dance massive

Rip It Up, Issue 225, 1 May 1996, Page 27

dance massive

HiHTiTiiTJi "Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." — Ferris Bueller.

How' about that Pauly of OMC, eh? Single of the year at the overpriced music awards, NZ's biggest selling single since yonks ago, and now a Number 1 in Australia.-,What's going on? Oh, well, nice work, mate. Congratulations to you and Simon, you’ve done us proud, and don't worry;, I : won’t tell anyone about that boat trip ... the mix tape competition is 5 humming along nicely? It’s so cool to arrive at work each morning with the unknown pleasures of a new mix tape to listen to. Thankydu and respect to all who've entered so . far. Unfortunately, due to a space problem . this issue, my editor has demanded my mix tape reviews be held back until [ next 'month? So, everyone hang tight for the June issue for full reviews and final results.'Such a shame to let that Numarkgo, hmmmm... Okay, sure, we're living in Bitch City, I know,’but last month was pretty shocking for, general behind the scenes bickering.*.What with irate, jealous promoters bobbing each other in to the liquor authorities, making noise complaints? a certain somebody claiming on bFMthat someone else’s dhnce party had been cancelled due to the salient promoters not paying their, bills (Which is another story altogether)/ Meanwhile, the record shop owners continue to be major paranoid of each "other (the drugs?), and a cer'tain weirdo DJ even |offered me “drugs, sex, man, whatever you , want”. Yeah, okay, he was drunk, but ya gotta laugh, don't ya? ...

2Wired with Alex Paterson and Technova at The’ Club on March was, as you know (’cause I saw you there), a sell-out: Good for the promoters, but let’s be honest: it was a bit jammed in there which made it that wee bit harder to get a vibe going. Technova was a revelation (look for Technova ; remixes of Salmonella Dub,’ released in June). Playing live downstairs, he delivered a sterling set of dubby house and techno beats, with a dash of jungleism. Just as well he turned down that last spliff from Jim, I guess. I saw Alex before he played. He was backstage.downstairs, flat on. his

back in some kind of weird pre-set meditation ritual, (either that or he was still hungover from Wellington).' His set of classy, pure techno was kinda average. Gideon put him to shame. The Orb live, now, that would be another story ... Easter weekend 'saw the i Nick O’Angelo multi-venue production roll back into action with it's usual efficiency, Cheap Sex, Wet N Wild, and the last ever Retro (don’t forget, Nicky D, you promised!) were all packed and jumpin' ... Vision On was back at Squid on April 13. The first floor was an adventure through dub reggae, and the top bar, of course; a night of pumping house with DJB, G-Spot. Clarkee and Chris W on turntable patrol ... on the same night was Dark Forces in The Box, with Sam, Dean and Greg doing the ‘dark vibes’. thing, and DJB and Chelsea, as usual,’ in the Ice Box (with new paint job and wicked couches!), dropping house flavour and jungle science ... which is exactly what you’ll get at the next Jungle Soundclash on May 4 at Papa ['Jacks,'/.with' DJB,' .DLT, 48Sonic, Riddle and Pots providing the breaks ... the very stylee Brazil on K’ Road now have a drum .’n’ bass night called One Way on the first Thursday of every month. The first one featured Mindbender. Conspiracy and; Sidekick. Top marks to Brazil for putting in the killer soundsystem. May 2 will feature OJB, 48 Sonic and Conspiracy ... on May 10, Shadowlands — a journey through the murky world of hard trance and lush drum ’n’. bass’, ■ with D-Rave, DJB, 48 Sonic, Gideon and Albion — is at The Foundry ... a welcome new addition to’ the scene is Strut, at Manifesto every Friday /throughout May. Reece Jensen and guests play in the underground vault, whipping up a no-compromise blend of bumping garage and classy house, while upstairs Gary D Lishus (a crossdressing DJ) plays an eclectic mix of all that is funky. Be warned though, this is grown up music for grown up people ... also on the regular tip, check Celebre on Wednesday nights for some more sexy house action (with a dash of smooth drum bass) with DJB and the BPM lads ... every Saturday night, downstairs at The Club on Queen Street, you’ll find. The Electronic Lounge, with DJs play- ’ ing quality music in a relaxed envi-

