Mark Turner (mturner@netcom.com)
Mon, 31 May 1999 12:27:16 -0700 (PDT)
> After further reflection I have to reevaluate my stance and
> say that Mark is right, track selection is really the most
> important thing (at least for me) in a DJ set. But I have
> yet to hear one mix CD that can hold my attention for long,
> that I can listen to the whole way through. Another big
> factor is that there are many in the DJ Kicks series (almost
> all of Mark's favorites) that I haven't heard. Also, mixing
> abilities are never accurately represented on a mix CD,
> technical skills can be artificially inflated (ex: A. Parker)
> or deflated (ex: J. Atkins).
I'm glad you've seen the light, Jonathan. ;-) I agree with
your comment about Andrea Parker, but I don't think that studio
trickery compromises the value of the mix. It's just not a
"live" document, that's all.
> Perhaps the idea of a mix CD is just impractical; in a club
> I've been absolutely blown away by a DJ performance, but the
> same excitement of both good music and ingenious presentation
> never seems to make its way onto a recordable format, I guess
> the essential context is lacking.
Also, I think that home listening is a more critical environment
for a DJ mix. A lot of technical mistakes can be obscured by a
live sound system.
> Does anyone have a mix CD that she/he feels is outstanding?
> I have never been able to get a copy of the Coldcut JDJ one
> that everyone seems to think is the greatest ever. I had
> forgotten about the Nicolette contribution to the DJ Kicks
> series; even though I haven't heard it, I remember the comments
> portrayed it to be so schizophrenic that I have to admire it
> if only for its weirdness.
The Coldcut JDJ remains one of the best mix CDs I've heard.
In the same league are two Ken Ishii mixes, one that's part
of the X-MIX series, and one that's part of the Japanese
MIX-UP series. Plus all of the DJ KICKS ones I mentioned
earlier. One a more ambient tip, both of Coldcut's TONE TALES
FOR TOMORROW are excellent, as is their STONE CHILLED GROOVE.
I guess when it comes down to it, Coldcut are still the best
damned DJ's I've heard. :-)
-- Mark Turner | "Jazzadelica" with Rocky Rococo on KFJC mturner@netcom.com | Sundays 10pm-2am, 89.7 FM, Los Altos Hills, CA
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