The term "cultural curator" is one that tends to provoke reactions ranging from sneers to rage. It really is a horrible term in some ways, with problematic embedded associations.

A curator is a person we associate with the world of art galleries and museums, and perhaps images of snooty elitists. Music, of course, is something that should be for the people. We shouldn't be told what to like and people who try to dictate taste should be shot down: Tear down the gates and hang the gatekeepers!

However, consider the art gallery's curator for a moment and think about what he or she does: A curator selects, categorizes and interprets work that they consider valuable — based on their research, experience in the field and personal assessment — and makes it available and accessible to the public. We may disagree with their judgment at times, but to deny the value of a curator's job in filtering out the noise you encounter with all of the music released these days, well, we'd end up having to put an enormous amount of faith in the efficiency and effectiveness of the market.