DMZ Diary

#12 - May 30th 2003 - Bathroom Breaks

Dance music is all about the groove, I mean some of the earliest DJ techniques came from Funk DJ's mixing 2 copies of a record back and forth to keep a particularly funky groove going. The whole art of DJ'ing is about keeping the groove and the beat going, creating the illusion of a single continuous monster record which goes on for as long as people can keep dancing.

This probably explains why there are so many long records out there, especially in the world of progressive house, it's not uncommon to clock in at over 10 minutes, and I've got a good few records which beat the quarter of an hour mark. In Dance music the 2 minute pop song is a lost art, every now and then I'll find a good track that clocks in at under 4 minutes and I'll worry that it's a bit too short.

Long records are great for DJ's they can relax, go to the bathroom, get a drink and *not do anything* for a good few minutes, suddenly you can take your time finding the next record, or dance around for a bit. Well purely by accident this weeks show is full of Bathroom records, just because a record is long doesn't stop it being a great record. But if you see a DJ stringing too many of these together then it's a sign of a lazy dj - or one who needs to go to the bathroom too much. Either way they deserve your pity rather than respect.

Or you could just stop being a DJ trainspotter and get down to the music.


Scott Manley

Tracklisting - Hour 1

Artist Track Label Buy? (readme)
Bassbin Twins ESW Marine Parade
This is the intro track we play at the start of every show. Slammin Beats!

Seelenluft and the SilverCity Bob Orchestra
Manila (Ewan Pearson Mix) Klein
Contender for the longest name, even beating Kemek the Dope Computer - this l ittle tale of dancing on a plane proves to be quite a ride.

Infusion
Starwater (It's Alright) Marine Parade
Marine Parade is the 'Other' world famous record label from Brighton, this moody breaks number flows elegantly (sorry for the skip halfway through - I need to get a new copy).
Highlander
No Way Out (Acid Rockers Mix) Distinctive
2 moody vocal breaks records, one easy mix. I love the vocals on this track they sound a little detached beacause the remix is a bit loose, but that sound just adds to the style of the track.

Slacker
Looky Thing Jukebox In The Sky
Slacker deserve a lot more respect than they get, this is my little contribution.

Holden and Thomson
NOthing (99 Returning Mix) Loaded
Apparently this is one of Tiesto's favourites right now, as if I'd need an excuse to play such a beautiful record.

Lemon Jelly
Soft XL
Very Limited edition 7 inch, release of 'Nice Weather For Ducks' featuring this sampletastic moment on the B-Side.
Stanton Warriors
Reckless Dub Punk Music
Classic Jazz/Blues song remixed in a breakbeat style, I'm told the remix is by the Stanton Warriors.

Harry "Choo Choo" Romero feat Terra Deva
Corruption Subliminal
Terra Deva is *the* hottest vocalist of the moment, she's turning up all over the place and lending her copious vocal talents to big records all across the board.
Paul Jackson
The Push Underwater
Asian percussion sounds, a hint of Beethoven and driving house beats combine to make this a perfect progressive house record.

Hybrid
Finished Symphony Distinctive Breaks
This record is one of the longest in my collection, almost 15 minutes of the most epic breakbeats you'll ever hear, and featuring the Moscow Symphony Orchestra performing those strings.


Hour 2 - Special Guest Double Bill - GBA and Tipper

GBA is a Founding member of AM Breaks and he has already played a guest set for the show, but I had to play this short set he performed a few weeks ago. This was all sequenced and performed live using his trusty laptop and the audience loved it, even after I'd done my best to scare them away with my set.

The second half is from Tipper, probably one of the bigger guest names on the show so far, we actually had him set for the first show but some complications led to the delay. But, We finally can bring you a short set which was recorded live - enjoy.

Stay Funky....
see ya Next Week.

Scott Manley 30/05/03