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