DJ's: Producing and marketing your own CD's

[Rab]

About a year and a half ago I purchased the "Paradise Garage" double CD by Larry Levan. For those of you that own this once sought after CD, you probably already know it isn't all that. Many of the mixes are kind of shabby and the volume is not well controlled on some of the mixes.

For those of us in the hmm...40+ crowd that remember those wonderful days back in the late 1970's when all the disco classics were at there peak, you will probably remember how spectacular the mixes were. In fact the mixing really made the music all the more wonderful. A DJ had the ability to create an entire mood change throughout a disco in the blink of an eye. Mixing back then was an art form, not like today where so much of the music sounds alike. Sadly, the younger people really have no idea what they missed.

Today, we have a lot of the old disco music available on CD, however, very little is available that is mixed. And when it is, it is often like the Paradise Garage CD. So, my question is has anyone ever considered making a really nice double CD that is well mixed to be marketed? I'm not an expert on the legalities of it, but my understanding is that many of the record companies that hold the copyrights could be interested in this kind of production since they would get a piece of the pie along with the potential of inspiring the music to come back into vogue. :-?

[Masdefi]

Very interesting idea, but what about copyrights?
I am not an expert on that.
But don't you think someone else has thought to realize mixes?
If it could be possible, I would have a loooot !!!!!!

[QUINNY]

Rab: I suspect that the mixes in the clubs, actually weren't as hot as you remember. The Larry Levan CD is from tapes of the day or mixed just prior to release, a few years back? He was considered one of the best wasn't he?
There have been lots of mixed albums and CDs so far as I can tell and don't forget that a lot of the early 'mixed' albums were actually fairly loose segues, in that they merely started the next record on the beat, at the fade of the previous record.
I'd personally sooner have full tracks than mixes any day. Mixes and why and what makes them work, are sooooo personal.

[BrunoRepublic]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

I'd personally sooner have full tracks than mixes any day.

As compilations go, I'd have to agree. Not that I don't like hearing a good mix, but I like to have the ability to take the tracks and put them on my own compilations if I choose. I really liked the approach that BBE took with the "Disco Forever" compilation. It consists of three discs: two containing the original tracks, and a very nice mix on the third. So, you get to have your cake and eat it too.

[NickNack]

I think the legal issues alone would make it just about impossible for an "at home" dj to mix and sell our favorite club music. Sell it LEGALLY and make a profit at it. Hell, even Puff Daddy cried the P. Diddy blues when Motown charged him so many thousands for an 8-second sample of their music.

As for mixed CD's, I don't go for them. For me it's personal because as a dj I just like to make my own mixes. Can't do that if another dj has taken that away. Also, unless I was in the club or know the dj, it doesn't really do that much except let me appreciate his or her technical skill. You don't get the real vibe and energy that they were trying to create.

I'd rather hear the djs' skills at remixing --- this I can get into. I never had the pleasure of meeting Junior Vasquez but his remix work is extroadinary. I've never purchased a mixed down CD of his simply because I've never seen him live so it doesn't hold much appeal for me.

Frankie Knuckles is a different story. I've got old feelings there so his mixes and remixes work very well for me.

[Rab]

[quote="Masdefi"]

Very interesting idea, but what about copyrights?
I am not an expert on that.
But don't you think someone else has thought to realize mixes?

To be honest with you Masdefi, I don't think there has been a lot of people that have given it a lot of thought, and the people that have done it, such as Larry Levan I don't think have anymore clout than anyone else that knows what there doing.

As far as copyrights, I don't think it would take that much work to contact a record company and ask them what they thought of having their material reproduced in a mixed track. After all that was basically how the Paradise Garage CD and other similar CD's have been produced.

We have to keep one thing in mind as well, especially Europeans. Here in the U.S. disco from the mid to late 1970's is all but completely dead. This music has an extremely small market, regardless of what many of us disco junkies want to believe. Here in the U.S. disco became a dirty word. The goal here is not necessarily about making a lot of money off the deal anyway. The idea is to do it for the love of this music. To understand that there is a whole generation that did not have the privilege of enjoying this music in its limelight. Of course, if you are a DJ or have DJ equipment you not necessary part of the targeted market. It would be mostly people like myself, who only own 1 turntable.

Mixing back then was about more than just matching beats, it was about enhancing the club atmosphere with intricate mood changes. Some of the songs would gradually creep in; or maybe a drastic cut from one record to the other. Many of these guys really knew what they were doing. One screw-up and the dance floor would clear immediately.

As for Quinny, I'm not sure what the environment is like in England, particularly back in the late 1970's, but truthfully without any exageration, the mixes were that fantasic in the clubs in Boston and New York (I've only been in the gay ones). We had 2 disco radio stations back then KISS108 & WBOS here in Boston that were incredible. What was nice, is that the DJ on staff would let listeners know when the mixing would begin and to have their tapes ready. Unfortunately, I only made a couple and they were both on 8-track. Larry Levan may have been a legend, but he might have been having an off day when the Paradise Garage CD was produced. There are a few good mixes, and a slew of bad ones. Unfortunately, a lot of those legends I remember from both the clubs and the radio stations are no longer even with us today.
....It was just an idea, I was just wondering if anyone else gave it any thought...

[markydefad]

Regarding Quinny's comment on Larry Levan's "mixing ability"...I've heard just the opposite. Flawless mixing WASN'T his stong suit....selecting the "right" records, creating a mood and taking dancers on a long trip WAS his specialty. Now, never having heard him play in person, I have to repeat that's what I've read or heard from others who did dance to his music at Paradise Garage.

But ya know it''s interesting to hear "live tapes" from back in the day...cause the mixes are often NOT flawless....but damned if I could tell it when I was on the dance floor dancing to them. You can hear obvious pitching up and down on the tape that was never apparent in the club. At least --NOT TO ME!!! :roll:

So I guess it's not really fair to judge a DJ's merit on how the mixes from back in the day sound on CD today. I'm just grateful to hear how he put together a string of tunes and created a mood. And I'm fascinated by the legendary stories of DJ ego and bad temperament--like Larry Levan playing one record repeatedly over and over and over and over--UNTIL he got the reaction from the crowd he felt the record deserved!!!! Unheard of to me--punishing your dancers--and STILL they came!!! That's a cult of DJ personality that I find most interesting.

[nrgbeat]

Originally Posted by markydefad

But ya know it''s interesting to hear "live tapes" from back in the day...cause the mixes are often NOT flawless....but damned if I could tell it when I was on the dance floor dancing to them.

All those drugs made the mixes sound good. :D :D :D

[nrgbeat]

Hey Rab, speaking of dancing in Boston, several years ago someone gave me some tapes from a club in Boston called Darts.

Did you ever dance there? The mixing on the tapes is nothing special, but there are some obscure disco ditties on the tape.

[markydefad]

Originally Posted by nrgbeat

All those drugs made the mixes sound good. :D :D :D

Hmmmm....

Well, it's probably MY fault...but my rumored "drug-use" has been greatly exaggerated. Just enough crystal to make my feet wanna dance the night away. NEVER used it unless I was going to Trocadero or to another "all night dancing" establishment. Yet, somehow I've become the poster child for the "druggie" dancer!!!!! :roll: