international news _ Jonty Skrufff _ 26th July 2005
Larry Tee Ditches The Decks
Electroclash pioneer Larry Tee has completely stopped using vinyl after spotting mainstream houses DJs doing the same, he told Skrufff this week.
"I recently did a gig in Mexico with Deep Dish and Nick Fantiulli and I noticed that some of the DJs were playing without huge record boxes. It suddenly occurred to me that I could bring more of my back catalogue if it was on CD and since I have my own studio, I could actually make my old records sound better by slightly re-mastering them and adding a bit more volume and bottom end. That's what finally convinced me. That and the fact I'll no longer take my back out by carrying a hundred pounds of records on my back," said Larry.
The New York veteran promoter/ DJ (and Skrufff man-in-New York) also said he finds CD players significantly easier to use, though stressed he's never been an advocate of the no mixing approach that was often associated with electroclash.
"I still love a good seamless mix, though I feel you have to play at least one record a set that doesn't conform to the tempo or texture of the rest of the set," Larry continued.
"Larry Levan used to always throw in a fast B-52s record or a downtempo R&B rumpshaker to shake things up a bit during his marathons at the Paradise Garage," he recalled,."in that spirit, I must admit I like banging in the odd surprise every now and then."
As well as embracing CD mixing, Larry said he's also recently starting using effects boxes, loops and samples in his sets, admitting 'I am late on the filters but I am definitely making up for lost time. I must say, a set without effects sounds a little naked to my ears these days,' he added.
Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
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