Obscure or not too obscure - that is the question.

[alireggae]

Hmm, it seems that a lot of reggae fans find a lot to moan about if DJ's play well known tunes but surely it stands to reason that tunes are well known for a reason - they're good. Often the real obscure tune are not so great and surely getting played simply for the DJ to say "Hey, check out my large and obscure record collection". I reckon most of the general public are happy with well known or less obscure (rare) tunes.

[bmd]

I'm very happy with that statement. Apart from the odd hidden or forgotten gem, and I've found a few on my own,,,, what goes down best is good tunes, however obscure or not they may be. For example, they played a good deal of well known tunes on Saturday night at Tighten Up, but those old favourites are favourites for good reasons, they also played some tunes which seemed well known to everyone but me ;-) They always play something I've never heard before. One issue for me is that it's quite difficult to get into a tune that you havn't ever heard before, and thus they seem 'less' than those lovely old favourites that you know and love. Give stuff more time to sink in...

[The Favorite]

it's a good point alireggae, and one of the traps younger djs fall into (the other being the idea that they should only play "hard" or "heavy" tunes so everyone knows how old-school and roots they are)... but, it's still good to spring the hidden treasures on them too.

for me, the test for that is whether it's a tune that you love from the first time you hear it. because if it does that for you, and does the same thing when you play it for others.. well that can make the old cratedigging selection worth the gamble (imo, as usual)!

--

[alireggae]

One of the best night I've had in NZ is seeing Dubwize Sound. Although they played through a shitty in-house PA, they played a great selection of tunes, nothing too rare but what made them great was the live DJ's, order of tunes played etc.

[hamburger]

if you play out it must be music for the dancefloor !!
too rootsy, too slow = sure loosers

try "Roast, fish & cornbread" in a dance to clean the dancefloor in 30 seconds.

[zapatoo]

From the "punter" side of the decks, I'd agree with what's being said.

The best mix for me contains a few tunes I (and many others) know and love, plus a few unknown (to me) gems - providied those gems are listenable/accessible etc.

This ideal mix also applies (for me) to the many CDs I've been lucky enough to receive from all of you great guys out there. While it's great to have new tunes, I enjoy the "safety" of knowing that there's a much-loved favourite coming up in a track or two.

If you see what I mean

[hamburger]

joe, may i take your words and thank all the "great guys" out there for the incredible amount of killer roots music i received over the years.

not only was i able to restore 90% of the great 70s albums i once had on vinyl, i discovered dozens of albums i never saw back in the days and which are great, not to speak of all the fantastic single compilations which are the cream of the crop.

(juha's studio one series alone is pure killer)

keep up the good vibes, internet possee !!!!!!!!

[zapatoo]

Is that you, Mario?

Please keep me "informed"

[hamburger]

yes, i

[zapatoo]

A-ha!!

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