well, I've never heard the likes of DJ Shadow, DJ Food etc. on one of the
local radio stations here in Houston, except DJ Sun's show, which is
broadcasted on a small station (KPFT). Having said that, this is the reason
why I prefer to listen to tapes, vinyl or CDs and not to radio stations
(especially here in Texas).
And here's the problem: Why is there no radio station who plays music
because it is groovy, good music and not because it's supposed to be a new
trend???? I hate that!! What is so special about a trend??? If 2 Mio. people
are jumping out of a window, does that automatically mean that jumping out
of a window is a great thing and should become a new trend??? I don't think
so. But why are radio stations on the air anyway? For me to play a great
variety of music, to PROMOTE ALL KINDS OF MUSIC (!!!!) so that you can
choose your favourite shows or even try something new, which perhaps will
turn out to become one of your favourites. Instead of that you have to
listen to all this bunch of crap which is played over and over again, no
variety at all. And music, everyone knows that, has a lot to do with
promotions. If a record label is not promoting a record, an artists will not
become so well known than with a good promotion (remember the George Michael
case). Why is Jamiroquai not so famous in the US? His album reached platinum
status after two weeks in the UK, and here his tour is put in clubs which
hold perhaps 1000 people!
I recently talked to a guy who is working at a local record store. He told
me that he is so pissed of by all this so-called radio DJs from the major
black music channels here in Houston (97,9 THE BOX and Magic102) because
they don't know anything about what's going on in the music scene. Instead
of that they are playing the tracks produced by the big names now (because
the labels are directing them to play this). Why don't you hear Me'Shell,
without a doubt one of the few gifted musicians out now, on the radio? And
this radio stations are calling themselves black music channels?! Why not
call yourself LaFace channel, Bad Boy channel? That would be closer to the
truth.
I am really getting upset while even thinking about this topic. Especially
when one experience that a lot of people like and appreciate British soul,
DJ Shadow, Acid Jazz etc. The only thing, you as a listener, can do is
inform yourself about special shows on local radio stations (especially
University channels), and check them out. You will soon realise that you
hear shows made by people, who knows their field and who are playing the
stuff they like. And forget everything else because it's not worth it!!!!!
Peace, Gilbert (gmg@hgc9.sph.uth.tmc.edu)