One topic of conversation that comes up regularly with friends and listeners is about the current glut of DJs and events in the UK. There are mixed opinions whether they are killing the scene or keeping it alive. But out of these discussions comes the opinion that there are too many DJs who put on their own events, (four in my town alone!) and comments like 'everyone thinks they are a DJ these days'.
It has never been easier to be a DJ with the availability of the music via the net, especially for us Modern jocks, and the huge amount of internet radio stations that play Soul. With a bit of practice its possible for most people to string a set together and maybe even use a microphone!!
But what makes a great soul DJ? Is it their collection? Their ability to keep a dance floor full? Their microphone technique? How long they have been on the scene? All of the above?
Having the right records is very important but if the DJ doesn't know what to do with them they aren't going to set any floors alight. A collector (who shall remain nameless) once told me that the worst kind of DJ is a serious collector as they tend to play what 'should' fill a dance floor and not what actually 'does'. However there is a need for this kind of DJ, some of my favourite venues have little or no dance floor and some killer tunes being played by people I respect for their knowledge and collections.
A full dance floor doesn't always mean that a DJ is doing a 'great job', they might be just playing an hour of tried and tested tunes and excluding a large part of the crowd. Should the DJ be introducing the crowd to something else?
As for microphone technique, that is a very touchy subject with dancers/punters. Too much talking ruins the flow of the night, not enough and you might as well not be there.
Longevity on the scene is certainly a pointer to the fact that the DJ has managed to keep dance floors busy but you could argue that they should be performing on the biggest stages at the biggest events in order to be talked about as a great DJ.
Two names immediately spring to mind for me Soul Sam and Colin Curtis. I consider both of these to be great DJs. Neither of them can satisfy all of the criteria above but they are the ones to aspire to and their name on a flyer will always bring punters in.
I am sure the list of great DJs is very long but what interests a DJ like me is not just who they are, but why you think they are great. The more astute of you may notice that I have already excluded Messrs Barnfarther and Dimond from any replies that follow.
Interstingly both of them don't use their real name for DJing is that the secret?