update this info when I get it myself.

Will also be playing a 'Deep Space' night at Plastic People the next evening, on August 2nd.

[FK]

Originally posted by Rob.J:
Learn To Luv Yourself - Kim English - FK ambient mix / i only have the mood II swing mixes, where is this available, or where can i hear it.

It's on the original Nervous Records US 12", along with the Mood II Swing original production....

[Rob.J]

thank you..

You and david take time.....which a lot of the newer so called "big names" do not ( i understand they are busy, but no doubt so are you, it only takes a couple of words on a decent thread to let us know you care ) and that means a hell of a lot and shows your undoubted commitment to this thing we LOVE.

Sorry about the grammer.

thank you both [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img]

cheers rob.

[ July 05, 2003, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: Rob.J ]

[s parris]

Will also be playing a 'Deep Space' night at Plastic People the next evening, on August 2nd

François, I very much look forward to this night as I sadly missed out on Deep Space when I was in NYC recently .... see you then [img]smile.gif[/img]

SP

[mdpm99]

FK:

Excerpt from above quote:

"The key to Alex's question is therefore, how many people throw their own parties, rather than work for a club? How many people are able to express their unrestricted artistic vision, or are given the time to nurture a nascent one, as well as create a welcoming community atmosphere even before the first note of music is heard?"

--FK

Greetings:

I always have to keep in mind that there are many situations out there that make it very difficult for the DJ to be of peace of mind and to do what they love to do most....and that is to present music. I am amazed by the perseverance of most DJ's.

As often as one can, one should throw "their own party," even if it is in your own apt and there are only 25 people. Also start kepting a mailing list with home/e mail address.

d

God Bless the Child (that's got his own)
--Billie Holiday

[ramar]

Originally posted by Rob.J:
[img]graemlins/cheering.gif[/img]

please if you see him, tell him to mail me on

robertjohnston1@hotmail.com

and maybe we'll see ya soon.

ok Rob...
[img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Dj Alex]

Originally posted by FK:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dj Alex: I wanna experience more of this you know ?

Hello Alex,

Would this be the kind of thing you are talking about?

Or maybe this one ? (dedicated to the memory of Miss Nina Simone) </font>[/QUOTE]Hello Francois ,

Thanks for dropping in on this topic , you have been one of the few who has always pulled something nice to bless my ears with as with alot of my crew and others . From mu memories of you playing Sade and Vangelis at Fabric to my regular haunt of Plastic People first weekend playing Pat metheny - 5 in the morn [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] other things like Abillity 2 and so much more .
I fully agree that if you are not hearing other music that you may be re/discovering out at the clubs then start your own . And as David also mentioned it does not take many just a few with the right attidude and spirit .
Because evidence has proven that when alot of different music is played and played well vibe/time of night and morn , it can be a very deep and meaningful experience .
Most mainstream clubs and bars from my own playing experience are interested in keeping the bar busy . They have a business to run and music can be the least of their priorities .
But what I do notice more and more is that people respond to good music - period and look somewhat refreshed when they get something else .
When a dj really expresses this mode of thought then that is when i'm in that zone .

I wanted to get back to my original question as well . From the late 80's early 90's did this musical aproach lessen from the parties and become more formula and why was this .
David still plays with that spirit and is a master selector for playing that record at the right time , and very aware of the present moment .

Peace and thanks Alex .

P.S FK those playlists are real nice and free with a heavy influence on dub . Really dug the last Plastic session where you crossed over many musics . We all stayed to the very end when you kindly gave us a "present for staying till the end" - a Wave sticker ha ha ..
See you August 2nd when I will be celebrating my 30th - Aug 3rd . Could'nt be better ! :D

[Dj Alex]

Anyone else care to contribute one of my questions is still lingering .

Peace Al ;) ex .

[erd]

Just a thought that is in my head for quite a long time now. Soemtimes that whole club/dance music thing as it is proceeded nowadys feels like a vicious circle. Id est, the people start to become more and more narrow minded for whatsoever reasons, so the selectors try to keep the dance floor moving (which is a very professional thing to do and as we all the know the first and foremost task of a discjockey, blah, blah, blah). So both the selector and the crowd are afraid of each other which leads to playing safe. Not enough environments left where deejays can do their thing. I have never heard Harvey playing live, but I can think of one or two underground clubs here in Frankfurt where the people would leave the dance floor for sure, if he starts doing his free style thing. As much as I would love to hear him...maybe some places in teh US are a differnet, but Europe gets really tight. At least that is my observation in the last years. So selsctors who have to make a living out of music, got to deliver what the people want to hear. I experrienced one or two examples of that recently...

Peace.

Gerd

[Dj Alex]

Originally posted by gj:
Just a thought that is in my head for quite a long time now. Soemtimes that whole club/dance music thing as it is proceeded nowadys feels like a vicious circle. Id est, the people start to become more and more narrow minded for whatsoever reasons, so the selectors try to keep the dance floor moving (which is a very professional thing to do and as we all the know the first and foremost task of a discjockey, blah, blah, blah). So both the selector and the crowd are afraid of each other which leads to playing safe. Not enough environments left where deejays can do their thing. I have never heard Harvey playing live, but I can think of one or two underground clubs here in Frankfurt where the people would leave the dance floor for sure, if he starts doing his free style thing. As much as I would love to hear him...maybe some places in teh US are a differnet, but Europe gets really tight. At least that is my observation in the last years. So selsctors who have to make a living out of music, got to deliver what the people want to hear. I experrienced one or two examples of that recently...

Peace.

Gerd

Hello Gerd,

That is definetly a problem but we will persevere when and where we can right ! . Harvey was and still is a very profesional dj though and would slip back to playing an obvious record or floorfiller - I love those to ! . Harv was probably the deepest when it came to playing somehthing other though .
On a good night he would set off that flame again for finding interesting music and knew about vibing off people choosing the right records and times to play them . He cared or at least that's how I felt .
And he always used to get better as it got later . I would be at alot of his gigs , sometimes on my own but that's great and think " shit I got to get up early in the morning but if I leave now I'm going to miss something and 95% of the time you'd get treats Steely dan being some later fav's .
He was the only british dj I had heard play Gaz Nevada - I.C Love Affair at like 5 in the morn to a handful of people . I had to respect that cos that was a good few years ago .
Like I think Nick Jones had commented on David and the Loft "David had always somehting nice to play" .
Harv was the same .

Peace Alex :D

[erd]

Don't get me wrong, Alex, I would love to hear Harvey live, and in fact are thinking about bringing him over, but I'm really afraid that people won't dig it and just to have him for my own sake is a little bit selfish...

Btw, do you know what is going on on Notting Hill Carnival Weekend at Plastic People? I'm thinking about coming over...

Peace.

Gerd

[beaniboy67]

Im not really going to say anything on this thread!!Im too scared to simply because fk and David mancuso are posting!

I think ive got deep disco fame fright! lol
All i need now is Frankie,AK and Timmy reg to join and ill faint!!

Na on a serious note i just think its amazing that people like you lot come here and educate people like me on topics of this nature!!

[img]graemlins/respekt.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Tee Cee 13]

Originally posted by Dj Alex:
Anyone else care to contribute one of my questions is still lingering .

Peace Al ;) ex .

I hope this is the one D.J. Alex... I did a set every other friday at a Lounge called Boogaloo in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Where I played alot of Jazz and Disco Classics. The owner of the Lounge still calls me to do another set from time to time.. I just don't have the time anymore... If I do another in the future I'll sure let you know about it.....


[img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] Oh by the way really good questions...