When I originally starting doing these mixes I had hopes that those unfamiliar with Jamaican music would grow tired of hearing Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash" 200 times in October and would give it a try. I was kinda torn because I felt like I was taking a music genre that means so much to me and cheapening it up by catering to "outsiders" by adding elements completely foreign and possibly strange to those "in the know."
But as the years have gone by I have realized that by doing these Spooktaculars I am in fact doing what I originally started this blog to accomplish. I wanted to show to everyone that Jamaican music is not all the same sounding, one-sided music only discussing topics of oppression and struggle that only appeals to a select few. It is a vibrant well-rounded complex musical genre capable of discussing anything and everything! Bob Marley may be well known by casual reggae fans for "Jammin'" and "3 Little Birds" but I think I have shown that he was just as capable of talking about conquering duppies or retelling the tale of Mr. Brown and the crows riding on his coffin.
I hope I have inspired discovery. I hope I have inspired re-discovery. I hope I have entertained and most of all I hope I have educated. Its been a good run and I'll miss Distinctly Jamaican Sounds but I'll leave here feeling like I've accomplished my mission.
Best Wishes and One Love Always,
John
I think I have finally figured out what my intentions are with DJS... read the comment I left below.
35 comments:
Yes, a thankless task, meaningful though... sorry to see you go.
sorry to see you go.
good luck
Sorry to see you go!!
NOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Very sorry to see you go but understand completely. Your efforts, especially the Halloween & Christmas will continue to get a regular rotation in my playlists for years to come.
Lou, I'm not planning on giving up the mixes, just the "for public consumption" blog... there are lots of Halloween and Christmas mixes to come and those who are interested will receive them via other means, so no worries. :)
Before you go, then, thank you for introducing me to Lord Kitchener, from your 2008 (?) Halloween mix- I had never heard of him before, and he's great. So thank you!
You're welcome! :)
I'm moving to a new blog which isn't exclusively Jamaican music and I think this may be where the Halloween mixes will end up next year!
http://johnsnonsensicalravingsofalunaticmind.blogspot.com/
i sure would like to continue to get mixes... i love them.
i have turned on so many people to this music.... and it never would have happened without stumbling across your blog....
thank you reggaexx...
sorry to see you go...
Trying hard not get emotional here, John; thru DJS you've inspired a heap of people over the years with your passion, perpective and articulacy.
I for one will miss it like a finger, but I also fully understand why you've had to call it a day.
Very best wishes for the next step.
Sorry for the extended radio silence from me this year - largely health reasons - but I hope we can stay in touch.
Seconding Lou C Ferr - your Halloween mixes remain stone classics. And that's been just one thread of your unique blog.
Maximum respect, sincerely - it's been a hell of a ride. See you on the flip side, mi bredder.
No way man, I should have complemented you way before now. I alway check this site to see what's up. Your "Strictly Rub A Dub" mixes are classic. You're appreciated, most definitely!!!!
You know it's killing me to hear all the positive things this blog has done and to not get a little emotional myself... how ridiculous is that? I sincerely appreciate all those readers and listeners who have encouraged me to keep this thing goin' when I got close to shutting this down a couple years ago. In essence I did this blog for myself but it never hurt to receive encouragement... it has always been a labor of love and to see that recognized puts a smile on my face.
What I'm trying to say is this... the Distinctly Jamaican Sounds blog you know IS going away. But... I am planning on keeping it going as a member only blog... that way I can continue to share this music with people who actually care.
Hi, John !!
Woah... that's quite a bombshell you dropped on us there !!
Still, like they say, when one door closes another one usually opens up and I've already bookmarked your new blog :-))
I'm looking forward to your future endeavors and am glad to hear that the 'holiday' mixes will still be a part of that.
Long may your lunatic mind continue to soothe our souls...
Thanks a lot brother !!
JJ
John,
I just wanna say, from Amsterdam, that I always looked forward to your mixes. You have impeccable taste and sense of selection. It is a darn shame that you are closing down - although it always amazed me that you found the time to make these mixes. Thanx a million. Your mixes, the themes you gacve them....always on point.
I hope that you will pick it up somewhere along the line and let us know.
Peace and once again...THANX!!!!
Very sad news! I feel/felt the same in regard to my own blog ... It's sad that there are almost no comments made; not even negative ones! lol
Thanks for all the goodies you posted in the past.
So sorry to hear that you are closing down, but understand... sometimes even an artistic project that you love doesn't hold the same enjoyment and you have to take a break, be it a temp or permanent break.
I would love to be able to access your new blog when you have it up and running, the members-only blog, please let us know how, when the time comes.
I love your mixes... i grew up on Jamaican music in the north of England, but you have posted so many things that I have never heard before... I especially love the rare dub posts, like the Roots Radics dubs.
