- So it begins, again. The second classic party I’ve been in town for now. One every two months. Once again, the classic boys proved they are worth getting out to see. Top night out.
The line up this time round was clearly a night of Chicago in London. Greenskeepers played live in the lounge, Honey Dijon (originally from Chicago, now out of NYC) and Derrick Carter played the club. Alongside them were Luke Solomon, Javasoul, Rob Brown and Rob Mello. Compared with the line up in August of Herbert, Rob Mello, Jacob London and Carter and Solomon with the main sets, it was much more housey last night where as last time was very bleepy and bloopy – the two sides of the label I spose.
As the guest list line up was twice the wait of the paying queue it took us a while to get in. It was also very exciting to see the line up inside for the cloak room. That pretty much explains the popularity of the classic nights at the end. Rammed. They did it well though keeping the club full without making it uncomfortable.
Arriving to the sounds of Greenskeepers was quite a treat. They’d just kicked off their set, which ran for around 90minutes. The lounge was packed and although many seemed not to know who the three guys from Chicago were they were enjoying their get up. With James Curd on the mixing table, Mark Share on keyboards and Coban Rush playing bass, the new sound of greenskeepers was more relaxed, more jazzy, less swing, and quite summery, in a cruisy deep house way (if that makes sense!) They blended their tunes together to fit into the club atmosphere, played an old school missy elliot tune followed by my favourite tune of theirs, the bizarre and wonderful ‘should I sing like this’ and their new one ‘keep it down’ (minus collette on vocals.) Speaking to James Curd afterwards he was keen to hear that it had worked well and seemed excited about their live music rather than his dj’ing right now (although he did remember toasted and the globe back in old Sydney town!) In all, it worked really well in the surrounds of the lounge, without having heard their album im imagining it would be a really jazzy chilled house compilation. Interesting to see them move right away from the swing sound they helped create a few years ago. Probably smart, there are only so many old 20’s tunes you can sample.
Having sacrificed Luke Solomon’s set to hear GK’s (although reporting from last time we saw him play he is very much the freak. MFF that is. Awesome tunes, rips the mixer apart, rough, cutting, and very bloopy. All good! Looking forward to the new album and its launch here in two weeks… ‘bad acid’ is Justin Harris and Luke Solomon’s new baby and their tunes have been mixed for the cd by none other than Mr SWAG, Chris Duckenfield. Good call freaks, should be cool)
Honey Dijon has been out to Sydney a few times but I’ve not seen her play before, I was pretty keen to hear her here in London. In a few words… Very Chicago, very tall, very short skirt. Also a very damn good dj. She stepped it up a notch and had the club running until she pulled up stumps at about 330 in the am. She seemed almost surprised at the response she got from the crowd and as we clapped and cheered throughout and at the end of her set she seemed genuinely moved we’d enjoyed it so much. Nice. During the set I caught a few tunes, St Germain remix, feel my beat, a phil weeks mix of sneak and yousef, bushes!! She sampled and looped on the cdj and all in all was very impressive. She was given a hearty thanks by Solomon who tried his best to put her off during her last few tunes and derrick looked like he was playing with her chest to say thankyou. Whatever does it for you.
With a trip to the bar I caught 15 minutes or so of Rob Brown (Montreal) in the lounge who had the place going with a Fleetwood mac tune ‘who can it be now!’ which believe it or not worked quite well. We saw Rob Mello play at the last Classic night and would happily recommend you see him if you have the chance, although Im sure we didn’t see everything he had as he was warming the place up.
The Decibel Nazi was in the building with his little hand held metre. He would make appearances in the booth if the music was over the levels they have in place to keep the neighbours happy. Fair enough I suppose although the noise reduction was noticeable when he turned it down a few times.
DLC started around 330 and immediately chilled it down a notch. I was expecting an onslaught of tough Chicago house and some tech. He obviously had other ideas. He did have about 3 hours to play with I suppose! Unfortunately, I cant say how it ended up as I am old and grey and needed to get a taxi at a little after 4… it’s a bugger that I keep seeming to catch about ½ of his sets… next time derrick, next time!
Classic. Well, the music they make is pretty awesome, lots of variety, lots of producers and a few albums coming out here and there. The guys and girls are obviously great mates and their party is their opportunity to catch up, hang out and play some new stuff. They stuff around, have a fair few bevies and really enjoy themselves and that seems to rub off onto the crowd making for a great atmosphere. We really enjoyed the party, hard not to with a fantastic line up. Looking forward to the Christmas edition.