Ok - so here is a VERY quickly done write up on Mn2S:

Upon stepping out of our cab at the Opium Garden energy was already radiating at the door. It was around 11:30 p.m. and there was allready a line, albeit a manageable one. Following my usual natural tendency to sweat the small stuff - I was nervous about the RSVP list. The good folks from Mn2S were generous enough to allow us some extra guests earlier in the day, "but you know how these last minute list things work," I kept telling myself. I knew the room would be packed; this party more than allmost any other is an automatic 'definate' on the calendar of most industry folks and truly experienced clubbers in Miami.

As usual with this particular promotion group, the door staff was informed and polite; but no nonsense. They had their instructions, and they were sticking to them. I'm sure there were more than a few disappointed people that night who hadn't R.S.V.P.'D and still thought they were getting in, but the overall result of the door policy was lovely. It's called ORDER!!!! The wait time was very short as a result, and everything was orginized beautifully. My fears soon subsided when I saw a dear Italian friend of mind from Conference last year was holding the list. She was as beautiful as ever, and after a big "reunion" hug and a promise to meet on the dance floor later - my party was whisked inside and I looked like a big hero.

I have heard many different stories about what has become of the Opium Garden, a venue that has been an integral part of Winter Music for years. I was a little nervous, b/c this has always been one of my favorite clubs - and I didn't want to witness it ageing ungracefully. Au contrere, mon frere!!!! As is often the case with the well established British Club nights that present in Miami, every detail was thought out and executed brilliantly. Opium actually looked and sounded much better than last year. The Mn2S logo was everywhere as part of the decor in a tasteful way that was in harmony with the Buddahs, huge paper lanterns, and twinkling lights that give the outdoor portion of Opium Garden a tangible vibe you can immediately feel on a good night. Opium is cool because your surroundings create this kind of serenity that allows you to exhale, relax, and let your guard down unlike you would at almost any other club. Then the DJ's sonic intensity can really get all up in you without impediment. You are OPEN my friend.

The downstairs area was still simmering at this point so we headed upstairs to the long narrow inside bar. It was allready going RIGHT OFF, and remained that way throughout the night. This room was constantly jumping, and probably had the most persistant energy of any area I experienced during the evening. Many names that you would equate with deep or soulful house were spinning, but they all must have had a wild hair that night because to my ears many of the beats were allmost jackin or Chicago in sound - LOTS of happy sweat here.

After some time sitting in a booth with our group and my very lovely companion for the evening, my eye started to wander to the window. There was now a massive crowd in the outside area that seemed to be truly going for it. After a while I couldn't take it anymore and I had to leave our very pleasant social cocoon to investigate. That's when my night went VERY VERY rockstar!!!

Seamus Haji - Seamus Haji - Seamus Haji. W-O-W! My head almost exploded. There were severla moments during his set that I couldn't even dance, b/c I was in too much shock. A lot of DJ's use effects to surprise people, or change up a track a bit to keep people on their toes. Many selectors just twiddle with them aimlessly simply b/c they "sound cool." Seamus used effects more precisely and effectively than any DJ I've ever heard. With each record he was either blowing it up to a massive sound proportion, or seemingly re-producing it on the fly. Great track selection, and lots of big chunky nasty funky fun records. The crowd was loving it, and one of my English friends who saw me slack jawed came to me with a wicked smile at one point and said, "Welcome to my world baby! See, where I live - you can get this every week!" I knew I was an Anglophile for a reason!!!!

After that, I can honestly (and happily) say the rest was a blur. I know there was some MONSTER dancing going on. I know there were priceless photos, there was some kissing as well. Apparently in my stupor of musically scrambled brains and copius amounts of Bombay Sapphire, I exclaimed to two very respected industry heads - "ERROL ALKAN. . . . SET of the CONFERENCE!!!" Of course I don't remember this at all. Of course I meant to say Seamus Haji. Of course I was VERY red faced when I found out the next day.

Cheers Mn2S, in my book you threw the best nighttime party of Conference 2007.

sounds like fun! i need to look through the pictures again, i'm sure there've been more since i checked last!

I wish you guys could have made it. The opportunity to finally meet both of you was going to be a highlight for me. Any plans to be in the States this year?

yeah i'm off to California on Friday for a week, then Lee and I are off to Mexico (not really US, I know) in 2 weeks. Other than that, no. what about you in the UK?

Not this year - I'm in New York in July, and hopefully moving before the end of the year.

moving to NY?

No no - just going up for a visit in July.

hey Bill I remember being greeted by you when we got there and you looked like you were in heaven.

I must say the vibe was great,people were amazing.I had a ball that night:-)

Ahhhhhhh This has made my day... MN2S was awesome and its where my new dance moves were born :-)

I was pretty happy, that's for sure.

Sam, you got possesed by some tribal dance god for a little while there I think. You were MENTAL - it was GREAT!

I'm in New York in July

let me know the dates Bill so we can hook up.

Thanks for your post greatwhitefunk!

Glad you had a good time!

D

No problem Dan - can't wait until we get some Mn2S in the States again!

I loved the venue, probably one of the most impressive looking i've been in. Didn't think soundsystem was that great up stairs though. Unless you were right in front of the DJ, all the speakers were positioned on the left which was like listening to your ipod with one earphone in.

The music was completely different to what I was expecting upstairs given the line up. I'm into the deep, soulful, bumpy house & can't remember too much of that being played...Although I did leave before Jamie Lewis came on because I was shattered from OM the previous night.

While i'm on my soapbox, I have to say the club soundsytems in Miami were'nt up to scratch if you ask me which I find strange considering the mentality of the americans doing everything bigger & better.

Although I didn't go to every club, the only system I heard which was up to scratch was Y-Ultra. I guess living in London, being a regular at Ministry, The End & Fabric i'm used to quality sound systems. I'm a sound tech too so I always annalyse sound quality!

Personally, if I was to put on a club night, I think a great soundsytem is paramount. If you can put it in a nice venue with palm trees etc. all the better. If you've ever been to ministry, you'll know its in the arse end of london (aoplogies to those living in Elephant & Castle), it's dark & not particularly impressive upon entrance. But when you step foot on in the main room the sound hits you like a freight train!

Also my other favourite club which is sadly no longer around, was the Paradise. Man this place was a doorway opposite a carpark which simply had dancing written above it. You stepped down into what I can only call a fairground ride of bass. In fact im sure that club was just one big bass box. It was a black hole underground with rusty doors & dirty floors. It was dark & probably dangerous but the soundsystem never failed to re-arrange your internal organs. You couldn't help but dance until you were taken by the scruff of the neck & thrown out the door. Bring it back!

The music was completely different to what I was expecting upstairs given the line up. I'm into the deep, soulful, bumpy house & can't remember too much of that being played

I agree - but I found it kind of cool to hear some of those particular DJ's letting loose a bit. . .

While i'm on my soapbox, I have to say the club soundsytems in Miami were'nt up to scratch

One thing you have to keep in mind is that a lot of the venues that hosted full-on parties during conference, are not necessarily set up to do so on a regular basis. . . so that may be part of the problem - - - - but in general I agree with you, some places that should really have amazing systems based on the amount of people they pack in and the money they make (Hello Clevelander for Bobby and Steve) had absolute shite. . .

Did you go to "Set" on Lincoln Ave? Absolute best system I've ever heard.

No I didn't go to Set, but i've heard good reports all round. That ones on the top of the "to do" list for next year!