Tonight was the third night of Wonky Beatz following on from the sell-out opener by the world famous Scratch Perverts. Amongst their credits are two consecutive World DMC Team titles, a World DMC Champion and World Vestax Champion titles.

Claire says they work as a team to sort out the gig. She doubles up as Bar Manager and Alan is the resident DJ. It takes a lot of effort to get the quality DJs they have got so far and Alan's success at the Versus Festival has helped.

The first night also included a Graf art session outside (see photo).

Tonight the bill toppers are the Stanton Warriors (Dominic Butler & Mark Yardley). Both started out in the West Country and were part of the 'Bristol Sound' but they forged a partnership atthe start of the UK Garage scene. The big break came in 2001 with the release on XL of 'The Stanton Session' which included Basement Jaxx's 'Jump 'N' Shout' (their own remix version) and tracks by The Streets, Plump DJs and 4 of their own recordings.

Their latest release is a remix of 'Eeeeaaooww' by the Freeform Five with vocals by Jamaican Dancehall legend Bounty Killer (released 11th October on Ultimate Dilemma). It's an obvious track for the Stantons to get a remix call, as the original instrumental version was a much sort-after dancefloor 12" in late 2003. This release just confirms what they have always been about: 'everybody' and 'dancing' and tonight is proof of that with more converts at the party...

While Glen Non-Stop warmed up the main room for the headliners with some thumpin' Techno, DJ Able was the Special Guest in the Downstairs Bar.

DJ Able (aka Gavin) has been a DJ for eight years and has known Claire for ages. He was invited to play as he's been introducing more hip hop into his sets. He lives in Trowbridge and is currently on a Government run scheme called 'Access to Music'. He applied for a course and was accepted at Bristol. Courses are not just limited to DJing skills as there is training for musicians from beginner level to seasoned gigging bands, budding music entrepreneur to a mature musician interested in training to teach. There are ATM Centres & colleges throughout England. For further information, email info@access-to-music.co.uk or see the main website link below.

Gavin would like to follow in the Scratch Perverts steps and says they were brilliant. He says "The Stanton Warriors must be shit hot with a name like that". And when you think about it, it is a brave name for 2 DJs linking themselves with a global electronic company (see link to Stanton Magnetic Inc. below).

His current top 3 tunes are 'Aganju' by Bebel Gilberto/Commix remix (Daughter of João Gilberto and Drum & Bass actually work well), Tali's 'Airport Lounge' (remixes) and UK MC, Rodney P's Album. This is indicative of his music policy, "Don't restrict yourself to any one genre, as long as it's good." Hip hop is a celebration of all kinds of music and he got the crowd going with some old Tribe Called Quest and Snoop Doggy Dogg; the one with the Atomic Dog sample from George Clinton's seminal 1982 album, Computer Games. Brilliant! The Headnodders in the house approved. It worked for me too.

It's a different type of night to the usual weekend soul, funk, jazz nights. It's a younger crowd and students get in for a £1 off the door price. It's a cool venue with a friendly vibe. If you want to know what's coming up next week, check out the web site and join the mailing list (see links below).

Links:
http://www.soul-cellar.com
http://www.versusfestival.com/
http://www.scratchperverts.com/
http://www.stantonwarriors.com/stanton.html
http://www.accesstomusic.co.uk/
http://www.stantondj.com/