Bass Pilgrimage Part I: FWD>>
There are plenty of memories that may have escaped me over the years, but I clearly remember the first time I ever heard 'Earth A Run Red' by Digital Mystikz. Initially trying to broaden my dancehall horizons, I came into the possession of the Dynamite! Dancehall compilation which released on the Soul Jazz label in early 2006. While Tippa Irie's 'All the Time the Lyric the Rhyme' and Anthony Red Rose's 'Tempo' were instant dancehall classics, there was one track that I couldn't help but play on repeat. The tune in question was 'Earth A Run Red' and it immediately set itself apart from every other on the album. It was built primarily around it's extraterrestrial, melodic bassline and accompanied by only a harrowing Richie Spice vocal sample, leaving it out of place on the vocal heavy compilation that also featured Lady Saw and Wayne Wonder. Still unsure of what to classify it as, I knew that I needed more of that distinct Digital Mystikz sound in my life.
After tracking down the famed Mystikz mix for the late John Peel's tribute show on Radio1 in 2004, the initial curiosity soon snowballed into a full on bass-fueled obsession. Resources such as Barefiles were essential to the cause with it's huge backlog of pirate radio shows, DJ mixes, and live sets that aided in many a discovery and education in the genre during it's earlier formative days. Mary Anne Hobbs' Experimental show on Radio1, along with London pirate Rinse.fm and internet radio station Sub.fm all played crucial roles in exposing the world to the sounds of dubstep.
Watching shaky Youtube clips of the DMZ parties over the years and living vicariously through the photos of Ashes57, it was time to finally experience the vibe firsthand and celebrate the event's 6th Birthday this March. Other bass-centric destinations on the pilgrimage were set to include the legendary FWD» clubnight, 5 Days Off in Amsterdam, Bristol's Dubloaded monthly, as well as a final stop at this year's BLOC festival in Minehead, UK.
Fresh off the plane, the first stop on the journey was to Lava Gallery, the now permanent gallery space of the Lava Collective located at Kingly Court off of Carnaby Street in Soho. This year has already seen shows from artists Otto Schade and Haervaerk, as well as a stunning collection of photography documenting the early days of dubstep in South London from Drumzofthesouth creator Georgina Cook.
The exhibition currently being shown was 'One For The Heads' and featured the illustrational works of Deep Medi producer Tunnidge. Not only a badman on the buttons, Tunnidge is also responsible for all of the label's renowned producer portraits and artwork. A select run of prints were produced by One69a, a few of which are still available for purchase through the LAVA online shop. Prints of Quest, Tunnidge, and Sgt. Pokes are still for sale and are limited to editions of 20, so don't slack!
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After a quick browse through the Soul Jazz record shop Sounds of the Universe, the next order of business was to chow down on some Nepalese food and preserve energy for the night ahead at underground bass mecca Plastic People.
In 2010, the club located on Curtain Road in Hoxton received a closure notice due to claims of public nuisance and pervasive crime by Metropolitan police. There was a huge outpouring of support from producers, DJs, and club-goers alike to do what they could to prevent the famed venue from closing it's doors permanently. The varying backgrounds and musical tastes of the 15,000+ supporters of the Keep Plastic People Alive campaign, spoke to the profound importance of the venue to the musical culture of London. Remaining closed for two months and undergoing refurbishments during that time, the club eventually reached an agreement with police and Hackney town council, re-opening two months after it's initial closure. Averting disaster, the situation still serves as a reminder not to take precious places such as Plastic People for granted.
The club has undergone some changes of it's own over the past decade, but it's philosophy of pristine sound and "active darkness" still remains the same. Aside from the red light illuminating the DJ booth from above, the dancefloor is a completely dark space that allows the music to take center stage. The revered sound system at Plastic People was something that despite it's reputation, I couldn't fully appreciate until experiencing it for myself. In each corner of the small, rectangular room hangs a mounted Funktion-One Skeletal Res-4 mid high box with it's instantly recognizable design that's now become synonymous with sound clarity. Each of the Res-4's are matched with a twin 18” F218 bass enclosure that when combined with the fine-tuned acoustic treatment of the room, creates the overall effect of a full-body massage of low frequencies. The club itself and it's lack of frills, velvet ropes, and VIP rooms is the perfect home for a party that's focus has always been on the music itself.
"What makes the club unique is its status as a cultural crossroads for the diverse melting pot that is London. No matter what ends you're from, if you like dark, heavyweight riddims, you reach FWD»." - Martin Clark (Blackdown), 2009.
FWD» is widely recognized as one of the seminal events linked with the inception, growth, and evolution of dubstep before the term itself even existed. The clubnight initially earned the reputation of a 'producer's party', where producers and DJs gathered together each week to exchange dubs and await a chance to hear how their mixdowns and basslines sounded when played over the club's brutally honest sound system. Almost 10 years have passed since the initial FWD» in 2001 and the night continues to remain a benchmark event within the complexion of London underground music. Gone are the days of half empty rooms made up of meticulous train spotting DJs, as the party now pushes the club to it's 200-person capacity on a weekly basis.
Thursday night's lineup was comprised of Rinse.fm's Monki, DJ Zinc, Caspa, and Icicle. Monki got the night started off and warmed up the crowd playing a set that incorporated some choice sounds of Funky as well as some bass-driven French house as well. With her show on Rinse getting it's feet firmly on the ground and sets upcoming at FWD+Rinse in April as well as this year's Bestival, she is definitely one to keep an eye on in 2011. London crew, you can also catch her at Gramaphone on March 31st for the Prang night alongside Tomb Crew, The Specialist, and Yoni.
Zinc laid down a bumping set of his signature crack house, a highlight of which was his remix of P-Money- Left The Room vs. SX- Woo Riddim.
"now TAKE it!"
"brrrrockout"
Crazy D then led the charge on the mic during Caspa's set and delivered a wide array of his classic lines. For added effect, trigger some samples from the Crazy D soundboard before reading on. (via Hyperblazing)
Icicle capped off the night with a set backed by SP:MC. His highly anticipated 'Under The Ice' LP is set to release next month on Shogun Audio. The first half of the set focused on some minimal halfstep and autonomic stylings, while the last 30 minutes was full of low slung Drum & Bass rollers. Icicle & SP:MC also went through a live rendition of the album's single 'Dreadnaught' and kept the tunes running until the lights were switched on promptly at 2am.
Pro Tip: Head to Brick Lane after FWD» for a late-night sandwich at Beigel Bake. Go with the Salt Beef with hot English mustard or instead opt for the classic Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon.
