From the letters page in May’s Mixmag:
Sasha Basha
Mixmag,
I went to see Sasha last night at Air. I’ve been a big Sasha fan for quite a few years, but last night he played only CDs. I understand how easy it is to burn a tune to CD rather that cutting one to vinyl, but if I want to see a dj play CDs I’ll go to my local cheesy club where I don’t have to pay 15 squid for the pleasure (or lack of it). I’d like to say, “Sasha MAKE an effort will you mate?” I feel ripped off.
Marc Thorpe
Mixmag’s reponse:
Duh! CD mixing gives DJs the ability to manipulate, loop, remix and edit tracks live. It’s not even the future of DJing Marc – it’s the present. Get with the programme.
It cracks me up: the number of gits out there that presume to judge a dj because he uses cds. Every A-list dj out there is doing it, and many of them go one step further and use laptops and effects boxes directly. The vinyl is just another tool. You’ve got to shelf those outdated stereotypes. Vinyl is good, sure. But any dj who limits himself to only vinyl is just cranking out the same old beat-matched blends any dj can do, not to mention being limited to the few tracks he lugged in with him.
Back in the Seventies when djs started mixing songs some people were horrified. How dare he do that? Who does he think he is messing with the integrity of another artist’s work? That’s not how this song goes at all!
George Clinton started using samples of other songs in his own music, and in his live shows. Parliament changed the world, along with other pioneers like the Sugarhill Gang and Grand Master Flash. Effects boxes and turntables joined conventional instruments on stage, long after other radical aboninations like the electric guitar and keyboard had been accepted.
As long as he hasn’t pre-recorded the set I’m all in favor. It’s not about the tools. It’s about the music. If you’re afraid of change then why don’t you stay home? The rest of us want to enjoy the show.