Dejay Shoow [MGP] - "Sucesso"

I have been listening to far too much Portuguese dance music. The situation as progressed to the point where this electronic fascination has led me towards fairy tales. I am willing to concede this much: on a surface level neither of these have much in common. The Brothers Grimm and Luso-electronic rhythms do not have much in common; this much I will admit. The limits, though, are only found superficially and the reasons are are not cryptiv. Marfox, Dadifox, Niggafox, Ly-c0ox, and Finicox sound like the starting line-up for a petting zoo rec league team. The names of choice are stylistically derivative - and granted, I am not a DJ - but my affinity for these modern sounds of Lisbon will not rest. It seems the little voice that tells me I like the music will not rest until I have a wildlife based nickname too. So for the sake of self-reservation I am inclined to seek this woodland-critter based name. This is where the Brothers Grimm and their disproportionate amount of fox tales enter. Like presidential candidates in the early stages if a campaign, I have not have taken it upon myself to make a decision  (but I did enjoy this cat and a fox story). My choices stand as such : Felýcox and Elýfox

Luckily - for me, and only me - this is not a name based fraternity. Earth is not an enormous Tumblr. The western world is not on the verge of major linguistic change. Waking up tomorrow will be be accompanied by a sudden rejection of vowels in preference of X's and V's. Look no further than DJ Jeff. For one, he does not seem to be have concerned with the matter - or with creating an alias at all. Second, it is not roster depth that foments this marvel. Like the -cox's and -fox's, auteur's track-name is ultimately a matter of free-choice, not a template Even looking through previous posts on the subject - mainly DJ Firmeza and DJ Mab0oku - no obvious reasoning is found; though I will posit one generality.  The loss of homogeneity is sign for how far from the center the party has traveled; and with greater distance between beatmakers, the more independent and maverick their spirit.

Such seems to be the case with DJ Show. Casually aligned with the crews BNPB, TDM (Tucho da Mae), and SBM (Soldier Boyz Muzik), Sho0w is an entity unto himself. The name says it all. If anything, an uncomfortably simple scenario. Often times Show will do nothing more than slightly adjust a typical 4/4 kuduro rhythm and become concerned himself with more metronomic bass. Samples are often not exploited and vocals are not cunningly tweaked. The real marvel for Show is his synth lines - often times taking on the likeness of MIDI. Moments which not mere novelty. The synth elaborates on a skeleton Sh0ow lays out until, as a beat, the creation stands out. "Sucesso" is a very good song. It incorporates the DJ's best qualities. The number starts with an almost batida feel. The harmony and melody play to each other, but the first and second listen leaves listeners in the midst of competing tracks. Without allowing time for comfort an archetypal kuduro rhythm begins. Additional syncopation is found in some humble call and response from a brief vocal sample just before the second tag - "Esso e sucesso" - leads into the bridge, and its brief experimentation with start-stop time. This is not a scene changing number, but it is a very good dance tune (even as the composer waits for volunteer vocals).

- John Noggle