[acid-jazz] Southport Weekender

From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2003-12-15 18:56:05

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    An edited version of this write-up amalgamated with another review appeas in Keep
    On 002.

    Southport Weekender. 31st October to 2nd November 2003.

    The Weekender is now in its sixteenth year at the present location of Pontins,
    nestled amongst the sand dunes and a stones throw away from the coast.
    Decidedly breezy conditions befall the autumnal session, which does not put off
    the hordes from far and wide that descend on the location for a very special
    soul-infected three-day marathon.

    An incredibly unique experience, the weekender is a spirit invigorating life-
    affirming event. It has the power to induce goose pimples from just memories
    of the occasion. To truly understand the power of the weekend, one must attend
    and become part of the friendly atmosphere, alongside five thousand other souls
    united by a love of music. No amount of enthusiastic praise can accurately
    describe the life-changing qualities of this event.
             
    Conceived as a celebration of soul music, the event has diversified to become a
    haven for lovers of music with melody and emotion. The DJs in attendance
    understand the philosophy behind the Southport Weekender and what it
    symbolises. They realise it is about music which stands the test of time. In
    effect, this produces a careful and refreshing balance between giving dues to
    musical masterpieces of the past, as well as championing current hot tunes and
    exclusive cd-r’s. The reason for this is that brilliant music is timeless.
    Bob Jones dropping Ce Ce Rodger’s hoping beyond all hopes “Someday” produced
    the same emotional response of pure elation as Richard Searling playing Marvin
    Gaye’s questioning “What’s Going On” and even Ron Carroll’s PA of his
    ecstatic “Back Together”.

    An inspirational line-up was divided between a quartet of rooms equipped with
    ear-perfect sound systems. Each room represented a different strand of soul
    and therefore had its own character and musical plan of action. The
    centrepiece was the fittingly titled and incredibly overwhelming ‘Powerhouse’.
    With at times over-blown visuals, this colossal expansive space played home to
    unadulterated House orientated grooves. Friday night had a homegrown feel,
    from the preponderance of UK based DJs and live acts performing. The crowd
    witnessed a committed and passionate live performance from Nathan Haines,
    accompanied by a full live band. The pinnacle of their concert was the sing-
    along brilliance of the decidedly positive “Earth Is The Place”. Reel People’s
    live showing did not impress quite as much. Perhaps this was partly because
    their gorgeously heartfelt signature track, “Can’t Stop”, was left till last.
    Joey Negro provided an extraordinarily people pleasing set of credible disco-
    touched House. It was surprisingly not quite as varied or as satisfying his
    accompanying Southport Mix CD, but it was still special courtesy of cuts like
    the MAW ‘remix’ of Georg Levin’s ecstatic “I Got Somebody New”.

    Over in the chic ‘Bacardi B Bar’ with its stylish yet impractical carpet,
    boundaries were being pushed and beats were being broken. Snowboy took to the
    controls early on and bamboozled the majority with some high-energy jazz
    action, as dancers got down to forceful brass and crashing drums. Mr. Scruff
    treated the crowd to relaxed hop and rough bass grooves alongside some of his
    old soul faves and more contemporary fair. Those buzzing Bugz transported
    Southport all the way to West London for a Sunday Co-op session type dance.
    Dark fractured beats, sub-bass foghorn blasts and probing technoid keys made up
    the majority of their set. They also showed a lighter side to their character,
    with affable vocal escapades such MAW’s remix of Luther Vandross’s pained “Are
    You Using Me?”

    While the ‘Funkbase’ focussed on today’s US orientated often superficially
    minded R’n’B and Hip Hop, the ‘Connoisseur’s Corner’ celebrated original
    soulful favourites and feeling-drenched contemporary gems. Bob Jones showed
    that today’s music is in keeping with the same vibe as yesteryears, with a
    supremely touching section. Cuts of note included East West Connection’s
    addictive “The More I Get” and DJ Oji’s “We Lift Our Hands In The Sanctuary”, a
    record that perfectly summed up the togetherness felt in this room throughout
    the three days. Norman Jay provided a superior ‘Original rare groove session’
    to his un-enthralling House set in the ‘Powerhouse’, thanks to gripping numbers
    such as Donna Summer’s raunchy “Spring Affair”. The Saturday afternoon
    famed ‘Modern and Classic Soul Session’ was a magical affair of musical
    closeness, with smiles a plenty and bodies moving in tandem to gentle
    tracks.

