For the uninitiated, hip-hop doesn’t require rap; just as graffiti doesn’t
require a turn table; and break dancing doesn’t involve spray paint. Moreover,
when an artist calls themselves a “DJâ€, it does not necessarily mean that they play “technoâ€, “houseâ€, “jungleâ€, “drum&baseâ€, “tranceâ€, “happy hardcoreâ€; it doesn't even mean that beats will be the main emphasis of their set.
So before you cast aside DJ shadow as being “hip-hopâ€, therefore
disagreeable to your ears, let me say this: I’m a total musical snob. Overall, my
favorite genre is classical music, specifically those composers between
Beethoven and Prokofiev. However, hip-hop turntablism is my second favorite
genre. I have no problem in arguing that if there was one modern musical
movement worth watching, it’s turntabalism. The genre’s best introduction, in my opinion, is DJ Shadow’s 1996 debut album,
Entroducing
With over 60,000 LPs, DJ Shadow holds the record for the world's largest private
record collection. That collection is not a sign of vanity; it’s a physical monument to his
commitment to music, and his art. Its difficult to describe "what he does". However, one pithy way of putting it might be that he specializes in going to second hand record stores around the world, and digging up old, virtually
unknown recordings. After listening to them, he remixes them into musical
collages.
Midnight
In A Perfect World [listen in WMA] is probably the best song on the album.
DJ shadow has (as far as my ear can tell) combined no less than 5 different
tracks – ranging from vocal/instrumental, to funk, to rap, to indy rock – to create
this particular master piece. The track’s
seamless sound is an illusion; it is the true mark of a turntable grandmaster.
However, don’t get the wrong impression that everything on the album is trancy
and beautiful. Number
Song [listen in WMA], will appeal to any lover of hard music. The contrast
between the two tracks speaks for DJ Shadow’s diversity as a musician.
Like all good albums, however, Entroducing is best listened to as a whole,
from start to finish. DJ Shadow put thought into its structure; the sum of the
whole is greater than te sum of parts. ****
Herbie Hancock's 1973 recording, Head Hunters ,is arguably the best album in fusion genre. (and don't argue with fusion fans, what's the use? They like weather report...) Think of it as Bitches Brew without the coke, or Miles Davis's pretentious attitude.
We talked about writing todayBut words feel empty and meaninglessFor words fail me when it comes to youTell me: if the course of our life was set at birthHave our fates been decided?You know you have me