Review: MARK JONES GETS BRITISH DJS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT by Atle Bakken and Nelly Loriaux
Infamous BBC DJ David Rodigan (62) was on hand giving us invaluable information as well as great and amusing stories from his lifelong career. Practically spinning his private record collection to the whole world, he mostly focused on the the great sounds of Jamaica and dancehall. When asked about the first record he ever bought, he not only told us what it was but also took it out of his bag and passed it round for us all to see: a DECCA 45 of 'Telstar' by The Tornados. And one of his greatest memory? Appearing as a bald white guy d'jing in a predominantly black club that had only ever heard him on the radio.
Producer/DJ Alex Drury, a.k.a. Alex Metric (28) revealed why he is starting to get popular in the US. Spinning his ultra funky 90‘s sounding instrumental tracks, proving that when the bass and drums is happening, it doesn't really matter what‘s on top - it gives you a great and instantaneous feel. “I prefer to play my own tracks on the club“, Alex stated. “But I will not make a club date into a self indulgent 'live' concert, therefore I do mix my music with other‘s. I must also say that doing a radio show really gives me the biggest rush ever. And make no mistake, Las Vegas is a poor Generic for Ibiza.“
Newcomer, but already a BBC Radio One Broadcaster, Alice Moxom , a.k.a. DJ Moxie (26) confined that practising in her bedroom and playing for free at friends parties, quickly spread to paid gigs - even in a male dominated environment. “These days it‘s fairly great to be a female DJ,“ Moxom explained '' it‘s just about your taste and the music, not your gender''
All three agreed that playing records that you don‘t like yourself, only to please the crowd, is a “NO-NO“ in building your own career. “I'd rather go the extra round, and get people coming back to hear MY favourite sound“, Drury further stated. ''Thats what DJ‘ing is all about“.
Mark Jones himself, seeming to be a bit inspired from his friend Pete Tong‘s IMS Ibiza Music Summit ( taking place this year 21 - 23 May 2014) said that he sees his Q&A sessions as a long term idea worth developing.
Watching 2 innocuous club members, conservatively dressed business men in their 60‘s, making out on the sofas after the event, really gave us a spicy finale, making us want to come back for more. The loose atmosphere, reminding us of London in the 60‘s, was a welcomed addition to Jones' irresistible search for entertainment that both engages and teaches you something.
