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Review: Elevate 1 (in prep for elevate 2) - TRIBAL!
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| Ni-Cd |
BY THOR'S HAMMER!!
I just realized I never posted this bloody review--seeing the Roll Call thread for Elevate TWO totally tweaked my memory. For anyone thinking of hitting elevate 2 this Saturday at Toika, perhaps you'll find this review of use!
I'd seen DJ Bliss spamming me practically daily on Facebook with the premise of "bringing tribal back to Toronto." Initially, my thought was "sure buddy, let's see how far you can go." with only a little sarcasm wrapped up into the comment.
Not to be mean, but as much as I love Tribal, and other Tribal lovers being quite vocal, I didn't think that Tribal had that much pull in Toronto as a house genre over say Tech-House, Electro or the a-cursed Minimal (yech!--though I hear I still have to go to a box of kittens party to hear "real" minimal).
Then I had the chance opportunity to hear Bliss at a private party at the end of last summer and he played some PROPER tribal. He also had this laptop and mixer board with really pretty blue lights, which was the most impressive.
I had the chance to talk to him afterwards and he told me he'd be throwing some tribal parties in 2009 and hoped to get the likes of D-Unity, Deko-Ze and Addy involved. I told him if he did that, I would be IN like SIN--and then much to my surprise, the guy pulled it together.
Toika is a SMALL venue. This is probably my biggest complaint about Elevate 1. It is laid out in an L shape, with the DJ being at the top of the L and the entrance being at the bottom right of the L. I'm pretty sure it was built that way in the early 18th century in honour of the legendary King-who-loved-Tribal, Louis. He also enjoyed pretzels.
Though Toika be small, it sound be LOUD, and I loved the bass ripping through the venue. Someone has paid proper attention to sound, and it shows. I hit a top 40 bar the other week (yeah, I know. I KNOW. shuddup. I know).
Gracie was behind the decks. Ever hear this guy lay it down? My first time. His name sort of made me think of gravy. So I thought of french fries...but he brought more than the happy meal on this set, dog! (That was all Randy still, dig?) I LOVED the vocal tribal Matt Gracie laid down during his set...inDEED, it may have even been my favourite part of the night (perish the thought, over dear D-Unity?) But that's how it was for me.
I see Bliss come up to check the sound and Addy bringing in his gear for his set. Addy being one of my all time favs (Popped Corn - Dj Addy & Adam K--what! what!)--I couldn't wait to hear this guy take the decks.
Near the end of Gracie's set, I noticed a guy pounding away on a djembe and realized it must the the advertised Dragon Drums--live Tam Tams! At first when I read that Dragon Drums would be there, I totally envisioned a character from Mortal Kombat (respect. DC heros? What?)
I remember being at Boa Redux about 3 years ago, and when they invited live percussionists to play, they actually had a slotted set time for that tam tam hero. I haven't seen it since, but I think the scene would really benefit from it. I know people are mixed on live drumming to a DJs set, so if there was a set time, where the DJ could setup a beat for the drummer, then the drummer could take center stage for a bit and work back and forth with the DJ, I think it would make more of a show, and allow people to truly appreciate the skill of a hand-drum player. Generally, in the scene, the hand-drummers are peripheral, off to the side, and either very much please the listeners around them, or piss them off. It seems very divided to me. Giving an actual set time might improve this environment...
The place was PACKED. It reached capacity before midnight and the crowd inside was mixed between Tribal lovers, scene regulars and another crowd I could only guess as Toika regulars. It was a refreshing mix of people, and there was a sizable amount of space dedicated to seating.
It was cool seeing the house-music legend of Toronto Summer-time helping out at the door: Anas Attia! I nailed a picture of bliss & him at the door. Anas, I'm truly sorry about the picture. I think you had just applied chap stick. My bad.
The Legend of Bagok was there--DJ Cam Maxwell, eating up the tribal beats. Cam and I are both long-time Tribal lovers, so this event was the total (warning, gay saying here) ying to our yang.
Btw, get a totally bonus Cam Maxwell Tribal-licious Zoner set here!!!
http://www.sendspace.com/file/lz34un
I totally stole it and uploaded. Ha ha! Screw you Cam! God bless the internet!
There was a certain part of the night that I decided that Rambo was totally cool. I still haven't come to grips why I thought that. Enter Zombie Addy:
Heading back inside, my boys were on the decks and bringing some HARD and POUNDING tribal to the decks. NOBODY does it like d-unity folks. Every single time, they totally rock the dance floor.
