Trends in music and within house music come and go for many reasons. Some are simply as a result of record label and/or artist/track hype. Some are as a result of one track being a huge sucess and other artists effectively trying to copy the track (and consequently emulate its success).

A comment was recently made to me that "everyone in Melbourne is playing house music with a rock edge". There are several ways of viewing the comment. Noting the obvious that it may simply be an exaggeration for an observation or perception that more DJs/people/radio stations are playing tracks with a rock edge, where does this leave a DJ? My response was, if anything, a DJ should view this not as an "if you can't beat 'em join 'em" situation but rather as an opportunity to exhibit their style as a point of difference from others and consequently gain more attention and respect from an audience. (Unless of course one wants to play "rock edged" house tracks).

Following on from the discussion associated with the November 2004 SoulGood chart, my view is that I would prefer to focus on my style and source tracks that I appreciate and connect with and consequently share that with an audience. This may not be an issue at all for other DJs who approach DJing in a different way. The risk for me with superficial trends in music and within "genres" is the dilution of the representation of one's "identity" and consequently that of an audience.

Click below for the SoulGood Top 15 (December 2004) chart.


  1. Most Precious Love - Blaze (Dennis Ferrer 3000 Rmxs)
  2. Your Body - Tom Novy
  3. Shake It - DJ Rooster & Sammy Peralta (Steve Angello Rmx)
  4. Sun Rising Up - Deux
  5. Inside My Soul - Liquid People
  6. Bassline - Richard Grey
  7. Give You Love - Soulizm
  8. Say Ooh - Christian Alvarez
  9. Berimbao/Funky Africa - Shaka
  10. Steel Storm - Africanism Presents Bob Sinclar
  11. Tempo Da Solo - Sueno Soul (David Vendetta Rmx)
  12. This Music - Open Air
  13. Deeper Love - DJ Pierro
  14. Doin' My Own Thing - Kid Creme (Ian Carey, Jerry Ropero Rmxs)
  15. Your Love - Arcade Mode (Original and Steve Angello Rmx)