When associated with dance music the word minimal can hold several meanings. For the uneducated it can be described a boring, prolonged, going nowhere etc etc. Personally I like to think of it as a challenge, something constantly evolving, that requires a trained ear, containing evolving melodics, carefully constructed bass lines and distant effects. It is not easy listening and is an acquired taste but as with anything in life if you put in the work you will eventually reap the rewards, the Loco punters on Saturday the 4th March 2006 certainly did.

When Peace Division were announced to be headlining at Loco, their choice of beats was described a being Minimal Drummy Stuff. I suppose if you treat everyone plate selected by itself it is percussive based and you won’t find any stand out breakdowns or syrupy bass lines. But the skill is to build and craft these gems together and create a journey that many people can indulge.

For me Peace Division delivered the best headline set I have witnessed to date. I am biased because they craft the genre of music that has been and always will be with me, but 400 other people shared the same view as me. Having caught the duo at Homelands four years ago I slightly expected a more Dubby funk inspired electronic set but this was not the case. Justin Drake started off proceedings with Sonar inspired Electro set, building, teasing and commanding his audience by slowly building the pace. Then Clive Henry took over with his own outlook which took me back to Sonar by night, increasing the bpms with a fresh and slightly tribal affair, blending perfectly from Justin’s Electro take... They then alternated at about twenty minute intervals for the duration of their set, bewitching their eager crowd. One local DJ who spends hours trawling for his tunes remarked “I don’t know where they get all the cuts from”. A mark of a top DJ is the element of surprise and both Mr. Drake & Mr. Henry achieved this. Speaking to Clive Henry after their set he was delighted with the crowd reaction and recognised the true quality of the Loco stalwarts. An additional element was added with Messer’s Henry & Drake controlling of the lighting. Periodically they would dim all lighting apart from the DJ booth which would be bathed in an orange glow; this was a true sight to be witnessed.

Local boy James Hurley then had the unenviable task of attempting to succeed the masterpiece just created. Somehow he achieved the impossible, upping the tempo; he delivered in true Progressive and Techy style, with his driving pumping beats he could have easily been a third member of Peace Division as he maintained the equilibrium. Showcasing local beats, the energy was palpable as the night drew to an end

Meanwhile in the front room Mr Sell by Date was showcasing some celestial Old Skool Funk, with a sprinkling of Psychedelic soul that made it almost impossible not to swing your hips to.

Speaking to Jamie Loco afterwards he commented on how for the first time he witnessed the crowd all moving simultaneously as one entity. Paul Loraine a well respected DJ in his own right was quoted “I'm still very emotional from Peace Division in all my clubbing days and nights over many years and almost thousands of DJ sets never have I heard such an inspiring set!” Mr Drake and Mr. Henry had their crowd hypnotised willing to go any direction they willed.

So if you want massive breakdowns, recognisable anthems, and vocal based house, LOCO is not the place for you. However if you want intelligent cutting edge electronica, that will take you on an unforgettable journey and a crowd to match please come to LOCO, you will not be disappointed.

Next months Soiree features Soma legend Funk D’Void


Room1>>

FUNK D’ VOID (Soma)

Also in room1 ………..

JODY WISTERNOFF (Way Out West / Loco)
STUART WILKINSON (Empathy)

Room2>>
Back by dope demand……….
DOCTOR MOODY (Blowpop)
LUKE SANGER (Loco)


Saturday 1st April 2006
Doors open 10pm - 4am
£7 entry £6 NUS
Timbuk2, small street, Bristol
(Clubbers are advised to gain entry early to avoid disappointment)
Visit Our Site

For a taster come to Empathy on Friday 24th March @ Timbuk 2 featuring Breaks Pioneers Hybrid.

Congrats Paul & Jamie U have surpassed ureselves yet again!!!!

Definitely 1 4 the archives!!!!!!

Thanks a million Neco, Your words spoken are that of a TRUE dedicated music lover. and just to let you know Loco have many more surprises coming soon which I'm sure will keep the spirit of Loco well and truely alive... watch this space ;)

Top notch as always Nick.

What a write up, a career with the NME awaits! I have rather good linguistic talents, however your words have sent me back on the journey that was Saturday the 4th of March 2006. Good work dude!

Thanx everyone!!!!!!! still got goosebumps thinkin of it.

Quality Nik, your a fucking legend!!

Feelings mutal Stuey, if I achieve quarter wot U achieved I B happy dude!!!!!!

Sounds wicked guys!!!

Really looking forward to getting down to the club on the 22nd April!!!

Looking good!!!!!

Rich

im fucking dislexic (is that how you spell it?) so i couldnt be arsed to read all of that, but the bits i did read were good. Was a hell of a night

Look 4ward 2 meeting U Rich ure nites look the dogs bollox ave to make the trip 2 the big smoke in the near phuture

Hi Jim I will try & get 2 ure white Rabbit nite @ Dojo this Thurs, noticed it last week but couldn't make it. All the best 4 the phuture.

quality write up, i remeber it all so well

JODY WISTERNOFF (Way Out West / Loco)

so is he your new resident lads??? this mayb old news .. been a bit shot away if i missed out on that 1!!!

Jay how's it going? Jody is and always has been a Loco resident obviously when he's available that is ;)

hey Paul im coooolio... available yer right lol.. b cool to catch him actually ;)
u good mate??

yeah I'm cool thanks mate, had a reasonably easy weekend so feeling full of life, getting ready for the weekend I'm headlining at Dusk Till Dawn in Bournemouth so happy days :) you FC/KAHUNA'ING this weekend ?

wkd mate.. nice booking! hopefully yes mate.. fancy sum aciiiiiiid :D

Thanks Nico - excellent skills you got there!!! shamoan!

hey Jamie! word up!