Clubs PROFILE
www.list.co.uk/clubs Prins Thomas
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KRAAK & SMAAK Occupation: Dutch purveyors of crispy funk and futuristic jazzy beats.
Kraak & Smaak? Is this some new high-class drugs combo I’ve never heard of before? While we’re sure they get the double meaning it actually translates as ‘Crunch & Taste’ in their native Dutch and, rather confusingly, they’re a trio consisting of Oscar de Jong, Mark Kneppers and Wim Plug. Fair enough. So what’s their pedigree? They released their first 12in back in 2003, signing to Jalapeno Records and soon picking up fans of their electro grooves and deep funk – Annie Nightingale, Pete Tong, Annie Mac and Rob da Bank among others – while landing remix work for the likes of Jamiroquai, Mark Rae, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Sam Sparro and Soul of Man.
Sounds good, what about their own output? Well there have been two albums: Boogie Angst (2005) and Plastic People (2008). ‘The new album is a bit more grown-up than the first album,’ explains Plug. ‘We’ve kept the trademark K&S sound of funk and Fender Rhodes on some of the tracks,’ adds de Jong, ‘but tracks like “Plastic People” have a tougher edge. It’s a natural result of playing to bigger festival crowds and seeing bands like [former touring partners] Faithless tear crowds apart with big dark riffs.’ And it’s well worth checking out their biggest hit ‘Squeeze Me’ featuring vocalist Ben Westbeech.
I’m sold, where can I catch them? They play a DJ set at the rather excellent jazz, funk and world musical melting pot that is Departure Lounge at one of Edinburgh’s most salubrious venues, The Caves. And that’s not all, as there will also be a live set from funky hip hoppers The Freaky Family featuring the Freaky Horns alongside residents Astroboy, Mr Zimbabwe and Jimenez. (Henry Northmore) ■ Departure Lounge at The Caves, Edinburgh, Fri 2 Oct.
36 THE LIST 24 Sep–8 Oct 2009
FESTIVAL THE WEE CHILL Queen’s Park Glasshouse, Glasgow, Sat 26 Sep
By accident more than design, Glasgow’s seven- year-old Wee Chill festival now has a spiritual home and no desire to leave it. The two-year renovation of its original venue, the Glasshouse on Queen’s Park, has brought about this conclusion, with an abortive attempt to transfer the event to Glasgow Science Centre in 2007 leading to a year off in 2008. Since May this year the twice-yearly party has been back at its first home, and it’ll be there for the foreseeable future.
‘The Glasshouse is different to any other club venue,’ says Brian Traynor, who founded the festival and has run it alongside the team behind the Sub Club since May’s event. ‘During the day it has a
festival atmosphere, then at night the lighting in our four rooms gives them each the atmosphere of a totally different club.’ This year these include a Subculture room, which will be headlined by 2000 And One and Ralph Lawson, and a Wee Chill Disco with Prins Thomas at the top of the bill.
Traynor also points out that the focus will be shared more evenly between DJs and live acts than ever before, with the Hijacked Records room headlined by Sons & Daughters and featuring a bunch of local talent, while the Starla Records room (hosted by Mark Robb and live outfit The Privates) concentrates on funk and soul. With an array of high-profile local talent involved, that’s a healthy line-up for a 1000 capacity event; but Traynor says, ‘We’re happy where we are, and if we looked for a bigger venue it just wouldn’t be the same any more.’ (David Pollock)
HOUSE MARSHALL JEFFERSON Byblos, Glasgow, Sat 26 Sep
Dance music sounded very different before Marshall Jefferson got his hands on it. In 1986, Jefferson played piano over a 4/4 beat for the first time and was told by record companies that the sound just didn’t work. The next year he produced ‘Acid Trax’ with DJ Pierre’s Phuture and inaugurated a style that was to become ubiquitous at raves and clubs across Europe over the next 15 years or so. This done, he went on to launch the careers of Ten City, Kim Mazelle and Ce Ce Rogers, and produced the hugely influential ‘Promised Land’ by Joe Smooth. This is just one of the countless records that became de rigueur after being touched by his hand. Few individuals have had such a profound effect on a musical form as Jefferson – he’s not known as the ‘Godfather of House’ for nothing.
Club manager Andy Mackenzie is proud that the space underneath Merchant Square has grown into a suitable venue for such a guest. ‘Everything in Byblos is custom built. It’s got a massive club lighting rig and an amazing sound system, built to fit in with the space itself. All of the guests we’ve had so far have commented on how well set-up we are. It’s taken five months of blood, sweat and tears, pushing the PR side of things and getting the word out there, but it’s paying off.’ At a club known for building positivity, it’s hard to think of a more fitting guest. (John Regan)