ronment ... De Brett’s have done renovations and have two hew bars. The Spin Bar for hip-hop flavour with Andy Vann, and the Redzone. where G-Spot and guests serve up house . beats, with. UK ' Clubland Thursday, featuring strictly ex-pat UK DJs ... DJ Sneak was to play The Box in May, but he’has been postponed as he is apparently in hospital after a drug overdose. Little Louie is still lined up for July, and Lenny D is confirmed to play The Box, May 31;?? in July/August Artspace is planning a major project called Electronic Bodyscapes, ' featuring various multi-media displays to examine the way digital media is changing our ideas of the physical limits of the body. There will be a dance party on July 27 to profile the convergence of visual arts; performance and moving image in an experimental extension of the dance party environment. Any interested DJs or live dance acts should send a tape (with an emphasis on the experimental, 'progressive tip) to Lisa C/- the Moving Image Centre, PO Box 106-097, Auckland; or call her on 373-2772. The recent Boiler Room party , was the biggest and best yet from the infamous Madhouse[Crew ... Jochen is moving to Melbourne, so it’s now up to someone else to get into some promotion. Any takers? ... Nebuliza buzzed the Globe Theatre on April 27 with the Eden crew from Welli on turntable patrol.; ■ HUIUffM I spent a week in Well! over April, and got to check out the new Tatou basement (after all the fucking around, I had to see it myself to believe it), and although still unfinished. (the bar will help), it’s a wicked space with a killer soundsystem.' Check the Eden crew with. the Cyberiron Lounge on Thursdays, Clinton and Andee at Home on . Fridays, and on Saturdays, Stevie B. With a such a full on dance space downstairs, upstairs has mutated into a classy chill space, with free (pool and chilled sounds from Stevie B and Liam ... The Globe bar,on Cuba street is now using DJs.'Active’s Wednesday Nightyarn /hosts Jaz and Vishal play live every Thursday, [ and The Globe hosted Leviate in April, with Liam, " Lou Tennant.

Lemon and Lolli playing an eclecticmix of house, retro, trip-hop and techno.' Despite a thin turn-out, fun was had by all, and the flyers looked awesome ... a couple of dodgy sub; versive DJ types are plotting a pirate; radio station for weekend broad ; casts ... coming up on May 10 at ESC is Deep, featuring UK house DJ Nicky 1 Holloway ] and his Aussie mate i Mel , Russell, with support from Mu; Leon and the Babes ’n the Hood posse ... at .Taki Rua: some time late in May comes the DJ Sweet (Sure Ting [Productions) organised From the Deep, a deep house party, with Andee, Lemon, Schmoo, Mu and Sweet ... look out for (the apparently big budget) Pure Essence in Shed 21. with Lenny D, Conspiracy and other local DJs on June 1 ... the mighty Roots Foundation are plotting their next appearance and are set to lay down the crucial dub-wise/jungleist audio medication on June 7. More details next month ... the EXP/Obscure production Transit has been delayed because Leon has too much on his plate as it is, but the Transit CD is at preproduction stage,[with tracks from LRS and Donclt confirmed, and much more to come ... lastly, congratulations to’Active for' pulling off the ambitous Action, held at La Luna from 7AM, April 20, and going on for another action packed 20 hours of DJ, fuelled madness, including the Seven Lucky Winds of the White Jade Dragon Garden with Lounge DJs. EDEDHEEEEH A quiet month down south, but check out Spellbound on May . 18, in the Limes Room at the Town Hall.Full DJ line-up to be confirmed, but Tobin. Lotus and Kinesis will play with a couple of live acts: Look out for posters. ' [ ’ Just to hand... UK drum ’n’ bass innovators Springheel Jack will perform live shows across the nation in late June. Check, out 1995’s There Are Strings LP (Trade/Festival) for some pre-show sonic research ... the mighty Dub Syndicate are expected to drop in for. nationwide' dates’ sometime in August, to promote the new Ital 'Breakfast LP (On-U/Flying In) ... anyone, who . wants .to front their, stuff in the column, give us a call and give up the goods. Stay safe, now. 3 r ,; - ANDY PICKERING (DJB)