From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-10-18 00:11:14
Event Review: Electric Souls Weekender.
Once again, the Chair grew wings and flew to the hills of Frodsham, followed by devotees of the Unabomber’s monthly subterranean shindigs and other music lovers. Building on the success of last year’s soul-invigorating cliff-top event, the ambitious Electriks crew opted to stretch their party out over two days, with a Saturday afternoon knees-up at Arch and a Sunday evening session at Canteena, as well as the Frodsham based extravaganza. A mainly UK based line-up of DJing types and live acts made up the impressive line-up on Saturday night at the View. The music providers must have been hand picked in order to reflect the full range of the Chair’s musical policy and to entice as many souls as possible to make the trip.
The scenic View may not be the easiest club to get to, but it is undeniably worth the journey along the motorway. The unique four-roomed venue takes its name from the breath-taking panorama observable from the modestly sized Live Room and the rectangular City Soundclash bar. As with last year’s event, this party was worth attending for the wonderful atmosphere alone, without even considering the brilliant music on offer. The Live Room played host to sets from up and coming starlet Ayah, UK-based soul-hop troup D’Nell and German visionary Henrik Schwarz. Ayah’s selection encompassed a range of upbeat and downbeat material, but only her respectful cover of Gwe McCrae’s “All The Love That I’m Giving” and Chair favourite, “Let Me Know”, really captured the imagination. D’Nell’s cool soul-hopped grooves worked well, despite an unconvincing performance from some of the musicians, and Mr. Schwarz rounded off the live proceedings, with his intense mind-altering compostions. Th!
e City Soundclash bar was just that, with the Unabomber’s drafting in their friends from other musical strongholds to show a unity based on a common love of music and respect for one another. Liverpool’s Phil Charnock warmed things up with some relaxed grooves, before Lights Down Low supreme Chris Lowlife and the problem solving Jigsaw Music crew showed their musical colours. The ‘Bombers completed the musical detonations in this space.
The expansive and gorgeously decorated Electric Discotek was the scene for a pirate soul bootleggers battle, with Yam Who taking on the stubble-chinned Blackbeard. The soulful cannons launched from the speakers included Tiffany Villareal’s lambasting “You, Yourself and You” and the QSO’s funked-off re-rub of “Heard It All Before”. Eclectic radio Daddy Gilles Peterson took charge in this room later on, treating the listening public to an array of infectious aural delights. His energetic D‘n’B section was received surprisingly well by the dancing public, with Roni Size’s elasticated “Brown Paper Bag” being the highlight. This room was also the setting for Disco don Joey Negro’s set.
The tunnel-like low-ceilinged basement played host to a quartet of pioneering record spinners. Kelvin Brown’s early doors selection was followed by a decidedly odd set from Platinum Pied Pipers man Wajeed, who despite being known as a hip-hop and soul head, proceeded to drop the Eurhythmic’s contemplative “Sweet Dreams” and other unanticipated cuts. Gilles P’s former understudy Benji B then swung by to drop some deviating numbers, and Osunlade rounded off the night in the sweat-riddled subterranean space. Appearing with the distinctive bone through his nose and spinning from only CD’s, the spiritual House pioneer played an emotionally demanding set. Speaker distortion and the heat paled into insignificance, as Osunlade span an impeccable array of deep, melodic and percussive music that included his own revision of Tortured Soul’s frightened “I Might Do Something Wrong” and Luis Salinas’s magical “Pienso En Ti”. He had the highly receptive crowd in the palm of his hand t!
hroughout his mind-blowing set, and the power of the music made independent thought difficult.
How about an Electric Souls week next time?
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
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