22.12.09
Posted in
Music
at
12:23 pm
by
Andy
To all the Drum and Bass MCs out there who insist on calling for the rewind at every possible opportunity… please stop it.
The average DJ wants to take the punters on a journey, carefully selecting tracks, mixing, blending and teasing the crowd. The flow of a good set is ruined by incessant calls for rewinds. It really isn’t necessary. Granted, if the DJ drops and absolute stonker of a track, and the crowd is calling for it then, yes perhaps the rewind is justified. But not on every bloody track (once or twice per set should be the limit). And lets be frank… calling a rewind is no substitute for good lyrics.
I remember seeing Andy C up at United Dance in Stevenage back in the late 90s (before he was recognised for the true talent that I could see clearly). Along with amazing me with his technical skills as well as ear for a good tune not to mention his production abilities, I was especially pleased to see Andy turning down MC GQ’s call for a rewind with a curt shake of the head. A sharp reminder that MC’s are there to compliment the DJ and not take over.
So what’s brought this rant on all of a sudden? The Thekla was my favorite club while at uni. Dark, dingy, unpretentious with a great sound system all housed in a ship mored up in Bristol’s Floating harbor it was unique.
Two years after moving back to Bristol, I still hadn’t been back to the Thekla, put off slightly by the talk of the refurbishment changing the nature of the venue. That was until about two weeks ago when Nat and Jon came up to visit us in Bristol. Nat had managed to blag guest list tickets for Hospitality, the monthly drum and bass night.
It’s been a while since I’ve been out dancing, and I have to say I love it. The heavy basslines reverberating around the Thekla’s hull just took me. Entertained by the likes of Marcus Intalex, Blame and Fabio, it was a great night and good to see that Drum and Bass is still going strong. Quite a different crowd from back in the day with a much more student crowd (which left us feeling old) rather than the rougher rabble of the past.
While enjoying the music and several beers, I found myself composing this post in my head, something that I used to do a lot while drunk at gigs. Shame it has taken me over two weeks to actually write the thing.
To finish off, big up and nuff respec to Nat and Jon for coming up for the weekend and getting me out listening to what I love.
09.03.09
Posted in
Music
at
8:44 pm
by
Twitter
Take a load of amateur musicians from you tube and some creative genius and you have http://thru-you.com. Awesome stuff.
12.11.06
Posted in
Music
at
11:41 am
by
Andy
After a frustrating non-constructive day trying to fix the Peugeot, Espe and I wandered down to the Cafe Central for a bit of Jazz and Blues. While in there a month or so ago I spotted that Ben Sidran was going to be performing in November. Having seen Sidran twice before over the last four years, I really wanted to return as he’s impressed me the most of all the groups I’ve seen there.
We actually went down on Friday but, an hour before the concert, Cafe Central was full. We decided to return the Saturday and this this time get there early. So arriving two hours before the concert, we got the best seats in the house… We were so close, in fact, that during the concert I could have reached out and played the Piano (but of course I wouldn’t want to show Ben how it should be done).
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I’m no good at categorising music, so I won’t try. All I do know is I really like the stuff the Ben Sidran Quartet play. It’s certainly “has the groove”, as he puts it. On top of that, I find his lyrics very profound, yet fun at the same time. There where quite few references in there to current affairs in the US, and his opinions were quite clear… “This week the good guys won. Its now time for America to join the rest of the world”. “Someone asked me if I’m running for president, I responded, ‘no, I’m running from the president’”. Last time I saw Sidran in Madrid, he did a great song, titled “turn it off”. Referring to how television is numbing the minds of Americans. The same theme came up again this time… “200 channels but nothing to watch, the illusion of choice”.
Anyway, enough waffling. If you ever get the opportunity, check him out (he plays in Madrid at Cafe Central every year). For those that have made it this far, here’s a cheeky, bad quality, recording of my favourite track of the night. You will need the correct real player plug ins or Nokia’s own software to listen to this.
15.09.06
Posted in
Music
at
12:44 pm
by
Andy
I meant to post this up last week. I listen to Gilles Peterson’s BBC Radio 1 show most weeks, but last week’s show really was something else.
With music from the likes of Karizma, The Heritage Orchestra and Ben Westbeech I was hooked… Then came Zero DB. Wow! It’s been a while since music has moved me physically, especially in my own front room. Top marks to these boys. Their best track had to be a remix they’d put together of a track called El Fantasma de la Libertad. Filthy beats and heavy bass lines, but by far the best ingredient were the profound Spanish lyrics. Need to get myself a copy of that track!
Oh, and take note how many of the above artists are signed to Ninja Tune. Surely the best record label in the world!
01.09.06
Posted in
Friday Fun, Music
at
12:42 pm
by
Andy
Music Score
Hidden Pictures
