Scratch

Scratch
by Doug Pray

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DVD details

• Features: DJ Qbert, Afrika Bambaata, Jazzy Jay, DJ Krush, DJ Premier, Rob Swift and the X-Ecutioners, DJ Shadow, Mix Master Mike, Cut Chemist and Numark, Z-trip2 DVD Set (All Regions)Runs 92 minutes

DVD Reviews of Scratch

DVD Review: Excellent for an outsider, Mediocre for an insider
Summary: 4 Stars

SCRATCH gave an insight into the turntablist scene that we don't get to see much in these modern days - you see someone scratching in a Gap commercial or an ad for Fanta, but you never really learn much about it. SCRATCH is a good example of a proficient and poignant view into where scratch DJing started, where it's been over the last 5 years, and a bit of insight as to where different artists see it going in the future.
The documentary was quite lighthearted - started chronologically with the advent of the first scratch - something GrandWizard Theodore came up while whiffing the record back and forth during one of his mother's lectures. From there it took you on a journey of interviews and quips from DJs discussing the full gambit of flora and fauna relating to the world of turntablism - where their inspiration comes from, attempts at annotating the art, different styles from beat juggling to faderless scratching, how and why the DJ got started, what the role of a DJ is in music today, and whether or not the turntable is actually considered an instrument. Fascinating for a newcomer to the genre of scratching and turntablism, and at the same time invigorating and refreshing for the veteran - scratch DJs worldwide will become inspired by this documentary to elevate and innovate their styles and game.

It was great to see some DJs from around the world, but I think that it was focused a little too much on the american male DJ cross section. Although I understand in a documentary you can only have so many objects of information, but there could have been a greater global influence with interviews from some of the worldwide players like Dexta from Australia, DJ Shine from Denmark, A-Trak or Jr Flo from Canada, Woody, Plus One from the UK, the list goes on. The other thing that was lacking was the focus of females in the scratching scene - although DJ Faust's girlfriend Shortee was featured, there are some extremely talented female DJs out and about that put a lot of the guys in the scene to shame.

There were a couple of other things that were obviously lacking in this documentary, namely DJ Jazzy Jeff, who invented the transform and chirp scratch, and DJ D-Styles who ranks above most of the people in this documentary. I would have also liked to see some examples of where scratching is going, and where the new branches are taking the art form, but then again you only have 90 minutes. It's too bad that they had to put in 'filler' with interviewing Q-Bert's marketing manager Yoga Frog, who simply praised Q the whole time, and Tony Prince, the hardly sober man allegedly behind the DMC Championships.

In conclusion, SCRATCH was a relatively well informed look into turntablism - the artform and the culture. Although it could have been better, I was impressed with the DJs that they did use, the message they conveyed, and most importantly the footage that they showcased. This is a "must see" for those of you who don't know much about scratching or turntablism, and a "maybe see" for those of you that do.

Description of Scratch

Seamlessly cutting between interviews and actual footage filmed at several high-profile DJing contests including Skratchcon 2000 and the DMC U.S. Finals, Pray's film is a must-see for both seasoned fans and the uninitiated, a celebration of one of the late-20th century's most thrilling, original musical movements.