Homage to The Room

For a phenomenal seventeen years this intimate basement in the heart of Shibuya has welcomed music lovers for a truly intimate clubbing experience. It's a testimony to the energy and enthusiasm of Shuya Okino that it remains such a vital part of Tokyo nightlife constantly belying it's small size with events that are large in their musical wealth!

It's been my pleasure and privilege to have enjoyed many great nights at The Room. I've always likened the experience of playing there to be something like this; until about 4-5 am it's just a great small club with an intense and appreciative atmosphere, from around that time onwards it's like playing in your own living room with a bunch of your new best friends. Sessions there can roll on well into the morning and many a time I've stumbled into the daylight with a feeling of ultimate satisfaction, smiles all round, having enjoyed a feast of music with some lovely people!

This weekend was  no exception, and Friday night's release party for the So Especial compilation showcased The Room at it's packed and hyped best. An excellent live showcase from Root Soul brought the atmosphere up to fever pitch, and great sets from both Okino brothers and the currently massive DJ Kawasaki delivered on every level. It's incredible that a space as miniscule as The Room can put on live events on a busy night, but the experience  of performers literally cheek to cheek with the crowd brings something very special to the session. Root Soul were only three parts live, with Ken rocking the bass lines and live percussion and vocals set against backing tracks, but still live enough to inject some good energy into proceedings. (the Root Soul album should be finished soon, with contributions from Vanessa Freeman and Mark de Clive Lowe, and hot on it's heels comes the excellent Latin project Mano Ariba, Ken is surely another star to emerge from The Room and KJM)

On Saturday night I was behind the decks once again in my favourite club, and, having had some time out from playing, I couldn't think of anywhere better to get back to  business. It may not have ranked alongside some of the past sessions I've had there but was once again a thoroughly enjoyable experience that left me feeling truly humbled by the level of appreciation.

So respect not only to Shuya but to Sato and all the staff at The Room who continue to give this small space a massive reputation.

Why Inspiration Information still matters...

Back in '97 when Inspiration Information kicked off it's ten year stint at NHAC nobody would have expected it to still be a vital part of London club culture 12 years later. Yet Inspiration has survived  the transition from those original intimate basement sessions, to flourish in it's new bi-monthly guise, spread out over two rooms at East Village. The new location has allowed us to bring in  some great guests, and with two rooms running we've been able to expand our musical horizons. However what has remained crucial to the session is our love and respect for the classic traditions of dance music, and each guest who's graced the decks downstairs has been carefully selected to offer their unique take on the music we all love and cherish. From lesser known names (in London)  like Christian Pronovost and The Grasso Brothers, to dance music stalwarts such as Joey Negro, each one fully embracing the Inspiration philosophy and dropping sets of "proper classics".

For me it's been an honour and a pleasure to work alongside Phil Asher running this session, his (restless) energy for the music and deep roots and grounding in it's history have enriched my experience as a dj. Thanks dude! For ten years the two of us would rock up on a Friday night with a bag full of (mainly) twelves and a few hot cdrs, and this ritual appreciation of the boogie vibe has had a lasting effect on my dj style. Whilst other folk may worry their heads with the latest craze, the Inspiration vibe has become ingrained on my soul, and has given me much strength and guidance for the last twelve years. 

This feeling stays strong as we continue our parties at the new location and even though I'm now based far away I will try to be in London ( at least in spirit) whenever Inspiration Information is happening. Luckily for the next session I'll be there in every sense (jet-lag allowing), and I'm already excited! I was in The Room (Shibuya) last Friday night and DJ Kawasaki began his set with Dee Dee Bridgwater's "Bad For Me" and immediately it made me think about Inspiration, 'ah yes, one of Phil's favourites'. The tradition of dance classics is long and deep  and I just hope we've made a contribution to keep the fire burning, and can continue to do so. When you're lost in the dance music maze and you need a compass.....