Step behind the wheels of steel and into the world of professional DJs.
The World of DJs and the Turntable Culture is the only book that clearly
and thoroughly teaches the tools, technologies and techniques of
contemporary DJing. It also goes further, exploring the culture, history
and aesthetics of hip-hop, dance music and turntablism. Souvignier
traces the turntable's evolution from consumer playback device into a
professional musical instrument, right up to the latest CD scratching
decks. He also traces the evolution of the DJ from selector and record
announcer to producer/performer. This book features exclusive interviews
with GrandWizzard Theodore (the inventor of scratching) and other
superstars including DJ QBert, Rob Swift (X-ecutioners), Armand Van
Helden and mash-up maven The Freelance Hellraiser. The wide ranging
topics covered include a mechanical history of turntables and a DJ
technology roundup; Alan Freed, Dick Clark and payola; John Cage's
Cartridge Music; Grandmaster Flash; Jamaican sound systems; the rise and
fall of disco; house, techno and garage music; a dictionary of
scratches; and developing DJ skills. The World of DJs and the Turntable
Culture includes hands-on chapters that explain the basic tools DJs use,
teaches the fundamental techniques, and explores the creative
possibilities for DJs. There is a special focus on state-of-the-art
gear, spotlighting the most exciting, cutting-edge features.
