The Song Fight Bulletin Board

OK, so my friend at work is an awesome fusion guitarist and hangs with the likes of Al Dimeola, Lenny White, etc. He is of the opinion that scratchers aren't musicians and scratch ain't no music, and turn tables ain't instruments.

What recordings really shine as far as scratch-as-music (as oposed to "effect")?

I certainly knew people who didn't recognize the electric guitar as a real instrument, and others who cry out when they hear a prepared piano performance. It's just a matter of enlightenment. Some of the Beastie Boys have little out-takes with what's-his-name on the phone doing bank shit through a whah whah pedal and all, but the songs wouldn't turn this guy on.

The movie "Scratch" is really good.

Kid Koala - Night at the Nufonia

All of Kid Koala's stuff is very musical, but this song is hands-down your best candidate. It's about how scratch-artists are generally not considered musicians, and it features some great samples (especially a radio play clip: "And that, of course, was what he deserved for pretending to be a musician when he was only a butcher") as well as him scratching a tone to create a melody.

Check out the whole album (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome): it's fantastic, and it comes with a comic book.

I have that album -- I got it after seeing him open up for Radiohead. The scratching's good, but the album on the whole is pretty bland compared to his live set. I was completely blown away -- definitely the best turntablist I've ever seen.

Great, thanks guys. Bought the DVD today, just downloaded the album from iTunes. I am on a mission.

General Patton vs. the X-Ecutioners is awesome.

Beat me to Kid Koala. Also, anything Mix Master Mike is doing is usually good, though yes he is the guy scratching over the phone in Hello Nasty. I think the collective he was with before, and maybe still, is the Invizibl Scratch Picklz.

Alright. Anyone who says turntables aren't instruments is required to watch this video immediately.

Virtuoso shamisen + virtuoso turntablism = AWESOME.

So am I the only turntablist on SF? (Please tell me I'm not alone)...

Tonamel wrote:Alright. Anyone who says turntables aren't instruments is required to watch this video immediately.

Virtuoso shamisen + virtuoso turntablism = AWESOME.

That is bloody awesome!

There is no doubt in my mind that that bloke is is playing a real "instrument".

But I understand there are still tools getting around nightclubs who think they are musicians just because they know how to put a record on

Caravan Ray wrote:But I understand there are still tools getting around nightclubs who think they are musicians just because they know how to put a record on

99% of the times thats all it is. I was one of 7 people who entered into a recent DJ Battle around these parts, and 4 of them where just people who put a record on, played a song all the way through, and then faded between songs. I was like WTF are these guys doing?

Tonamel wrote:Alright. Anyone who says turntables aren't instruments is required to watch this video immediately.

Virtuoso shamisen + virtuoso turntablism = AWESOME.

that's awesome. thanks for the link. wonder if those two have any recordings available... will search later.
-bill