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Interesting debate...
And here is my two euros worth
You have some very strong opinions here and most carry some weight or truth.
As stated, of course James Zabiela isn't on the level of a DMC champion but let's face it, a DMC champion isn't on James Zabiela's level either.
My point is that you are not comparing like for like.
Spinning for a Dance floor and rockin' the crowd at the DMC final are two very different things, both equally impressive.
The DMC competition has evolved since 1986 the year that DJ cheese won. At that time a lot of the tricks were similar to some of the Zabiela stuff that you will see. The reason for this was that the DJs were more musically orientated at that time. Using decks more as samplers rather than a tool for scratching.
One Dutch DJ (And forgive me for forgetting his name) is reported to have thrown his decks on the floor in dismay after seeing DJ Cheese win just by scratching when his own set was more harmonically based like a dance floor DJ. Needless to say he came back the following year with his own stylez and cuts.
So only for a brief period of time was the DMC comp ever graced by DJs who work dancefloors.
The thing that I find exciting about JZ is that he has that creative edge to his tricks. That musical creativity that a good DJ has anyways.
Now don't be knocking the boys like Tiesto and Armin. While Tiesto may not have the best DJing skill on the planet, these guys have an amazing ear for music and not to mention access to tracks that will be big long before anyone else does.
Comparing the styles:
Turntablism - You can definately tell that the DJ is doing this. The whole mentality of turntablism is 'look at me, I'm the man... let's see if you can do better'. And that's the way it's supposed to be, nothing strange in that and party what gives it it's charm. But truly a DJ's DJ.
Zabiela's style - This style is more discreet. 'Let's see if they notice this' sort of thing. Keep in mind that it still has to sound good. You still have to believe that the song was meant to be that way or think 'Wow, is this a new remix'. Refreshing and different from the usual DJ's and great entertainment. Again more of a DJ's DJ as most people (Average clubber) don't actually know what JZ is famous for, they will just think he is the same as Tiesto etc.
The Armin and Tiesto style - Truly the DJ's of the people. They have a fantastic ear for music. Clear if nothing else by the quality of their productions and understanding of what makes people work it on the dancefloor. These boys also play tracks that are less fiddle friendly. Big room trance does not respond well to cutting scratching and overkill with effects. To make it as this sort of a DJ though you have to have productions and ideas to back you up.
Keep in mind though that the parameters for what a DJ should and shouldn't do are always changing so what is true this year may have totally changed this time next year. Due to music styles, technology and so on.
No one has mentioned the X factor that all these guys have and that is the ability to understand the crowd and know what will get them going. That is what real DJing is about, how you go about is what's known as style.
And besides if a lot of these guys want to copy JZ, just think what will happen when they start putting their own creative touch to this. This is how turntablism devoloped to what it is today. If no one copied anyone we would still all be cutting and scratching like Chad Jackson (Legend in his own time but out of date by today's standards).
Another long Nem post comes to an end.
Cheers
Nem
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https://www.mixcloud.com/Calvin_Karass/
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