Clubs HITLIST THE BEST DANCEFLOOR ACTION
list.co.uk/clubs
How’s Your Party? Diverse Italian producer and boss of Snatch1 Records Riva Starr makes a very special appearance, famed for his eclectic approach to house music throwing electro, disco and even folk into the brew of beats, backed by Glasgow’s own HaHaHa. Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 29 Jul.
Electric Frog Summer Festival The bad news is the Frog has been reduced to a one-day event. The good news is you still get to see Dubfire, Nitzer Ebb, Marc Houle, DJ Funk and more. SWG3, Glasgow, Sat 30 Jul.
VEGAS! Taking it to the next level as the big band and swing clubbing sensation join forces with the Edinburgh Jazz Fest with a plethora of live acts, cabaret and burlesque. HMV Picture House, Edinburgh, Sat 30 Jul. Piece Together Breakthrough house trio Japanese Popstars come over from their native Derry to play a set including tracks from their new album Controlling Your Allegiance. Chambre 69, Glasgow, Fri 29 Jul.
Sub:Tremorz The club makes one hell of an impression with its debut night in Edinburgh with drum & bass from Bryan Gee, Kenny Ken, Bladerunner, Harry Shotta and David Boomah to raise funds for Children First. Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sat 23 Jul. The Sensu Boat Party The new techno sound of Detroit by way of Berlin takes to the waves in Glasgow, as three-quarters of Visionquest (Lee Curtiss, Shaun Reeves and Ryan Crosson) man the deck. Science Centre & Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 22 Jul.
Slabs of the Tabernacle The Slabs boys’ big summer party, with Parallax Corporation’s Intergalactic Gary playing an acid set and Liverpool’s John Heckle making his debut live appearance. The Big Joint, Glasgow, Sat 30 Jul.
Dr No’s And we thought they’d left us for good. Missing in action for several years but Dr No’s is back with more ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall skanking. Henry’s Cellar Bar, Edinburgh, Fri 29 Jul.
Caledonia Soul Another club returns. They promise it’s not a ‘reunion’ but a tenth anniversary celebration of the much missed Northern soul night as the original residents reconvene. O2 ABC, Glasgow, Sat 30 Jul.
Mumbo Jumbo The good time funk party continues with a special treat as the Bubble DJs take control of the top floor for some old school beats from DJ Brainstorm (Pure). The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Sat 23 Jul.
Crate DIGGING
BENEDICT BULL, one half of Skull Juice, promoter of London’s High Horse and resident at Bleed, takes us inside his record box.
My favourite track at the moment is Oneohtrix Point Never ‘Nobody Here’ (Memory Vague, Root Strata). It’s just an amazingly beautiful piece of music, I’ll never get tired of it. I’ve played with him a couple of times and I still get that insecure fanboy feeling when I do, he’s such a nice guy.
Next I’ll go for George Morel ‘Morel’s Groove’ (Strictly Rhythm), it’s one of the house records that changed my feelings about music. It’s incredibly raw, incredibly simple, brilliantly put together. It’s similar to Cajmere ‘Percolator’ (Cajual Records) in that respect. In fact, can I add that one too? Two tunes I would never not have in my record box. Just drums, bassline and a weird noise, that’s all you need to make an amazing dance record. It’s so simple but so effective. Actually, can I add Steve Poindexter ‘Computer Madness’ (Square Roots) as well? For the same reasons as the above.
Another great old tune is Cherie Lee ‘Love Me or Leave Me (Club Dub)’ (Music Station), it’s a garage house track. It just gives you that really summery, upbeat feeling. I spend far too much time going through old club tracks on Discogs and YouTube these days, I think that’s how I found it. It’s infectious and simple, and it works for me every time.
Finally I’ll choose something that’s less dancey, and that’s Ducktails ‘Parasailing’ (Underwater Peoples). It’s my favourite thing he’s ever done, it’s basically the soundscapes that are left when you take out his singer-songwriter stuff. Very hazy and bubbly, it’s like a forgotten, 15-year-old cassette that’s been found in the footwell of a car. (David Pollock) ■ Benedict Bull guests Playdate at Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Sat 30 Jul.
21 Jul–4 Aug 2011 THE LIST 41