Maestro

A few nights ago I watched 'Maestro,' a documentary examining the origins of DJing and dance club culture in New York City from the early 1970's through the late 80's. The footage the filmakers tracked down is incredible, with shots of the Paradise Garage in full rave mode to some of the very first ever actual mixing of records. The interviews are insightful, conducted with luminaries such as David Mancuso, Nicky Siano, and Frankie Knuckles. Much of the discussion during the film centers around the the legend of Larry Levan and the various seminal venues he and the other original DJs of the NYC scene helped create. 

I also really enjoyed how the film delved in to the aspect of sound in these clubs. the soundsystems and techs at the time were on the cutting edge, putting out bass frequency never before heard and top-end support that was a new kind of clear (and news levels of altogether loudness). Interviewing sound technicians from the clubs added another angle to the movie, which I thought really contributed to the all-around educational quality of the doc. 

here is the first chapter of the movie - you can watch all 9 parts on youtube, and I would definitely encourage anyone interested in the origins of a scene they may or may not be a part of to do so. 

my favorite part of the whole doc come at 6:30 in this clip when DJ Antonio Ocasio talks about his favorite musical moment at the Garage. AMAZING. 

bonus: 

Aleem - Release Yourself (so ill)