I liked the article. Not because it was original or unusual, mostly because it's always a surprising pleasure (still) to read about some of my favourite artists on a BBC website! Also I found Theo Parrish's response quite funny.
It was funny not because it was stupid or eccentric it was of course the *exact* opposite - I think he was absolutely spot on and I always do - ditto KDJ, on the few occasions he does make an utterance. The reason why I found it funny is because to me/most of us here I would wager, it was 100% predictable. Yet the article writer and the would-be interviewer highlighted Theo's response as if it was one from some hallowed militant freak! I say what's new about that point of view? Discussing racial issues is not always an easy task, however I feel, despite the fractiousness on that subject (and others!) which we often experience here on 313 - and perhaps because of it, there is an atmosphere of relatively greater understanding of the issues involved and I'd even go so far as to say some greater enlightenment too, compared to the 'real world'. I'd like to take that as a further sign of the better evolutionary tendencies observable (not exclusively of course, but it's a good sign) in people who like any music which is good for the soul and mind and body. OK, if you folks want to, go ahead and have The Annual 313 Flame War about Race! ;-). 2004 was just sneaking out the door hoping to escape that but you caught her! K -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 25 November 2004 21:33 To: Martin Dust; 313@hyperreal.org; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: (313) like syl johnson said.... because whether or not this music is relevant or not depends on a few criteria...one of them happens to be trend...another, creativity...fresh ideas in relation to simultaneously happening creative mediums...and niether last or least...what, in relation to reality, does it offer...if it only offers escapism it won't always be relevant because people are always finding new ways to escape... and besides...i would like to get past the point of fighting over it once and for all...you know? come to a concensous (sp) either it is or is not part of the music...i think it is, and so do alot of the artists involved in shaping it's vocabulary, everyone doesn't have to but it shouldn't make us squeemish...the tension and release is what swing is all about anyway! cheers b