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Old-school masters show upstarts how it's done
By Scott Manson, London Lite 27.07.07
MAW's Kenny Dope will be giving the new Ministry of Sound speakers a workout on Saturday
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I went to visit a mate's brother in his university halls the other day. They had an annual open day, which is a nice event that colleges hold so people like me will have a chance to feel old. The feeling started as soon as we got to the hall of residence and saw a sign on the door that said "end world hunger now".
This reminded me that there was a time in my life, a decade or so ago, when I was so full of vim and vigour that I was not only going to end world hunger, but also eliminate racism and stop war, mostly through the medium of drinking tea, eating chocolate digestives and watching Neighbours. Today my life goals, judged by the notes I leave myself, tend to be along the lines of "buy washing powder".
Another thing that has endured among students is their penchant for advertising their musical tastes on the walls. My thing, back in the day, was rave flyers, bits of coloured cardboard highlighting the parties and DJs I'd enjoyed or admired. Although many of the former have moved on to the more lucrative world of movie soundtrack making or writing advertising jingles, it's heartening to see that many of the original legends are still blowing up dancefloors across the capital.
This weekend sees an unusually large collection of old-school heroes and original house sound nights in the capital for your listening pleasure. Is there some sort of secret conference they are all in town for that we don't know about?
Classic UK garage and soulful house are on the menu at LemonGrass at Holland Park's Blag Club on Friday. Lovers of original London garage will appreciate DJ Stevie T's skilful weaving of the best of the old and the new at this always-rammed monthly hoedown.
On the same night, the legendary Peach returns to Heaven with the Keith Richards of dance music, Graham Gold, at the controls. He's joined for this pumping house night by John "00" Fleming, Darren Pearce and the Hey Gorgeous boys, Rico and Tomo.
Finally, The Orb's Alex Paterson has been coaxed out of his bathchair and will take on the Trojan Records posse and beatboxer-of-the-moment Beardyman at Cargo.
Saturday's big news is the return of the seminal New York house label Strictly Rhythm. The all-star cast who'll be giving the new Ministry of Sound speakers a workout include MAW's Kenny Dope, Simon Dunmore and DJ Spen.
Over at The End, Josh Wink (of Higher State of Consciousness fame) takes on Darren Emerson in a techno and house showdown that is sure to be nothing short of spectacular.
Finally, Brixton's Plan B has managed to coax Danny Rampling out of retirement for one night so he can remind us just why he's still the king of soulful house. He's joined on the decks by the equally celebrated old-school house head Trevor Fung.
Dance music should be forward-looking but it doesn't hurt to remember its roots. The DJs and sounds that helped inform today's tunes still have the ability to rock a dance floor, as this weekend will surely demonstrate.
• clubland@thelondonlite.co.uk
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