Venue: Plan B, Brixton, London
Date: 12-02-2010
Line-up: David Rodigan, Hatcha, Ntype, Walsh, Heny G, Jay 5, Soul Jazz, Youngsta, Flava D, Apple Blim, Ramadan Man, JDA Flex, Scientist, Oneman Brokey, Ms Dynamite.
MC: Crazy D, Viper, Mad B, Toast
When I arrived there was still quite a large queue of people outside, waiting to get into from what the word-on-my- phone was a slamming party; with that line up I suppose it could not have been anything but that! On this night Sin city records, meet-head-to-head with the Red Bull Music Academy.
After saying goodbye to those ever so kind security guards on the door, I immediately was embraced by the hard-hitting vocals of the one like Ms Dynamite: "What! What!" reverberating through the spaces left unoccupied in the main room. The place was buzzing and her vocals seemed to add to what seemed to be quite an energetic atmosphere. At this point Room 1 was bursting and I couldn’t help but ponder the fate of those outside. There was most definitely a buzz as Ms Dynamite performed on stage, both her and the music sounding great and as she was just finishing by that time I said my "hey, hey’s"!
As I looked around everyone was jumping and they sure as hell didn’t look like they were going to be taking a nap anytime soon when DJ Rodigan stepped up on to the main stage for his hour of power. I like to think of him as DJ meets storyteller, a wise soul trying to educate the generations that are coming up underneath him. He did what he does best, playing a selection of exclusive dub plates from out of 'Jamaica Way', telling the tales of the King Tubby sound. I guess his sets are actually a story, his story of musical tales from way back when to present day. Truly entertaining in every way plus he is the only DJ who would play tunes like "On the Rocks" by Mavado followed by "My Girl Lollipop"! There was nothing but a saluting crowd with the flicker of camera flashes showing appreciation- Hold tight DJ Rags, as she was singing along with pretty much everyone else next to me at this point!
While the bulk of the masses were upstairs, those among us who tend to smile subtly at the feeling generated by that of a low frequency sound wave, were getting ready for Youngsta; to bring forth the sounds of some dark and dangerous Dubstep; deep, down underground in the basement room of Plan B. Two good friends- Dean and Nina, had already taken refuge in front of one of the speakers situated in one of the corners, bracing themselves for the impact that this DJ never fails to bring. He played a great set, he kept it mellow, not allowing the energy levels to peak too high, doing what he does best, a mix and a subtle blend- a DJ for the eyes down listener, for the bass hunters that lurk in those venues that provide those big city nights with Toast hosting alongside for what was a great set. The only thing that marred Youngstas performance however, was the sound. Room two really could just do with a little bit more sub! With those low ceilings and it's box like shape, it'd be fantastic if it was just that little bit louder, maybe a word with management from you readers will get things changed!
After Youngsta, SoulJazz played a collection of Dub and Reggae to an appreciative crowd of folk who where either still intact after Youngsta set or had flowed downstairs during DJ Brockies DnB & Jungle set. Both rooms as this point were pumping out a selection of tunes for the connoisseur and for us young 'uns that wished we were part of the crowd that first witnessed such tunes back when the acetate was just freshly pressed.
Send it out to the SoulJazz collective once more, it is always a pleasure to hear them play! Their sound complemented Heny G and Jay 5 who stepped into the booth next- an old school partnership that likes to bring with them the melodies of Gangsta Boogie Music and Anti Social Entertainment. They definitely have their own swagger, selecting from an arsenal of in-house productions to the likes of Skream, Mala, D1, Kromestar and Benga. Speaking of Kromestar, his self and Walsh where throwing down some wobblers like 'Jabba Jaw' in the main room, sending those basslines running through a moving crowd. MC's Crazy D and Mad B where hosting, with man like Viper & Ms Dynamite joining in the fray. That mic was being passed around, as if it were a hot potato, definitely a treat for everyone inside. It was truly a great show from the Biscuit Factory partnership. Basslines were indeed running through everyones body at this particular point in time.
For the rest of the night my attention was focused upstairs. As the clock struck four, Hatcha and N-Type stepped up to command the crowd’s attention. With a filthy assortment of jump-up Dubstep rhythms they did just that. Hold tight N-Type letting off one of my favorite tunes of the moment 'Exterminate'! Their back-to-back consisted of a number of energetic tunes from the likes of Jakes, Distance, Flux Pavilion, Benga, and their own in-house productions. Check out 'Wheel & Deal Records' for a list of tracks by The Others and an array of newcomers.
The night finished of with a set from J Da Flex representing the Ghost camp. For those with the stamina, he came with some new levels for us, continuing where N-Type & Hatcha left off, rolling out tracks like 'Club Music- El-B featuring D Twist' and 'Knucklin' featuring Jammer', as well as bits from the man like Skream. He played a high octane set for those who still had the stamina to dance it out to the end. It was a great party for the month of February. I truly am looking forward to what the boys and girls at Sin City have on the bill for us next!
By Grand
like it man!
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