Much of the vaunted 'creative DJ'ing' is largely a phenomenon of the past. Producers make records that are made for DJs, so the only real skill required is beat matching. That's why any tracks I do for vinyl will have mixin, track, and mixout sections. If I don't do that, I'll pay the price in record sales.
Creative DJ'ing was largely a product of DJs manipulating records that were made for radio or home listening in ways that made them work in the club context. While this isn't yet a completely lost art (watch Terrence spin some time), younger dj's often have no concept of finding 30 seconds of dopeness on an otherwise unsuitable record and working it for 5 minutes with doubles. Turtablists like the X Men or Cut Chemist still operate in this mode. Cut Chemist in particular is the master of working with flea market vinyl to make something new. I'm not saying that there aren't 'modern' DJs that don't show some serious creativity in what they do. Steve Lammers' mixtape has made the rounds in Iowa City and everyone here loves the way he drags in unlikely sources for effects. Claude Young is capable of amazing things. And Carlos Souffront deserves to be a star for the way he pulls things into a set. But there's a lot of know-nothing kids who give themselves way more credit than they're due. If all you're doing is playing records, don't get so full of yourself. kent williams -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://jump.to/cornwarning -- Iowa's First Techno Record Label http://www.mp3.com/chaircrusher -- tunes
