Turntables 'n music - it can be done very well, or it can be a fad.
Take your pick. I think its easier to work a musician into a DJ's
routine (Krush & Toshinoro) than to put turntables into traditional
music (all those lame bands). It can be done very well, but its
generally done terribly. I thought Death in Vegas did a good job
integrating 'tables when I saw them a couple years ago. And all those
wonderful metal-rap bands with a DJ, well I don't see AJ'ers jumping up
and down for more.
I think that the problem is that the DJ is a fad because he or she isn't
an integral part of the musical making process. I really can't tell
there is any scratching on some of the metal-rap stuff (not that I
listen to it). But when the DJ is part of the process, the end result
is much better. Isn't there a group called Space Travellers that
consists of stand up bass, horns & DJ Quest? There are some good
examples, and then there are some groups that somewhat implement the DJ
like Massive Attack, Portishead, Morcheeba and so on.
I still think the DJ is more of a party rocker than musical performer.
Now Kid Koala, Allies, Scratch Perverts, & all those other crews - well
they are definitely musicans in every sense of the word.
> Hey, on another tip; Has anyone come out with some how-to books or videos of
> turntablism? Somebody could make decent money getting Craze, Cut Chemist,
> Kid Koala and whatnot to demonstrate the techniques. I'd be in line to pick
> one up, that's for sure.
>
There is a good list @ www.asisphonics.com (called the ever) that has
almost every known scratch with real audio samples. You can memorize
each one and attempt all you want - but practice makes perfect on
scratching. They make it sound easy, but it takes a long time to get
the basic movements down - and then make it musical....its tough. You
can also buy videos of the battles if you want to see it in real fast
motion.
simon.
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