Post by hanzsolow on Jun 22, 2007 5:15:18 GMT
With all due respect I would like to press for alot more information from this thread.
I read from Kev Roberts that he was influenced by DJs and collectors Billy Swain and Alan Day. Took his education from Syd Booth's record shop and was mentored by Brian Selby and John Bratton from the Select-a-disk/Blackmagic days. He was also impressed by Richard Searling's choices and style.
I've heard that without Richard and Kev, Russ & the Casino would've struggled.
Who were the best DJs at The Brit, The Twisted Wheel, Up the Junction, The Torch, Trogs, VA VAs, Keighley, Blackpool Mecca, and the like?
What of Les Cockell, Colin Curtis, Ian Fishwick, Kieth Minshull, Brian Rae, Dave Evison, Russ W., Dave Presolloc, Paul Harrison, Mick Smith, Butch, Dave Rimmer, etc., etc.
In my opinion, a good DJ is someone who truly cares about people; who is a servant to the total atmosphere of the club. A good DJ can entertain the majority while still educating the record snob. Can keep the dancefloor full and yet still squeaze in some precious rarities. A good DJ is not just a record collector out to prove something to other record collectors - although those geezers are often successful. A good DJ makes it a point to make the aquaintance of as many people as possible from as many different places as possible, so that when there is a large contingent of that crowd in the club he or she can cater to them.
The BEST of the best DJs arrive early and stay long, making friends and telling stories to the younger kids to make them feel welcome. They recognize the work that was done by the people who set up the club, the lighting guys, the sound guys, etc. and if given a chance will play a song for them, or mention their Birthday or whatever, over the speakers. They look around the room to see what direction to take the party next. The songs will be superb and smoothly mixed, and He or She(women DJs have the best raw instincts) will tell a story of their own through the string of lyrics in the progression of songs, almost like an eloquent conversation with the subconscious mind. Finally, the Best of the best, are warm humble souls with real Faith and admiration for the collective community, not some self absorbed "King of the Turntables" here only for two hours to be worshiped.
No, I'm not a DJ. I run the lights, lasers, and video projection systems at clubs in California. I've been working in the clubs for over twenty years, and I still have alot to learn. However, I am one of the first people to the club and one of the last people to leave - I meet all the DJs each night, and I see the records each DJ has. I watch the dance floor from the booth and see how the atmosphere changes with every song played.
The reason I'm looking for DJs is because I want to get some of them to play in California - Northern Soul is getting a good amount of exposure over here and I have deeply loved it since I was a child. If you're interested, visit me at www.myspace.com/worldfaithsoulclub -
Thank you for your time, and I hope some of you respond.
Very truly yours,
Jake Maguire
I read from Kev Roberts that he was influenced by DJs and collectors Billy Swain and Alan Day. Took his education from Syd Booth's record shop and was mentored by Brian Selby and John Bratton from the Select-a-disk/Blackmagic days. He was also impressed by Richard Searling's choices and style.
I've heard that without Richard and Kev, Russ & the Casino would've struggled.
Who were the best DJs at The Brit, The Twisted Wheel, Up the Junction, The Torch, Trogs, VA VAs, Keighley, Blackpool Mecca, and the like?
What of Les Cockell, Colin Curtis, Ian Fishwick, Kieth Minshull, Brian Rae, Dave Evison, Russ W., Dave Presolloc, Paul Harrison, Mick Smith, Butch, Dave Rimmer, etc., etc.
In my opinion, a good DJ is someone who truly cares about people; who is a servant to the total atmosphere of the club. A good DJ can entertain the majority while still educating the record snob. Can keep the dancefloor full and yet still squeaze in some precious rarities. A good DJ is not just a record collector out to prove something to other record collectors - although those geezers are often successful. A good DJ makes it a point to make the aquaintance of as many people as possible from as many different places as possible, so that when there is a large contingent of that crowd in the club he or she can cater to them.
The BEST of the best DJs arrive early and stay long, making friends and telling stories to the younger kids to make them feel welcome. They recognize the work that was done by the people who set up the club, the lighting guys, the sound guys, etc. and if given a chance will play a song for them, or mention their Birthday or whatever, over the speakers. They look around the room to see what direction to take the party next. The songs will be superb and smoothly mixed, and He or She(women DJs have the best raw instincts) will tell a story of their own through the string of lyrics in the progression of songs, almost like an eloquent conversation with the subconscious mind. Finally, the Best of the best, are warm humble souls with real Faith and admiration for the collective community, not some self absorbed "King of the Turntables" here only for two hours to be worshiped.
No, I'm not a DJ. I run the lights, lasers, and video projection systems at clubs in California. I've been working in the clubs for over twenty years, and I still have alot to learn. However, I am one of the first people to the club and one of the last people to leave - I meet all the DJs each night, and I see the records each DJ has. I watch the dance floor from the booth and see how the atmosphere changes with every song played.
The reason I'm looking for DJs is because I want to get some of them to play in California - Northern Soul is getting a good amount of exposure over here and I have deeply loved it since I was a child. If you're interested, visit me at www.myspace.com/worldfaithsoulclub -
Thank you for your time, and I hope some of you respond.
Very truly yours,
Jake Maguire