And what better way to start a new night than by playing, ‘Hej Yam Yam’? (Note: this track is going to be on the forthcoming Yam Yam album on Big Chill Recordings and look out for previous releases on New York’s Codek label).

The last time I was at the Big Chill House, the builders were just putting the last finishing touches to the place. Now it’s packed to the rafters with pre-Xmas revelry and is the place to hear tunes for the discerning dancefloor.

Regular readers know all about Bigga (and you can vote for BiggaBush In Dub in the Big Chill Album Of The Year Poll HERE) so lets find out more about DJ Yam (aka Guy Morley).

Originally starting out as Yam Yam (with Rick Turner) in Manchester 10 years ago on the world-fusion specialist label, Nation Records with their mate, the then little known pride of Marples’ Kwiksave, Mr. Scruff.

Guy was introduced to African music (specifically the Bhundu Boys) via the magic of the John Peel show 20 years ago. He’s been collecting African records ever since.

It was in Manchester that he started the ‘1 Tree Island’ club night (great name) and he met BiggaBush DJing in Naxos (that sounds chill!). He’s now been living in Brighton for 7 years and can be found at Afro Base on Juice FM and Totally Radio. Of course, if you’re into Afro-anything in Brighton, that means you’re going to be collaborating with Miles Cleret (Soundway Records), Natural Self, Quantic and all those guys

He told me that of all African music, “I love rumba, so it’s the Congo and Tanzania for me”. The hot tunes in his box were by Fire Tongate and Chief Cook (big tune), Tony ‘Ohangla King’ Nyadundo (Kenya), Olith Ojuged Ratego.

And it’s DJ Yam who has been busy on the African Soul Rebels Tours (2005 — Rachid Taha, Tinariwen, Daara J, 2006 — Soud Massi, Amadou & Mariam, Emmanuel Jal) as the 2007 line-up has just been announced. Another mighty trio of acts are already firm Fly favourites. Femi Kuti, Ba Cissoko and Akli D are all set for a 12-date UK tour in February.

Not only have we got that to look forward to, Bigga dropped some “nearly finished” tracks from his forthcoming CD and it’s sounding brilliant.

Well I for one had a great time at the Big Chill House and I’d say for future Equator Sound System gig, it’s a good idea to get there early to get in as much funkin’ in as possible.

P.S. Thanks also to Netta for Big Chill/Bestival fashion tips.

Links:
www.biggabush.co.uk
www.myspace.co.uk/biggamusic
The Big Chill House www.bigchill.net
14th December 2006: 8.00pm — 1.00am
Join DJs Yam & Biggabush for rocksteady Afro funk Latin soul dubtronic batucada ska boogalu!
www.soundwayrecords.com
www.juicebrighton.com — Juice 107.2 fm Brighton’s local radio station — Afrobase show / Hot Tropical Radio every Sunday 4-6pm (DJ’S Miles Cleret (Soundway Records)
www.totallyradio.com
Nation Records www.nationrecords.co.uk
John Peel’s Festive 15 (Uncut Magazine) Bhundu Boys — Foolish Harp / Waerera
Bestival 2006 “I saw quite a few lions. and a Rubix Cube living next door”
Marple, Greater Manchester “Tony Wilson, journalist and record label owner moved to Marple at the age
of 5 with his parents”