Ethics for Crate Digging .:May 05 09:.
I was doing some crate digging research on Sunday in the neighborhood
and it dawned on me that there is an unspoken code of how to dig
records...I was looking through a 'fresh' crate that had just been
brought out for the public and was looking through it with some female
friends when an older lady came up and started looking through the pile
that I had been setting aside for evaluation. I told her that this was
a pile I was previewing and she got a bit huffy and then pushed into
the crate I was looking at. Now we all know that sharing is a value
instilled in all of us since early youth but when it comes to sharing a
crate with a stranger it can be awkward and probably considered rude to
make that your imperative. Now my situation was that I was 2/3 of the
way done looking through the crate and this older lady starts digging
in rather intensely. I blew it off as whatever because my drive to find
records is not as intense as it was in my past, but I could tell my
female friends were ready to pounce on her. In the end we all scored
well and we left happy.
But it got me thinking about crate digging interaction and I noticed a bunch of things that the older lady did wrong.
1. Being perceptive Survey
the situation: Is the crate up for grabs? Is there anyone looking at
the crate? Do the records seem accessible or should you wait until
people are done looking?(Sometimes there are so many crates or records
that physically there is space for a lot of people).
2. Courtesy We
all know that crate digging is likened to a race or a battle from time
to time but is it worth possibly being rude by undermining others in
your pursuit? Do you really need to get so close to another person to
find what you are looking for? Once again in the past I may have pushed
my way into finding things regardless but it seems a bit over-the-top
nowadays.
3. Mentality Rethink
why finding music is so important. In this day and age of Serato music
is much more accessible on analog and digitally; the information is out
there with a little research. Unless your JOB is to resell vinyl
records(I only know a handful of people who only do this for a living)
the intensity to find good music should be tempered. I will admit it
can be a huge adrenaline rush and very satisfying to find selections
but realize that there are vast amounts of other people trying to do
the same thing and alienation is a short sided goal.
Well anyway peace from a good weekend of crate digging, don't stop looking for those gems...
- Existence 76
Record Review: Suite for Ma Dukes .:May 05 09:.
So
this is the our first Record Review, and because I would be the worst
person to attempt to write a review, I have recruited a friend of mine
who buys music as often as he eats to handle this one. I call him JJ,
but he goes by "IX" as in the number 9. -
Jo_iLL
His
legacy continues. By far, this is one of the most sophisticated
tributes to the late great James "Dilla" Yancey. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
and Carlos Niño (from Dwight Trible & the Life Force Trio's
Love Is
the Answer) reinterpret select Dilla productions through chamber music.
You read that right. It's that same ol' buttery and provocative melody,
but translated into an arranged masterpiece, minus the drums. From the
flutes to the horns and to the violins, each contribution still catches
the pure essence of what made Dilla's beats sound nothing short of
amazing.
If you ever get a chance to listen to the
track,
Antiquity, then take note of what Carlos Niño had to say about the
recording from Mochilla's website:
"It is also
important to note
that there was a very mystical and musical rain that came through on
the bassoon tracks for Antiquity. When we heard the rain, hitting the
sky light of the main live room at Bomb Shelter, we were immediately
drawn to it! Miguel commented, that it was Dilla, and we all agreed.
When we played the music for Dilla’s mom Ma Dukes, and brought the rain
to her attention, she also agreed that it was him. If you listen
closely, you’ll hear it in the track!"
Those who
were looking
for more of those neck breaking beats might shy away from this, but if
you can appreciate the effort put into it and the sheer amount of
dedication that made us followers of Dilla's legacy, then you should do
yourself a favor and pick up this gem. Four tracks of orchestrated
goodness. Proceeds from this record will undoubtely go to Maureen "Ma
Dukes" Yancey (Dilla's ma).
-IX
