- Mocean – Campbell Parade, Bondi is home to a dark funky little bar. More impressive than the bar is the music policy, every night is host to a different type of music with everything form Hip Hop, RNB, Rare Groove and House getting a show in on a different night.
Tuesday nights are run by Teno & Jay who play a mixture of Hip Hop, RNB with a bit of funk thrown in and given that little bit of spice by the talented MC. Last week was a special night for the bar, DJ Dopey of Canada - the reigning DMC champion was treating the crowd to a demonstration of his skills behind the decks.
DJ Dopey has proved his technical ability behind the decks winning the world championships in 2003 and winning the Canadian comp 2 years running. Dopey’s win in 2003 has seen his career skyrocket with this Australian tour following a support act for Eminem. So to get see the talent of Dopey in an intimate setting was a rare treat.
I’m the first to admit that I’m not a massive Hip Hop or RNB fan, but I have to say I was converted on Tuesday night, Jay’s & Teno’s sets were outstanding, funky, good to listen to and the MC was so smooth if you couldn’t see him at work you would have thought it was part of the track. The crowd at Mocean on a Tuesday night was also excellent, obviously there because they love their music the young trendy crowd were dancing by 8pm all in prep for DJ Dopey.
DJ Dopey really showcased exactly why he won the DMC awards last year, it was amazing – I was impressed by his warm-up - let alone when he actually got going, at one point there was a deep base in the background with a cool beat layered over the top – it sounded great, I was impressed…then I realized that there was actually no vinyl on the decks and Dopey was using the decks like an instrument and creating the sound by holding the needle against the turntable, tapping the other needle and using the cross fader to blend it….I was stunned, the talent of the scratch DJ’s is beyond description.
I’d love to tell you where he’s on next but the 18 year old Dopey has headed back over to the US in prep for the 2004 DMC championships. However, if you do want a relaxed atmosphere, great crowd and more impressive Hip Hop and RNB on a Tuesday night you can catch Teno and Jay at Mocean every Tuesday.
The nights at Mocean include:
Tuesday – RNB & HipHop with Teno & Jay
Wednesday – House with Jamie Kaye and guests
Thursday – Rare Groove and Funk with Danny Bass
Friday – House with AJ, Woodsey and Lee Spatcher
Not forgetting the Sunday recovery – “Pick up the pieces” with roast lunches upstairs and a rotation of DJ’s including: Homegrown, Illya, Goodwill, Jackster, Tom da Silva, Phil Good playing a selection of old skool, soul, funk and house.
Mocean is at 34 Campbell Parade, Bondi.