Re: the name game

Marc Wright (mw@eis.net.au)
Fri, 06 Jun 1997 09:29:06 +1000


At 13:08 5/06/97 PDT, you wrote:
>
>Dear List:
>Im ticked off at the guy who got angry at the person who
>used the word "down-tempo. " Add that to the fact that many of
>these same people hate the word trip-hop , and you have a situation
>where people atre mad at any label you use for the slow
>(mostly), instumental break beat music ,with odd noises
>&scratching that we all have come to love.
>

I know evryone is going to say 'Here we go again - the label discussion',
but I never really contributed to the previous discussions so I'll have me
say now.

I agree totally with Mark! I know a lot of people don't like labels, but
I'll continue to use 'em, as it makes my life easier when trying to find
more of the same.

Just because the record-buying public and the media might use the terms,
doesn't mean it restricts the artists or their direction in any way.

If I want to delve into some Goa, or punk, or blues, or trip-hop, I know
exactly where to go in the record shop, without haven't to sift through
thousands of albums I have no interest in. And if I go to the record review
section of a magazine, I know to pass over hard-core, and go straight to
the down-tempo, or leftfield, or weirdbeat, or trip-hop, section.

To me the term Acid Jazz has become no longer useful, as it seems to
encompass an absolutely *huge* variety of differing styles. Acid Jazz,
trip-hop, jungle plus lots more, are all discussed on the AJ list (not
complaining - I love this variety of discussion)

The music we love breaks boundaries by its very nature, so new names for
the new styles are simply going to happen - 'cause the media and the public
*need* them.

If I didn't see the words 'Cup of Tea' and 'trip-hop' used in the same
sentance I never would have discovered that label. Same goes with
Australia's Creative Vibes.

These categories ain't go to go away, and more of 'em will appear, so get
used to 'em.

Marc.