Thanks for everything you have shared, very much appreciated :)
Time moves fast in the world of technology but reggae seems to go at its own pace.
I,m sure everyone wishes you the best john especially after you recent rough times.
Many thanks for becoming a friend and sharing your love of the music.
Pace
Liverpool
please brother, as a final act of kindness. please repost the 2008 jamaican spooktacular. i could only get half of it last year, and i have a huge halloween party this year.
i sure am going to miss you...
thanks brother
Oh man, this is huge...understandable though. Thanks for blowing minds (especially this one) multiple times over the years. I was a lurker the whole time, but good lord what a service you provided! I wouldn't have half of the music in my collection had I not found DJS by accident. Great to hear that the mixes will live on at the new location and I look forward to many more. I raise a glass and a dutchie in your direction good sir.
Whoa. I just found you... lurker, too. But we're out here. Learned you from the Rolling Stone link. Cheers and keep something going. Thanks and thank you.
Sincerely.
Thanks to everyone who has left such positive feedback for my blog... would it be wrong of me to be having second thoughts about shutting DJS down? Hey, if Brett Favre can retire twice and come back twice maybe I should consider it as well. :)
Thanks for all the things you've posted. I'll miss this blog for sure!!!!
For he'a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow,
For he's a jolly good fe-h-ellow (pause),
and so say all of us.
Thanks a lot for the hard work John, your new blog looks great btw !
Mate, it's not a waste of time, you made me discover an awfull lot of great artists that I would have never heard about. So a massive thanks for all the work you put in this blog and best of luck for the following!
bless
Arg! And I was so excited to have just recently discovered this blog. Oh well, good luck with everything!
John, I've been marinating in your Halloween mixes again this year, and realised that I haven't a tracklist for your excellent Non-Jamaican Spooktacular from 2006. Is there any chance of you posting that list? I can't find any trace of it elsewhere on your blog.
Thanks again for making Halloween for me - and Many others too!
I'm so sad to see you go...You was the number one !!!
wish you good luck...
John, thanks for all the great stuff you have posted and shared, and all the hard work and time that went into doing so... it was always appreciated and this blog will be missed..
Wishing you all the best in your personal life, as you are adjusting to your new situations... glad to hear you have a new lady by your side to share with.. hope the job situation improves, too..
Take care of yourself and your loved ones and thanks again for everything :)
Hi :) How can we access any new mixes or music posts that won't be for public consumpton?
Is there a signup or login or a way to contact you to let you know I am interested and would like to be able to access them?
Thanks in advance and thanks for all the great music you have shared.
Thanks once again for all the kind comments and encouragement! After weeks of consideration I have decided not to permanently shut down DJS, just yet... I've got another Christmas mix in the works for this year that I want to share with the masses and then, at this point at least, I plan on making Distinctly Jamaican Sounds an invitation only group not accessible to everyone who is looking on grabbing some free music and disappearing but keeping it going for those who truly appreciate what's going on.
I'm also looking to see if anyone wants to try their hand at blogging and join me in making Distinctly Jamaican Sounds more of a group effort by presenting a more diverse viewpoint and appreciation of all aspects of Jamaican music. If you are interested in helping out or just want to get on the list of those who will be receiving an invite leave me a message here with your e-mail address... I have to approve all the messages that get posted so if it contains personal e-mail address information I won't publish them to open your account to an assault by the spammers.
Distinctly Jamaican Sounds is not going away it's just re-inventing itself and if you have taken the time to leave me a message, you obviously appreciate what I've been doing over the last four years and I don't want to kill the vibe we've got going. Help me keep this going because I can't bear the thought of letting so many of you down.
Yo J.
your blog was always like a cool stream in the desert...an oasis...and so many sweet mixes....done with style and class...a work of love ...it showed....sure would love to be a member of your cult when you make the blog private....and can try and contribute what jamaican tunes i have collected that may be "wanted"....
and also am sympathetic to any "issue" that needs a lawyer...i just finished a 10 year battle with insurance lawyers....as bad as divorce vampires i'm sure.... that is the type of babylonians yer musical vibe mashed down!!
best wishes on future projects and all
Hey John,
Another shout out to you and DJS. It was the secret blog I shared with all my close friends and family. I absolutely ate up all the detailed info you included with all the music. Truly one of the best music blogs around. Best to you no matter where you end up.
g
This is a reply for Christofari
The 2006 spooky mix tracklisting is on this page: http://jamminjasounds.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html
Enjoy :)
great music ... you've done a great job ... greeeeetings my friend to alll raggamuffin ...
Thanks for the best mixes I have ever heared. especially the rub-a-dub ones!!!
Obviously the rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. :) I just can't pull the plug on this blog!
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