Review - Summer Shakedown Boat Party w/ Greg Wilson - Saturday 18th July
Its hella late (its been a busy week) but here’s a few thoughts about our Summer Shakedown Boat Party with Greg Wilson which occured this past Saturday on The Thames. It’s actually a cheeky re-edit spliced together from some notes I originally transcribed and some memories of the day recorded on the Norman Jay Website, but I hope it’ll give you a taster of what you missed (or alternatively, encountered if you were actually there)…
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Wow, what a weekend!
Got to thank everybody that bought tickets and turned up on the day to join us. That was possibly the best crowd I’ve ever had the pleasure of partying with – all good people, up for a drink, some laughs and a little boogie.
Steve KIW did a sterling job warming up for Mr Wilson on the main deck from the off with a heads down disco set as everyone basked outside in the sun. Greg then duly stepped up and smashed it (as expected). Loads of classics, edits, original bits and pieces all spliced together with a laptop, a mixer and his Revox reel to reel. Few bits and pieces I recall were the Todd Terje remix of “Superstition”, the Hallucinogenic Version of “Ain’t Nobody”, the Hot Coins re-edit of “Stand On The World”, “Two Sides of Sympathy” (The Amerie/Massive Attack mashup), Last Rhythm’s “Last Rhythm” plus our ever eternal favourite: The Frankie Knuckles remix of Loose Ends’ “Hangin’ On A String”. Proper feel good music. Dropping the Hues Corporation’s “Rock The Boat” as the final track was genius. Weather held up lovely (if a little cloudy) until we actually stopped at the pier, then it was just a light smattering of rain. Definitely blessed after last week’s dreadful forecast of grey skies and torrential raind. The fact we had to kick everyone off the lower deck as we pulled in to get them back up for Greg’s finale was classic. The Cigarettes and Sunshine boys were definitely getting into the swing of things by the end of it.
Then to the afters at Cos Bar. Getting enough people back to the bar to then have it kick off again till 1am was really special.
Our boys dropping the early doors Hackney basement vibes then Mr KIW again smashing it with an 80′s classic set to ensure that everyone stayed on the dancefloor. Our evening guest John Cunningham from Here & Now Recordings then carried the torch with a wicked boogie disco set. I’d had too many shandies at this point but I’m sure Sylvester’s effervescent “Over and Over” got a rinse to rapturous applause and more ridiculous stuff was pulled. We did a little set before The C&S boys closed the party with another bout of wicked tunes.
Final tunes of the night: “Good Life” dropped by me, then “Never Can Say Goodbye” by The Jacksons by C&S’s Saturday Kid. A very fitting tune considering I had another seven revellers carry on the party at the Boglewaltz Warehouse bash (Google It!), and one worse for wear fellow follow me down the road as I was leaving. “You Alright Mate” I said. “Just following the Boat Party Sir” He replied, lol.
Full respect to Mr Wilson (a pleasure Sir), Steve KIW, the Cigarette & Sunshine Crew: Dave, Lee and Danny for co-hosting with me. Stu Dennis, Will Durden , JC and Rob Le Marchand for providing more quality music at the afters, and all the people who lended a hand on the day, namely my girlfriend Michelle, Kathy Ellis, my co-promoter and money man Rob, the Ticketweb door girls Dawn and Gina (who were a godsend when it all looked like it was gonna go wrong).
Big shouts to Rob Wilkes (thanks again for the sterling effort on the flyer Sir) and all the friends and family I saw down there including Bongo Dave, who just turned up with some bongos on the day and played on the lower deck (well apparently only for my “house set” business).
We got some photos done which will go up here on the site and on the Facebook group over the weekend (got around 100 at the moment, need to whittle it down – think thats a little excessive to post tbh). Mr Wilkes has also kindly allowed me to whack some of his short videos of the day in the group too, so hop over there if you want to get a cheeky 2 min of sampler videos of some of the best bits of the boat.
As for next year? We’re thinking it definitely has to happen again so join the Facebook group or our mailing list to be in the know when we drop the details… the reward – cheap tickets and guaranteed entry. We’re aiming for the same two venues, we just need to organise the logistics a little bit better. And the food aspect. Michelle mentioned she’d never seen so many people eating crisps in her life!
As for what I played over both sessions.
Having a dig about, I think I played the following strictly vinyl set on the boat (not necessarily in this order)
Manuel Tur feat Blakkat – Golden Complexion (Live Dub)
6th Borough Project – Planets
Andres – Love Heals
Glenn Underground – I Feel No Love
Moodymann – Freeki MF
Donnie – Cloud 9 (Quentin Harris Mix)
Soul Bros – Deep Talkin’
Soul Ascendants – Tribute
El Coco – Afrodesia/Coco Kane (Eddie Tour edit)
LTG Exchange – Corazon (Version Idjut)
Seguida – Mambo Rock
Mos Def – Casa Bey
Linkwood Family – Piece Of Mind
… And then I did something similar at the after party, back to back with Rob Le Marchand. Here’s some I remember playing (again not necessarily in any order)
Moodyman – Shades of Jae
Arthur Russell – Wax The Van (Yam Who? Remix)
Situation – Love In Me
Metro Area – Miura
Herbie Hancock – Saturday Night (Beatconductor Remix)
Dam Funk – Hood Pass Intact
Zapp – More Bounce To The Ounce
A big final thanks again to all who turned up. It was definitley up there as one of the most special days of my life so far. Seriously can’t wait till next year.
Oh and for those still wanting to catch Greg in the London area, he’s playing at the Special Needs 5th Birthday Party at the Lockside Lounge in Camden this Saturday. Entry is £5 which is a bargain seeing as you’re catching one of the UK’s most influential DJs in an intimate venue.
