The Vinyl Word took its own advice last weekend and dropped in at its weekly picks -- Luxy, J Pop Cafe and Eden -- for a look at what was hot and what was not, and found a bit of everything.
First off, Luxy and Crooklyn Clan.
Though not a rule, it's generally accepted that if a big-name DJ is going to be playing his hits then the preceding DJs play something else. Well, we must have heard Crooklyn Clan's classics a couple of times before the duo turned up with their own remixes and that was a spoiler. On the flip side promoter Liquid Lifestyle put on a ripped show that was a perfect fit for Luxy and the crowd didn't seem to mind the repetition. After all, they're the same tunes that get the floor rocking every weekend.
At Eden, meanwhile, Edmund and Jimmy were serving up some twisted disco, house and breaks that got a mixed crowd going. Whereas it is not uncommon and perhaps even usual for mainstream clubs in the UK and US to have a straight/gay mix, here the twain rarely meet and are unsure of each other when they do. (Midweek every Wednesday catch Edmund at Fifi on Renai Road, for some sophisticated sounds and surroundings). From groundbreaking to underground, "Lost City of the Jungle" at J Pop Cafe turned out to be a friendly affair with some chill drum 'n' bass beats from Da, Funkstar, Remedy and Steppa.
But if crack is your thang, then 5th Element tonight at Eden is your destination. According to the promoter, "DJ Pierre is a certified black crack addict, known for smoking dance floors from Taichung to Cape Town." The supporting cast includes Marcus Aurelius and Bau Bau.
The mercurial Chozie will play an after party the same night, following a set at Room 18. Our favorite pop star DJ has recovered from a horrible car accident in China three months ago.
"When you see me face-to-face you will see the battle scars," Chozie told The Vinyl Word. "Before you had that cute image of me. Now I'm a man. The whole experience has changed me. I've learned to just calm down a bit, my whole perspective has changed and I've slowed down a bit.
"Though the crash wasn't my fault, maybe there was a reason for it. I was told most people would have died from the accident ... but maybe luck is on my side now." Certainly, the offers have been pouring in for the artist formerly based in Taiwan. He has signed a new deal with a top publishing company, and will put on a musical performance for China's latest paramount leader Hu Jintao (
Chozie will also play Luxy tomorrow, along with Reason and Farhaan. Same night, same place, Noodle has a CD release party, with a mix of soul, funk and hip hop.
At Eden, the dynamic "Deep Inside" duo of SL and Saucey will be celebrating the first anniversary of their monthly residency by holding another CD release party -- having shown off their wares at Room 18 and Luxy on Wednesday. There are free CDs or drinks for the price of entry (NT$500) and the dance floor will be extended specially for the night.
Finally, tonight, Boy George will take us back in time with MoS' first anniversary party. It could be a classic.
The Vinyl Word Correction: "Reggaeton is a dancehall/hip hop style popular in Puerto Rico and New York." Not reggae tone, as reported last week.
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