The big news last weekend was what didn't happen rather than what did. Street-tough turntablist Kid Capri got a tummy bug and had to cancel his much-anticipated gig at Luxy. His show the previous night in Hong Kong was likewise affected.
"I am very sorry that these shows had to be cancelled at the last minute," he said in a statement distributed by his manager. "Had I tried to go to the airport, they wouldn't have let me on the plane considering the condition I was in." Liquid Lifestyle, the promoters who had invited Capri to Taipei, say they hope to get him back here some time in August or September.
The pleasant surprise last weekend for those looking for action after learning of Capri's non-show was the party at Room 18. A normal residents' night managed to pack the two rooms on Friday and the fun went on until morning had broken.
PHOTO: JULES QUARTLY, TAIPEI TIMES
We missed SL on the decks because we got there too late and were therefore expecting the music to be an anti-climax, but a quick glance at the booth changed our minds as Victor was cool personified and span a more soulful set than he usually does down at AXD. SL, clearly in party mode, joined in for a couple of tunes during Victor's set. Alex then took over and kept the vibe bumping and grinding.
Room 18 has a rotating list of DJs that includes the best Taipei has to offer, including Mykal, Jimmy Black, Victor, Mitch, @llen, SL, Chozie and Tommy. Something to look forward to at the celebrity hangout on July 9 is Ali B from the UK club Fabric.
As for this weekend the folks at Ultra Capacity are providing a good reason to stand in the sand at Baishawan Beach (
The Vinyl Word first heard these guys at the now defunct Club 70s when they were calling themselves Banana Fingers. House and break-beat impresarios, DJ Perry and cohort Ti-wi lay down fat, juicy tracks that sizzle. They'll be joined by DJs Jerry, KJK, Alt, Monk K, Kini, Phoenix and Eddie.
"They'll start with hip-hop and break-beat early on, then we'll move to house and progressive later," Perry said.
The party starts at 8pm and goes until 5am. Check out http://home.kimo.com.tw/marineparadise05/ for more information, including directions on how to get there by car or by bus.
For those unable to make it to the beach Saturday, Luxy offers resident technophile, Vertigo, in the Lotus Room, spinning his unique style of punk and tribal-tinged techno. NT$500 before 11pm and NT$800 after. MoS' resident DJs will also be their main attraction that night. NT$350 before 11pm and NT$600 after.
Word to the wise: The hands-down coolest new weekday event is Red-I and the Riddim Outlawz's gig every Thursday at Luxy. Fans of reggae, ska or calypso will be impressed with the lineup Red-I, also known as Patrick Tan, has put behind him. And check out the ladies on the dance floor. There's a reggae boom going on. At The Wall tomorrow we've also got ruffneck MC's U-Dou and Platy -- live and direct from Okinawa -- plus Lady Djavan, Red-I and his Outlawz, plus Dj G-Starr. Makiya, the leader of the justly famed ska band The Majestics, will be the headline guest of the evening.
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