Speedy J offers glimpse of the future in parts

Speedy J offers glimpse of the future in parts

17 August, 2008 | 2.36AM

• Section: Music News Topics: Beatport Blog, Technology
• Written by: Ben Raven

Dutch techno veteran Jochem Paap aka Speedy J is well versed in exploring new territory in dance music.

On his next album he trials a method of releasing music that could redefine the art of DJing.

‘Red Shift’ will be released on Jochem’s own digital label Electric Deluxe with a limited vinyl release also forthcoming on his friend Richie Hawtin’s Plus 8 label with whom he’s had a longstanding relationship with as an artist.

To accompany the album he’s also releasing ‘Kreate,’ a huge DJ tools collection of loops and samples from which DJs will be able to build entire new tracks from.

In Mixmag’s 2007 Future issue Richie Hawtin supported the idea as the next step in moving the art of DJing on from simply playing records.

Rather than simply play his songs as they were originally recorded, the release gives digital DJs using software like Ableton the chance to “mix on a molecular level.”

That might mean splicing the bassline from one track with a drum part from another, all the while layering both with a vocal from a third track.

At the minute such live performances are only really possible for producers who create their own material.

However if labels began releasing detailed DJ tools versions of their releases to accompany their songs it would make it possible for DJs to draw on a vast library of sounds and loops while playing.

Speedy J is well known for his taste for pushing the boundaries of dance music technology.

In 2007 he created Umfeld, a DVD with visual artist Scott Pagano that explored the possibilities of Dolby 5.1 sound.

By releasing it as a free download as well as a physical DVD he beat bands like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails who used a similar experimental format for release with their respective albums.

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