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Midlothian
Reaping the percussions
Registered: Jan 2018
Location: Edinburgh
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A classic in whose eyes?
System F - Out of the Blue became a classic almost instantly (even if that's easiest to say retrospectively)---it was perceived by many to be different, something new (compared to previous trance), which e.g. led a number of British label owners to immediately try and sign it, and certain DJs immediately went on to play it, and it subsequently became a trailblazing track whose way of doing trance was imitated by others and it became known as the prime example of that recognisable Dutch trance template, as acknowledged by fans and haters alike. You can despise it for all sorts of reasons but its influence cannot be denied.
I think it was one of Twan's producer-interview videos that featured the anecdote that when the label sent out the first test pressings they deliberately made the record label info stamped or etched on the vinyl runout illegible so if people got interested it was going to be a bit of a mystery who might be the producer/label behind this 'special' record. Which gives the impression they knew there'd be a good chance that this record was going to be picked up as something new and different.
I supposed one might say Armin - Communication was already derivative, going the same trajectory of being picked up for commercial release in the UK, but not having the same impact (I think).
Ergo, hype, dj/airplay, commercial potential, and both uniqueness and recognition.. Unless something becomes a classic for none of these reasons altogether. And talent? Within the trance framework Ferry Corsten was at the time a much better producer than peers (to be) such as Armin and Tiësto, although obviously in the broader context of electronic music it wasn't merely his producing skills that made him stand out in this instance.
___________________
What is the real aesthetic?
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Dec-05-2021 18:34
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JonDC
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham
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It’s quite a good question to be fair
There’s 3 criteria that spring to mind for me:
1 Did the track make a significant impact on *it’s* scene when it was released?
2. Did the track have an impact on other scenes as well? (Did it get played by various DJs across different genres)
3. Does it still sound amazing today? And an acid test here is probably ‘could it be played in a modern set without sounding completely contrived?’
There’s probably a few different levels of classic.
A stone wall classic is one that satisfies all 3 of the above. Something like Age Of Love (Jam & Spoon remix) obviously ticks all boxes
Then you’ve got classics within a genre, which only satisfy criteria #1. An obvious example off the top of my head would be something like Motorcycle- As The Rush Comes. It was a huge track in the trance scene when it was released, getting played by every single DJ and featuring on every compilation album. It wouldn’t work in a modern set, and I suspect everyone outside of the trance scene would sneer at it, but I don’t think anyone would argue that it’s a classic trance record (whether you like it or not)
The third criteria is one that gives license to have a collection of ‘personal classics’. Tunes that you used to hammer in all your sets back in the day, which you have a special place in your heart for, but weren’t necessarily known by a broad audience. I’ve got my own ones here; something like Moshic - Una Hamm (Hypnotic Duo remix) would tick this box for me, but I don’t suspect that many people wouldn’t know if. To me, it will always be a personal classic
The third criteria is obviously a bit spurious, but I think there’s something in it 😀
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Dec-05-2021 23:29
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planetaryplayer
Surpeme traineanddict
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: Pine Tree Valley
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when we did pre drinks and played tunes before heading out whatever found its way into multiple track listings became personal classics even if they did not get much attention outside the cellar
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Dec-06-2021 15:41
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JonDC
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham
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quote: | Originally posted by Mattsanity
I know little to nothing about the last 10 years but man, Bicep is a name that can't be avoided. |
One of the things I’d challenge is how long something needs to be out before you can safely call it a classic. Bicep - Glue was very obviously an instant classic in my books
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Dec-08-2021 07:24
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JonDC
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham
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quote: | Originally posted by Sykonee
Taking this quandary further...
How might a classic track *lose* its classic status?
Its genre become woefully outdated? It wasn't really much of a 'classic' in the first place, and grows forgotten as that clubbing generation moves on? The producer of said track gets 'cancelled', reducing their body of work rather icky to hear again? |
Can you give any examples of tracks that fit the bill?
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Dec-08-2021 19:37
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