Rodney: To me personally, I've been influenced by a few DJ's including Mr. Mixx, DJ Magic Mike, Cut Creator (errr...Bobcat?) more on that later, but more so by the magnificent DEEE JAAAAY JAAAZZY JEEEEEEF. Jazzy had the whole package from the innovative scratching and the ability to control a crowd with his selections. When I first heard "The Magnificent" on the Rock The House album, I was mesmerized instantly. The chirps were clean and precise but nothing more exciting than hearing for the first time the transformer scratch. What? I rewound the tape over and over and over. I couldn't get enough.
But things really changed the following year when He's The DJ...was released, I didn't know what I was getting into. Not to take away from "Rhythm Trax" but the raw sound of "Live At The Union Square 1986" shows why he's such a great DJ.
Spinner T:: Jazzy Jeff has to be my all time favorite DJ and “Live at Union Square” embodies all the reasons why. As a fellow DJ, I can appreciate how difficult it would be to pull off a routine so perfect, so precise, and so in synch with the MC. I can only image how it would have felt to be in the crowd during that November 1986 show. To think that this was only three years ahead of DST and Rockit shows you how far ahead of the curve Jazzy was. To fully appreciate what Jazzy means to the art of djing, you really have to understand the limits of technology at that time. There were no magnetic, curve adjustable faders at the time. Jazzy did what he did on a Gemini MX 1100 or MX 2200 with just two turntable inputs and a stiff analogue crossfader. So to hear the precision in his cuts, rhythm and timing really is hard to image being humanly possible. While everyone was catching on to the transformer scratch using the mixers line switch (a rapid way to toggle a sound signal on and off), Jazzy was always a step ahead utilizing only the crossfader to manipulate the sound. Maybe it’s just that I associate this time period with my generation of hip hop but in most cases I would rather hear Jazzy Jeff do his thing than most of today’s top turntablist. I only wish there was video footage available from this show. Something about his scratching really touched my soul. That why Jazzy Jeff is the Magnificent and forever will be!
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince "Live At The Union Square 1986"
http://www.zshare.net/audio/5753323c5b5ad5/
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