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.