13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Maestro did its job.....And, did it well, October 31, 2005
This review is from: Maestro (DVD)
At first I thought it would be a NY vs Chicago type of thing, which it wasn't. However, you hear very little about Chicago, except during interviews with Frankie Knuckles, or about Ron Hardy. That would be the only negative aspect of the film I observed.
This film gives a clear distinction between NY Dance and Chicago House. I appreciate the fact that at no time did it feel like a competition-of-sorts. When a time line is presented to you, it's very hard to argue with it. And, each group's sound is distinct unto itself. But, it's still all "FAMILY"
The phrase "UNDERGROUND" is used too loosely these days. When it comes to music genre(s), NY Dance/Chicago House are true Underground music. You can't deny it when major record labels, as a whole, refuse to include original dance/house tracks on major releases. But, they are more than happy to let DJs/Re-mixers/Producers put out separate "authorized" productions. You are truly "underground" when the bottom line does-not-compute.
In closing, I would ask the younger people/dancers to research the history of "The Circle". This portion of the DVD made me shiver; it hit so close to home. Complete your journey by researching CAPOEIRA, an Afro-Brasilian martial art originating back more than 300 years ago. In the film, the dancers couldn't hold in their joy, their desire, their NEED to be a part of The Circle. Your Circle, called The Roda (pronounced Ho-dah) and the acrobatics involved are linked directly to Capoeira. Every aspect of the dancers' experiences, described in the film, are "exactly" what Capoeira is all about. This could be an avenue Josell Ramos could investigate.
JACK IT UP................. Keep House/Dance Alive!!!!!!!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but Missing something, January 22, 2006
This review is from: Maestro (DVD)
Coming from Chicago, being a DJ, and who loves house and dance music, we always heard of Paradise Garage and Larry Levan, and of course, Frankie Knuckles, but this should have been called the Larry Levan story. I love the old footage from the club, and the information about other places like "The Loft". What is missing is what made all this clubs so special......THE MUSIC!!!!!! The movie started with "Disco Circus", but it had very few songs through out the piece to really take you back. They should have gotten at least some of the Salsoul collection movie the movie along. I wanted to love it, but it's ok.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back in the day, October 5, 2005
This review is from: Maestro (DVD)
Ramos does a great job of documenting the beginning of the underground Black gay club scene in New York City. For me it was nostalgic. Great footage and interviews. Kudos to Ramos for putting this project together on film.
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