Review: UFO at Liquid Room (Tokyo)


Gen Kanai (gkanai@earthlink.net)
Thu, 27 May 1999 22:17:09 +0900



AJers,

I had the opportunity to check out UFO (United Future Organization) in
their hometown with their hometown crowd at the record release party for
their new full-length "Bon Voyage." What a crowd! My god, Liquid is a
pretty large venue compared to what I know in Los Angeles and the place was
packed, wall-to-wall with people grooving.

I didn't buy the new album because I know I'll get it cheaper here when it
comes out domestic but from what they spun, it sounds like an eclectic mix.
 I have no idea if what they spun comes close to what the album is like
(most likely not) but I heard samba, salsa, Fela-ish stuff, techno, house,
d'n'b, and acid-jazzy stuff too. It was really like taking a trip around
the world to dance music. I think UFO is definetly expanding their sound
to encompass some of the newer trends. Not sure how I feel about it but
I'm pretty sure what they spin live is a lot more dance-y/house-y than what
the album will be like.

My friend, who's not into the scene per se, commented that he thought it
was funny that the Tokyo crowd was all dancing towards the DJs even though
all they were doing were spinning records. I guess in Tokyo, UFO has
reached a certain level of stardom that the crowd wants to check them out
even if they're just spinning records.

We got in free because a friend of a friend's company was recording the
event for a webcast. As soon as I find out more about when that's
available, I'll be sure to let you all know.

Gen, who is back from Tokyo and who caught a cold and is sick in bed on
antibiotics...yuck!



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