Here's my penny's worth, Paul it has always been and always will be like this simply in my humble opinion you have the majority of people without their own taste. This includes a lot of so called forward thinking Dj's, but really they're just singing off some funk or soul dealers hymn sheet who is classed as forward thinking. You also have those who play rare and different stuff (which on the outset is good) but trying to be different but the tunes are weak and mediocre like so much of the funk edged stuff being pushed as massive then forgot about in a few months as they have no longevity, simply cause they were just mediocre funk tunes. Then thankfully you have a smaller minority of Dj's / collectors etc. with a proper good ear for something new, exciting and genuinely good diggers who are open minded to it all!
The 'Future Classic' mostly will be a term used to enhance the value of said record someones has a few copies of and trying to flog in the near future generally. I can't remember at the DDA anyone saying to me this will be a 'future classic' it was more like 'have you heard this? it's fuckin unreal GET ON THE FLOOR' I was rarely disappointed as with clubs like the Greatstones, Belfast Soul Club heehee.. etc.
Are the Dj's who are hand fed really innovative and great dj's just because they play big money tickets? Or as PaulB mentioned, are the real diggers/good dj's still overlooked on the scene nowadays? or is it a case of the limited amount of clubs that actually are worth going too? I rarely see a dancefloor these days for the same reasons as most on this forum, there are obviously a few clubs that are doing it well and i should make an effort to attend this year.
Just went off on a tangent their sorry..
L