ok, let's go from the old issues to the new. so....
1. the previous compilation - this is tough. I, for one, know that although I
still like the track I made for the original compilation, I probably would
want to submit new material. I've expanded my studio greatly and have learned
a few more tricks. I imagine that many of the artists that were on that
compilation may have developed since then as well and may want the music that
represents them reflecting their current position in their musical evolution.
- so, I don't really know what we're supposed to do with the old stuff. This
is something that really needs to be considered as James apparently has put a
fair amount of work into it. James, I had no idea that you were still
laboring away on that project!!! I really thought it had dematerialized.
With regards to this issue I suggest that all the artists currently
represented on that compilation email me privately regarding their feelings
about using that material as *the* compilation, or whether or not they want to
include it at all, or what they want to do it. After I hear from everyone and
we all get to hear each other's feelings, we (I) will send a consensus email
to James about what to do with the old stuff.
I guess I must stress that it's really our (the collective musicians') and
James' decision what to do with the old tracks and since it could potentially
be an issue/roadblock as we consider the ultimate selection of tracks on the
compilation, it is crucial to have a collective understanding about what we
want to do with it. Also, there are probably a lot of people left out the
last time around, and since we haven't decided yet how the tracks will
ultimately be selected, it may be unfair to bias the track selection based on
what has been done already.
Returning to *now*, I think that a lot of the ideas in the past 24 hours of
posts are constructive. I can't believe how many people are ready to work on
this thing!!! Gordon, your liner notes would be invaluable. I definitely
think that the biographies are a fantastic idea and I think that this is
something that can be developed alongside the actual CD itself. But this
again suggests that we first have to figure out *who's* going to be
represented on this damn CD!!!!
Regarding coordination - I think that the tasks will be completed effectively
if the responsibilities are divided, so, Elson, no, we won't need you to
spearhead the whole effort. Your spark to get this thing started was probably
more than enough already! Kevin, your work groups are on target but still a
bit broad for the present purpose at hand, which is coalescence...we'll worry
about promotion/distribution later. I see the *initial* coordination of this
project being simply divided as follows:
Music work group: The purpose of this group will be to
First - get a complete and comprehensive list of people who are interested in
submitting music to the project
Second - figure out how much music we will actually have (some people are
questioning whether or not we have enough) to see if we can just include it
all or whether or not we have to devise a vote-based system of selection
Third - coordinate the uploading of sound samples to a web site for either
the purpose of voting if necessary or just giving all list members the
opportunity to preview the music. This site will eventually evolve into one
of our public forums for displaying the music on the CD if it's ever marketed,
as well as for selling it direct.
I think this can be run by two people:
one peforming the strategic/management role of coordinating the submissions,
etc.
and the other in the techincal role of taking all the tapes and converting
songs into files for preview/voting and dealing, in general, with utilizing
the web as one central point for progress on this project.
If nobody minds, I'd like to nominate myself for that first job, I think I can
do it well. And I think the person to help with the other role is dj herb,
who volunteered us the space on makeme.com. If anyone else wants to
participate in this function or has different opinions please let me know
because I'd like to get to work as soon as possible!
At the same time, I think all the people who have volunteered design help
should also find a central point person to coordinate those efforts - somebody
stand up and take charge there! I think that for the next couple of months
the designers should just start toying around with images and ideas and have
things ready for later. We should all probably vote on the artwork at some
point, but that's a little further down the road.
As for the rest - right now, we don't really need to take advantage of our
radio DJs, distributors, etc - you'll all have a bigger part to play when we
actually have something to show for our efforts. One step at a time, but we
do very much need you on board.
In sum, this is what should be done, IMHO:
1. All musicians who are represented on the previous compilation should email
me with their thoughts about whether or not they'd like to use that material
or new material.
2. All musicians who would like to be represented on the compilation should
email me with an indication of how many tracks they will send, a loose
description of the style of music (just good to know), and whether or not they
are currently working on anything else that they'd like to include but may
need a few weeks to complete.
3. DJ Herb, mail me about how easy you think it is to upload samples on a web
site and how much time it would take, and any other techincal considerations
you might have. Once I get a good list of all people interested I'll probably
have all of them send you tapes for uploading.
4. Designers, form your own working group and tell us what you plan to do at
some point.
Again, if anyone else wants to step up and coordinate #1 and #2, by all means
let me know, if not, all people who want to get music onto this CD should make
their presence be known!
Jay B