    Saturday night in the ‘Powerhouse’ was a New York House aficionado’s wet
    dream. Masters At Work’s eagerly awaited eight-deck marathon was the supposed
    apex of the weekend and the enormous location for their set was filled to
    bursting point. Encompassing everything from cold-hearted electronics to full
    on emotive vocal House cuts, their four-hour performance showed flashes of
    brilliance and moments of mediocrity in equal amounts. With the help of Blaze,
    the omnipresent Nathan Haines, who lent a hand to many a live performance over
    the weekend, and others, Kenny and Louie did create an impressive showpiece for
    Southport. Highlights of their performance included India’s insomnia driven “I
    Can’t Get No Sleep”, Yam Who’s re-rub of Pharell’s truthful “Frontin’” and Joe
    Smooth’s “Promised Land”, a call for love.

    Kerri Chandler provided the actual high point in terms of ‘Powerhouse’
    performances, with a set that blew the crowd’s minds. His choice of deep,
    uplifting and classic House music was precisely what was needed at six am.
    Moving seamlessly between styles and sub-genres, his jaw-dropping selection
    embodied a true musical journey. His inspired selection included Rolando’s
    string-led “Jaguar”, the encouraging MK mix of the Nightcrawler’s “Push The
    Feeling On” and Inner City’s fervent “Big Fun” segued into their cheerful “Good
    Life”. By playing Mr. Fingers’s “Can U Feel It?”, Kerri asked a rhetorical
    question.

    The Saturday night session in the ‘Bacardi B Bar’ witnessed a variety of
    musical masters at the top of their game. Jazzy Jeff, popularly known for his
    appearance alongside a sub-standard pop rapper turned film star with a large
    ego, showed he is still “Magnificent”. His technically amazing and musically
    agreeable selection covered a vast amount of ground. He can’t be ashamed of
    his past, as he played the familiar laidback “Summertime”. Peven Everett’s
    heartfelt key and vocal performance brought home how far he’s progressed since
    lending his vocals to Roy Davis Jr’s spiritual “Gabrielle”. The raw energy was
    tangible and his accompanying band members also played passionately. A certain
    Mr. Haines also popped up for some impassioned flute acrobatics.

    Sunday afternoon’s closing session was focussed on the ‘Powerhouse’.
    Venezuelan nu-guns Los Amigos Invisibles were an energetic force to be reckoned
    with, as they showcased cuts from their MAW produced debut long player.
    Jonathan and Bob Jeffries then wound up Southport Weekender 33 with some disco
    heavy housed up flavours. They ended their set with Hardsoul feat. Ron
    Carroll’s joyful “Back Together”. The end of this record marked the close of
    one of the few events that represents all that clubbing should be about.

    Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
    reviewer and writer for the following
    websites and magazines: Blues & Soul Magazine,
    FACT Magazine,littleplanet.net, City Life Magazine,
    XLR8R Magazine, Keep On Magazine, pitchadjust.com,
    beyondjazz.net, Store Records(Sheffield),
    cratertechnology.com, vybemuzik.com, Steel Press,
    deephousenetwork.com, offitsface.com, Sandman mag,
    breakevencrew.com, overloadmedia.co.uk, funk-me.com,
    Vanguard online, quadrastate.co.uk, spaced.co.uk,
    beats.to, housecollective.org, capitolvibes.com,
    www.selekta.com, djriri.com, universalsource.co.uk,
    Inner Loop Magazine, housemuziq.com, undergroundhouse.net, worlddj.com,
    mosoul.co.uk, discotribe.net, flygarictracks.com,
    skansen.no, nwdnb.co.uk
    planetsoulnetwork.com
    allaboutdj.com
    mundovibes.com...
    Writer for:
    Brique Rouge, Exceptional Records,
    Foreplay Recordings,
    Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
    Spiritual Life Music and more...

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