Enthusiasts of vinyl are no doubt used to a familiar refrain from CD consumers: They still make those? Not only is vinyl production still a booming subculture, but these days, it seems, everyone is a disc jockey.
San Francisco-based writer and Om Records disciple Christopher Kelly has presented a loving tribute to the turntablist in Deep Concentration, an audio CD/CD-ROM double disc set. Once you stop snickering over the irony of learning to DJ via your home computer, the beatbox program on the CD-ROM portion of Deep Concentration might just unleash the wild sonic chemist within. Click the mouse to manipulate vocals, bass lines, and scratches from a large bank of provided samples.
Significantly frustrated by your lack of DJ prowess? Turn to the audio CD to see just how it’s done. Thrill to improbable combinations borne out of a deep understanding of connections across different styles. All proof positive that the DJ is more than a breathing jukebox.
Deep Concentration: US$16.98. Om Records: +1 (415) 247 5832.
This article originally appeared in the December issue of Wired magazine.
To subscribe to Wired magazine, send email to subscriptions@wired.com, or call +1 (800) SO WIRED.
