RE: AJ ClubScene Worldwide - Brighton, England

From: Kerr, Jim (jkerr@hbase.com)
Date: Wed Apr 18 2001 - 13:59:22 CEST

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    We did this one about 2 years ago but it's high time for an update:

    I'm back in my home town of Brighton, Sussex by the sea, England, having
    spent nearly 4 years in New York where my Acid Jazz fixes came fairly
    regularly from those awfully nice Giants Steps people, plus 3 geezers by the
    name of Clausell, Krivit and Kervorkian.

    Don't be scared away by reports of mad hoof and mouth - the seaside may get
    a little more crowded this summer, but there is still plenty of relaxed
    clubbing to be had.

    It's high times for our local footie team who are just about to get promoted
    to the second division. They play sparkling football in a municipal ground
    that has a kind of shabby charm. Also on top of his game is the legendary
    Russ Dewbury - to my mind the true Midfield General of Brighton. Guest DJs
    always keep it tight at the back (particularly memorable recent nights from
    the Nuphonic boys and Chris and Ben from Mr Bongo Records); Russ keeping it
    Sven Erikson-like early evening but invariably off the bench and pulling out
    the crowd-pleasers before the final whistle. The space may feel a bit like
    Withdean Stadium at times, but this man really is at the roots of what this
    list is all about. Check out the Jazz Rooms (Ship Street, Fridays and
    Saturdays) site, and I've also taken the liberty of forwarding an example of
    a bit of Russ' 'Premier League' customer care policy ;)

    If you wanna get your Hoxton Mohawk sorted for the weekend and check out
    what those deeply fashionable Off Centre people are up to, join them on the
    monthly Brighton dirty weekend at the recently refurbished Ocean Rooms. To
    my shame, I've been down once only - months ago - but did get a bit
    over-excited by first Ross Allen then Patrick Forge in the main room. Was a
    bit pissed as well but memories of the MJ Cole 'Getting in the Way' rmx for
    the first time and Mr Forge dropping Expansions with a huge grin on his face
    still crystal clear.

    The Concorde (Madeira Drive) has some great live shows but Thursdays and
    Sundays can be a bit hit or miss. The recent Da Lata and Ronny Jordan show
    was embarrassingly under-attended for a town that is home of the Jazz Bop.
    (Ann Robinson voice): 'People, can we do better for Marlena Shaw
    please?'(Brighton Jazz Bop, Corn Exchange, 26 May, also featuring Nathan
    Haines).

    Robert Luis has got the leftfield sewn-up. I don't think this guy has put a
    foot wrong through the years of Shake Yer Wig, Vibez Express and now Phonic
    Hoop, Friday and Saturday nights at The Enigma. He's boss of the Tru
    Thoughts label. And he gets his mate Mr Scruff down the Concorde once a
    month for a 6 hour set. Say no more.

    There's an outfit called ESP who put on a show with Hefner and Smith &
    Mighty just recently. They've switched homes just and are about to launch a
    Thursday night at The Ocean Rooms.

    The Big Beat Boutique just celebrated its 5th birthday party at The
    Concorde. The London mags have probably written it off by now but I had a
    massive night there a few weeks ago at the Groove Armada show. Queen Zoe
    there a couple of weeks after the baby, so respect to that.

    I'm a bit old for Garage but you can get your jollies every Tuesday at the
    Escape. I think the Twice As Nice crowd come down once a month.

    The rather frightening prospect of Cream setting up shop on the seafront
    happily seems to be a non-starter, so we have this huge white elephant
    development on the site of the old Concorde. Perhaps Eric can organize a
    whip-round and we could set up our own club ;)

    Record shops - I try and stick with one. Rounder. Some of the most pleasant
    people you are likely to find in a record store. They are always helpful and
    courteous and, if you can fight your way through the line of kids buying
    tickets to the local 'ard 'ouse nights, there's usually a bunch of new vinyl
    on the counter that you can grab and stick on the deck. Add to this copious
    and enthusiastic notes stickers attached to each record and a window full of
    flyers for all the local nights. The boys also have a website and still find
    time to do a twice monthly night down at the Gap Club in Hove. Sorted.

    Check also Borderline (good on Jazz, funk reissues), Urban (always a bit of
    a racket when you walk in but very enthusiastic about their deep house white
    labels), store in Bond Street - forget the name - great US hip hop imports
    and some nice second hand stuff. For real straight ahead Jazz heads, theres
    a place called Recordland just down from the station - some classic Blue
    Note originals, Japanese imports and re-issues and some gems downstairs for
    break-heads. Opposite the station is what claims to be Britain's oldest
    record store run by a very old-skool shop-keeper. He hates CDs and won't
    order them for you but can get hold of just about any movie soundtrack ever
    released. He takes great pride in his window, changing it each week to
    display soundtracks to movies on at the local arthouse cinema, the Duke of
    Yorks, or on the telly. Sadly, he was mugged in his shop about 2 years ago
    and badly beaten up but he is back in there, truly keepin it real, so pop in
    and show your respect if you are in town.

    If anyone is passing through this summer, drop me a line. I throw about
    three afternoon/evening parties in a very secret spot and all listees would
    be welcome.

    Jim

    dear jim
    will try to remember.....make sure you come down early as its been packed
    lately.....special guest dj nick the record

    regards
    Russ Dewbury
    ----------
    >From: "Kerr, Jim" <jkerr@hbase.com>
    >To: "'info@jazzbop.co.uk'" <info@jazzbop.co.uk>
    >Subject: Jazz Rooms Friday
    >Date: Tue, Apr 17, 2001, 10:32 am
    >

    >Russ
    >
    >yet another classic bank holiday session
    >my birthday on May 11 - 35 years young and I'll be bringing along a big big
    >crowd
    >can you pack the Naima that was played very late last Friday and I think is
    >on Patrick Forge's Excursions. That would be very special
    >
    >Peas,
    >Jim Kerr
    >

    -----Original Message-----
    From: nethed [mailto:nethed@ninjatune.net]
    Sent: 18 April 2001 08:46
    To: acid-jazz@ucsd.edu
    Subject: Re: AJ ClubScene Worldwide

    Sorry if this thread happened b4 - I've been sitting on this
    list for over a year now and...
    The post about the AJ scene (or lack of it) got me thinking.

    There are lots of people on this list from all over the world.
    What is your local venue and/or night for acid jazz, hip hop, beats etc?
    We know that Gilles does a club night @ Bar Rhumba in London and
    Straight No Chaser Magazine lists lots of events worldwide...
    But, let's say I'm planning to go to Sonar in June (Barcelona)
    or make a weekend shopping Excursion to your town...
    Where would I go to hear funky jazzy stuff in Bangkok, Singapore,
    Tokyo, Paris, Dublin, Glasgow???
    AND more important...what real world record shops would I find there?



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