“I was in the booth at the Ministry Of Sound watching ‘Little Louie’ Vega….the MoS Weekly Saturday nigh, it was Louie’s third appearance of the year and each time was better than the last…”
This quote is adapted from Oli White’s sleeve notes circa 2000 telling us, in a particularly hectic moment, how he and Simon Patterson came up with the idea of Soul Heaven. That was back in the day, now fast forward 10 years to Ministry of Sound last night, Louie Vega has lost the ‘Little’ but none of his love of music and had a certain Anan?©sworld Album Launch Party to attend to.
Before that, a couple of his heavyweight DJ mates were there to lend support. First up is Gilles Peterson fresh (or even jet lagged on his return) from his tour of Australia and New Zealand. And obviously he was impressed with Antibalas who he supported in Sydney last week plus Panam?°! 3, Tumb?©l?©! and that Latin version of ‘I Believe In Miracles’ he played the other week. And as an aside, I was just going to tell him what great music he played on his shows in February and the start of March (especially the World Cup Soundclash) but at that moment he finished his fag “to go and see Louie” as I was juggling a beverage behind him; luckily he didn’t see me embarrass myself.
Anyway, that was about 1am and before that, we had the pleasure of Norman Jay, MBE on the decks; no doubt GP had been waxing lyrically about Arsenal’s 5-0 win the night before to Spurs fan Norman. But if he had, it didn’t put Norman off as this was the club version of his Big Chill Sunday set (and the sun did come out last year for him).
Now what didn’t start so well was the start of Louie’s set as Anan?©’s ‘in ear’ equipment technically let her down. Not that it really put off either as Vega hit the decks and Anan?© got her equipment sorted. So we didn’t have to wait long for her return to the stage all ready to go. Shame then that it was only a 3-track PA for the new album (full review coming HERE soon) but ‘Terra Longe’, ‘Rock The Cradle’ and ‘Plastic People’ are only the tip of her great new album; and watch out for a cover version that will blow your proverbial socks off. But last night, the highlight was ‘Plastic People’ that she performed in her best Betty Davis pose, aided by some platform high heels. Whilst on a fashion tip, long legged girls with high heels seem to be back in fashion but I liked the MC Hammer meets Adidas sports look.
Back to the music, as someone might say, “Louie Vega & Anan?© DEMOLISH the club. Split into shards … I assume clean up efforts are underway now”. Well the sound was at an “excessive sound level” and as he’s the “Miles Davis of dance music” his musical playlist went all over place. Like the impossible to categorize Davis, he kept fans entertained until 4am; lots of Masters At Work and even ending up with ‘Plastic People’ again and a “sneak preview” of a track from the forthcoming Elements Of Life album (that apparently features Erykah Badu, Ursula Rucker and “loads of other ladies”).
By this stage, the crowd had dwindled to the very hard core and even though one guy was desperate for “one more”, Louie thanked all the staff, the best sound system anywhere in the world (“and I’ve played everywhere”), Nervous Records’ Michael Weiss (who was in the box looking on like a proud parent) and Louie telling us that he’s playing Southport.
Norman departed at half two and with no after party to go to, it was left to the staff to give the place a wipe down and sort out what was now a very sticky dancefloor. Too many highlights to mention but get out that Soul Heaven London – Ibiza compilation for the Martin Solveig Vs. Salif Keita track at least, forgot how good that one is – sounded brilliant, everything sounded brilliant! Little Louie is a big as they come.
Links:
Anan?©sworld Album Launch Party: Thursday 11th March, 2010
Venue: Ministry Of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, London, SE1 6DP
Information: 0870 060 0010 Doors: 10pm Р4am Price: £10 in Advance/Door Ticket Outlets: ticketweb.co.uk Transport: Elephant & Castle (Bakerloo, Northern and National Rail)
Ministry of Sound “Save Our Club” Petition www.ministryofsound.com/Petitions www.petition.fm
Gilles Peterson :: 03.03.10 :: Brownswood Basement World Cup Special
Gilles Peterson :: 10.2.10 :: Backstage At The Worldwide Awards – Gilles goes backstage at the Worldwide
Sunlight Square – I Believe In Miracles Test
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra & Gilles Peterson THIS THURSDAY! March 4th, Sydney
