From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2003-12-22 21:01:06
Happy xmas & nu year...
Rainy City presents Joe Claussell, Phil Asher & Patrick Forge (Inspiration Information) at the Music Box, Manchester. 8th November 2003.
Hailing from a city famed for its precipitational down pours and cool northern winds, the joyous sun-fuelled Mediterranean and Brazilian tinged output of Rainy City belies their geographical location. Committed to bringing only the finest guests to their sporadic yet impressive jaunts at the cavernous and grimy Music Box, their dedication to the music they love must be commended. This event saw NYC legend Joe Claussell spin an excellent varied set to an appreciate crowd in the main room. The cosy backroom witnessed two London heroes, Phil Asher & Patrick Forge, bring the play-what-you-feel vibes of their weekly ‘Inspiration Information’ shindig to Manchester.
As a DJ, Joe rose to prominence as the deeper-minded of the renowned ‘Body & Soul’ trio of DJs, alongside drummer turned label boss and studio supremo Francois K and Disco don Danny Krivit. Also a producer of repute, Joe’s Spiritual Life imprint has written the template for those fusing world flavours with heart-stopping epic and tender Housed grooves. Not one to embrace publicity or look for commercial success that his music undoubtedly deserves, Joe prefers to let music do the talking. Taking up the position in front of the decks after Rainy City’s own Irfan, Joe’s demeanour and obvious excitement was matched by the smiles and exuberant dancing of those who’d come to witness him. He capitalised on the infectious atmosphere, amazing all with his incredible mixing style, as he dropped a broad spectrum of musical gems. Choice cuts included a deep spiritual reinterpretation of Donna Allen’s “He Is The Joy” and MAW’s slightly smoother Housed version of Georg Levin’s ecstat!
ic “(I Got) Somebody New”. Irfan’s admirable open-minded warm-up had got the crowd in the mood for Joe’s appearance. The selection from the Rainy City boss included Yam Who’s delightful spiritual-hop rub of Pharrell’s “Frontin’” and Nu Yorican Soul’s dazzling “Nervous Track”.
Initially offered a main-room warm up slot, Phil Asher opted instead to bring in cohort Patrick Forge and show the Music Box what ‘Inspiration Information’ is all about. Akin to other refreshingly flexible musical throw downs, Phil and Patrick’s weekly Friday night affair offer selections powered by an understanding that music should be categorised on its ability to stir the emotions, not by its tempo or percussive style. Therefore, the pair brought a wide-ranging array of platters out for those who could tear themselves away from Irfan & Claussell, to venture as far as the backroom. Phil’s own easy going “Having Your Fun” was one of the tracks that went down well.
This night brought together a collection of similarly minded musical genii with essentially the same focus and motivation. They understand the power of the music they are immersed in, and wish to spread it as far and wide as possible. At the end of the day, these are the people who will keep the scene alive.
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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