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The fourth World Dance bonfire extravaganza was
appropriately named Fire Island. Djs playing
included the ever faithful Ellis Dee and Hype, who
have made appearances at almost every single World
Dance (this honour also goes to the great
Grooverider who was unfortunately absent tonight).
Alongside them was Kenny Ken, Andy C, Rap, SS, Nicky
Blackmarket, Marley Marl and the very talented and
ever so popular MC Skibee made his debut to
compliment the tones of Fearless perfectly. So, nine
hours of musical, vocal and, as promised,
pyrotechnic pleasure awaited us, inside the Island
Music Arena!
First impressions were surprisingly good. I had a
few reservations about this venue because with World
Dance, we are used to the hanger at Lydd and I was
afraid that this more conventional style would
cripple WD’s whole vibe. But I was wrong. Walking
through the crowd it was instantly recognisable that
there was the same old faces… the WD faithful did
not let us down!
Unfortunately, there seems to be a new phenomenon at
raves. More and more youngsters are joining the
scene with the wrong impressions instilled in them -
that bad attitude runs hand in hand with drum n
bass. This is not what raving is all about. Don’t
come down with your weapons and attitudes - they’re
not welcome! Thankfully World Dance is one event
where only the right attitudes are demonstrated and
other events that shall remain nameless should take
note.
When we arrived just after midnight, DJ SS was
spinning a fine selection of hardstep drum n bass,
mostly from his own Formation stable. He was
assisted by the vocal talents of MC Fearless whose
job was clear - bring up the noise!
By one o’clock, the place was filing up nicely and
the balcony opened to accommodate all the people.
The Island is an old theatre very similar to the
Rex, Astoria and Camden Palace. Unlike other venues,
it is surprisingly cool - in temperature, rather
than credibility! It gets a little claustrophobic at
times though and there’s not as much to do as there
is at a big venue.
Kenny Ken stepped up to a huge welcome. He played an
unusually dark set full of his familiar touches like
the excellent Mozart inspired Riddler and a few
other little treats for the rollers inside the
place. As the lasers fired for action, it was
evident that there was on overwhelming air of
anticipation. We to the faithful, the intro of the
Terrorist could be heard and we knew it was only a
matter of time until the pyrotechnic display would
begin. Suddenly, the venue lit up in time to the
music - not as spectacular as at Lydd, but wicked
nevertheless. Boom, boom, boom, the party had really
started!
Nicky Blackmarket was up next, with some notably
sharp mixing. He blended the old classics such as
Warp Ten (Rocky theme) and MA2 with some new
business. By 3am, MC Skibee had arrived to a
cheering audience and new business. By 3am, MC
Skibadee had arrived to a cheering audience and took
over from MC Fearless. Up too was Andy C - yes yes!
As usual, Andy began with a storming dub plate to
get people in the mood - stand back, rough business
is here. Squeezed in were his own remixes of Circles
and Doc Scott’s Shadow Boxing. “Rewind!” yells
Skibadee, dealing with the matter. When Andy C spun
Peshay’s spanking new dub, Miles from Home, the
place simply erupted. The wicked remix of Piper was
the icing on the cake - an excellent set from a very
talented figure in the scene.
By the time Hype finally arrived, the crowd was
ready and waiting. Just like Innovation back in
August, Hype was scratching from the offset…. Let’s
start as we mean to go on. With his own remix of
Ultra Funkular, Hype was certainly having a good day
with rewind and rewind for It’s Jazzy, Terrorist and
Punk Era. MC Skibadee was in the place: “Live, Live
- Lively!!!” Hype absolutely tore the place down and
ended with a rough plate to leave everyone begging
for more.
At 5am, DJ Rap was here to reclaim her crown as the
Queen of the jungle. With the increasing popularity
of Dazee and Wildchild, this girl had something to
prove. For a DJ many people consider to be
inconsistent, she played a nice rolling set with a
rewind for Cartoons Part 2 and some corking dark
numbers - big up!
The last hour was in the hands of Ellis Dee, with
Skibadee, who was beginning to sound a bit tired.
Four hours on the mic must have been taking its
toll. Then - BOOM! - Ellis Dee picked it up with a
tantalising selection of tunes.
The atmosphere was the same as at World Dance
events, excellent music, vibe and production for the
venue that they had. 1998 is another year for them,
time for experimentation. Everybody seems to look to
World Dance for the inspiration, because after all,
they are on of the longest running organisations in
the country and have innovated, set standards and
managed to survive when others have died off. The
Island isn’t big enough, but it is a perfect venue
for them to show off their production. Wembley is
big enough, but doesn’t carry an identity for them.
Others have used the venue, so perhaps 1998 is the
time for WD to find a new home, as yet unused by
other rave promoters. I’ll leave you with a quote
from Eddie Murphy’s Delirious video, “Now that’s
what I call a fire!” I bet New Year’s Eve will be
even hotter!
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