Re: Sampler CD

Gerry Villareal (gerryv@massive.com)
Thu, 21 Sep 1995 11:23:35 -0700


First let me say - all the following is In My Humble Opinion (IMHO):

Here's my suggestion for a new version of my previous suggested title
("A-List").

Remove the hyphen to get "A List" which is open to even more interpretation.

Please remember that I'm only discussing the title proper.

Using the terms "acid jazz" or "jazz", while obviously defining, can
actually be limiting. From my own experience: we (my partner Michael
Brown and I) created the name "West Coast Jazz Massive" a few years back
to describe events that were supposed to occur in several cities across
California (and hopefully elsewhere). It has since turned into the name
for most of the live concerts/events that we do at Bimbo's. And while it
was cool to have A Tribe Called Quest under the banner "...Jazz Massive",
we've found that some of the artists (like Dionne Farris or George
Clinton) don't necessarily fit the "jazz" label even loosely.

Look at most of the record labels or magazines (the excellent Step Jazz
excepted) - they have titles that suggest, allude to the "jazz thing"
without incorporating the actual word "jazz". Their content defines their
images and creates associative meanings for the (almost arbitrary) titles.

I personally believe in choosing primary titles carefully. You can create
something that applies to the now and leaves room for the future. I'm
also wary of "experimental" - it sets up certain expectations for
innovation and is actually quite loaded. Consider some all-acoustic group
contributing a smoking jazz funk cover of "My Favorite Things" - could be
dope, but not really experimental.

I too am bored with most(!) of the "jazzy" and "computer" cliches. I
don't need to see another side view of a sax. (I think the bass is more
appropriate to our music than any single wind instrument.) But then
again, someone could freak and flip all the cliches into something truly
wonderful - just depends on the process and the results. I have great
confidence in Ben/tYPOTHERAPY to come with the dope shit. I can offer
some conceptual design ideas or instances too.

We are a "Net global groove alliance" but would I use that as a title - nope!

Now back to the program...

Gerry Villareal

Massive Brings
http://www.massive.com/