Jason Bentley, there's a name that's been batted around these parts for
a while...
He had a radio show on KXLU call 'the Illicit Groove', back in 89-90.
Then he was called DJ Sonic.
In later years he moved to one of best (IMHO) radio stations in LA,
KCRW. His show, Metropolis, has introduced me, and many other to lots of
great music. Unfortunately I no longer listen to Jason's show.
This may get my ass flamed but I've had this feeling for sometime that
he's sold out.
Jason and his partner, fellow KCRW DJ, Bruno Getz, started up Quango, a
local label that imports/distributes lots of great music, including the
fine pork imprint. It's good label & I've bought many of their CDs.
Unfortunately their radio shows have lost that cutting edge they both
use to have. Now all you'll hear is stuff off their label (nothing
wrong with self-promotion), and lots of very 'commercial' stuff. A
friend called what we heard one night on Metropolis, Jodeci Jungle.
Jason use to play Autechre, Orbital, Seefeel and lots more...He also use
to mix quite a lot on his show. Now, I'll turn on the radio and think
I'm tuned into the wrong show. Lots of 'alternative' sounding music
(and I don't mean Muziq). I have 40+ tapes of his old shows, stopping
about 2 years back. I still listen to these tapes and am glad to have
him doing what he was doing back then. He was one of the big influences
that made me decide to become a DJ.
Since then, I've had a residency at one of the same clubs at him. He
seems like a nice guy, though I've only talked to him once or twice.
Very professional: walks in, spins and walks out...I've never seen him
dance, which makes me a little leery. I don't know...but I've been
told, DJ's who don't dance to their own records ain't got no soul?
Maybe I'm just jealous he makes a living from music, very few people in
LA do. But I don't do it for the $$$, I do it because I love the music,
the people, the vibe. Mix in the money and sometimes it just gets
fucked up.
'nuff bitching,
brock
np: Alec Empire - 'low on ice'