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Written by Headphone Jack
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Friday, 21 December 2007 |
Now I need to start this
little rant by saying that I have the absolute utmost respect for most
other hard-working Salsa DJ's. Being something of a global jet-setting
superstar salsa DJ myself, I understand the troubles we go through to
provide the soundtrack to a night of pure dancing pleasure!!
However........
Perceptions of a Salsa DJ
People seem to think the job of a Salsa DJ has to be the
easiest in the world, on a par with unemployment. You put on a Salsa
track. You play it until it finishes. You put on the next track.
Easy!!! You don't even beat mix like a House DJ and there's definitely
no scratching or turntablism. You don't talk. Maybe once in a while you
put on a Merengue, Bachata, or Reggaeton - but only once in a while,
that's about as difficult as it gets.
Why is it that everyone feels they can be a Salsa DJ, just because they
have a few compilations and a couple of Fania reissues!! Getting hold
of the music itself is only a small part of what being a DJ is all
about, it's about being a 'Selector',
knowing when to drop that tune, being able to change the pace and
recover a lost dancefloor!! Being able to work the dancefloor and
expose people to music they may never have heard before while still
retaining some degree of familiarity for them!!
Have some respect!!
Reissues
So I spent the last ten years researching, digging through
record shop basements, and paying obscene amounts to traders and on
Ebay and Gemm for that Mint or VG+ piece of vinyl in the original
sleeve, only for some record label to release 5 of my super-secret
weapons on the same compilation and stick it in HMV for a tenner!!! Now
I appreciate that it gives greater exposure to the artists and provides
increased accessibility to previously rare music, but c'mon!!! What
about us.... we work hard too!!!
DJ Requests
No!!! Do we tell you what drink to buy at the bar? "I know you
love beer but how about a vodka martini, it's not quite beer but you
can still drink it!" You dance, we play the music. Simple!!
Until next time,
Headphone Jack
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