GOSH @ PLASTIC PEOPLE, LONDON 27 Feb 2003

Preconceptions -get um fucking right. I had been looking to learn the dark arts of the boys from Big Dada’s deep record collection at Gosh, their first regular club night. Fresh from Roots Manuva’s ‘Badmeaninggood’ compilation my ideas of such eclectic mix were way out the window. Scratching around for the night’s info I realized that it does exactly what it says on the tin. This wasn’t some academic exercise; this was about dancing and this is what it did. Any tendency to stand rocking at the back should be left with your six quid at the door. People had come to dance.

Plastic People is a good spot for such a venture. Whether previously owned by Baby Bear or not, the dance floor is not too large, or too small, but just right; an engaging vibe without the dripping ceiling syndrome. The only trouble being that, having the folly to go buy the next round of drinks you are spewed out into an area with all the acoustics and decor of a suitably natty restaurant.

Applause for the idea of keeping away from the old school anthems and trying forge a newer breed of hip-hop night. Having said that, there’s enough new shit about not to repeat the same songs in a three-hour stint. Deejay A' La Fu and Wayne Bennett wove a night that kept you moving, though they gave the impression that the fear of a static dance-floor prevented them testing a small but alive crowd with a little more variety. Fresh stuff periodically popped out, though it was heavily outweighed by your Ce’ciles and Punjabi MCs. It wasn’t a night for hollerin’ at the DJ booth, but I think that might be to come.

Big Dada seems to have a darn fine meaty base of a regular club night. It wasn’t all that I had hoped for, but it could turn into something so much more. This time it was not a showcase for individuals but a solid club night. Go and enjoy it as such, I will.

words: Tom Churcher