My only complaint about d-unity? Well, two complaints really...why aren't they spinning in Toronto more? (I hear they've been at FILM lately though?) and secondly--why aren't there any more live recorded sets by them? Give us the goods, guys. Jeeze.
So the night was pretty awesome. Gracie impressed, Addy was chuggy and thorough, I didn't get a chance to hear bliss (ironically), and D-Unity cleaned up the floor.
My only criticism would be with the venue...it's a little small, but more importantly, they closed the bar around 2:30 am! And I don't mean they stopped serving alochol, I mean they stopped serving everything, including water and energy drinks! Brutal.
I hear that an Elevate 2 is in store...I'm totally down for it. Even if it is at Toika again. The venue is small but comfortable, and the sound is killer. I just hope they make sure the bar staff stay the night and serve plenty of ginger-bulls after alcohol stops being served--unbelievable how necessary those 3:30 am energy boosts are.
tribal forever!! (and house a wee bit longer!)
(edit, Elevate two is coming! Yes, it's at toika. but it's tribal, so let's do this. Here's the thread to the roll call: http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...3&forumid=12&s= |
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| v-vaughn |
Yessss...definitely my fave set played from Sunday :D
<3 tribal |
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| Miss. S |
lol @ pic of Anas.
D-Unity = Aside from Lawler, my fav producers (for Tribal)
One of my FAV tracks right now :)
Me = f-ing love tribal and love that it IS coming back <3
btw, just found my System Soundbar foldable frisbee the other day, anyone else MISS that place? ----we are family----
Great review. I cant wait for Saturday, never been to Toika but with that line-up it wont matter where it is. And Risto's birthday shenanigans will be taking place, as well Paul Anthony playing at CZ in the morning afterwards. Sure to be a LOVELY evening.. hehe
:gsmile: :p :D :toocool: :gsmile: :p :D :toocool: |
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| Xavier Moriarty |
| quote: | Originally posted by Miss. S
Me = f-ing love tribal and love that it IS coming back <3
btw, just found my System Soundbar foldable frisbee the other day, anyone else MISS that place? ----we are family----
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i still have my key chain and a winter hat.
i miss it like fat girl misses the prom :( |
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| cammaxwell |
| quote: | Originally posted by v-vaughn
Yessss...definitely my fave set played from Sunday :D
<3 tribal |
Thanks! That is the one from Sun, although I haven't even had a chance to listen to it yet. The CD they gave me mysteriously disappeared from my studio Sun night after Sheldon dropped by...
(restraining order back in effect!) |
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| Dj Bliss |
Just want everyone to know that I am working on getting a bigger and better venue for Elevate 3. They are hard to come by but one I get one we will step up Elevate to yet another level........
All in good time......
kevin
(Bliss) |
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| Miss. S |
| quote: | Originally posted by Xavier Moriarty
i still have my key chain and a winter hat.
i miss it like fat girl misses the prom :( |
I actually still have a pair of System underwear!
I miss Bang Saturdays with Pat...:( :(
Now I almost shed a tear when I pass by and hear 50 cent coming outta there...&@#$*&@!!! :nervous: :whip: :mad: :( |
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| Xavier Moriarty |
| quote: | Originally posted by Miss. S
I actually still have a pair of System underwear!
I miss Bang Saturdays with Pat...:( :(
Now I almost shed a tear when I pass by and hear 50 cent coming outta there...&@#$*&@!!! :nervous: :whip: :mad: :( |
lol, you remember those 2 girls who had system's logo for their bitchstamps??
now, thats a dedication!!!! |
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| Miss. S |
| quote: | Originally posted by Xavier Moriarty
lol, you remember those 2 girls who had system's logo for their bitchstamps??
now, thats a dedication!!!! |
yep, total dedication. And I thought i was somethin gettin the rub off ones every once in awhile... lol.
OH, I also still proudly own the Resonations Cd, thank god I kept it cant find it anywhere anymore |
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| Xavier Moriarty |
| quote: | Originally posted by Miss. S
yep, total dedication. And I thought i was somethin gettin the rub off ones every once in awhile... lol.
OH, I also still proudly own the Resonations Cd, thank god I kept it cant find it anywhere anymore |
and i still have BLC's breaking the sound barrier.
man, i miss that place, a lot. my life. |
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| Shaya007 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Miss. S
I actually still have a pair of System underwear!
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wait you wear underwear?
:toothless |
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| Xavier Moriarty |
| quote: | Originally posted by Shaya007
wait you wear underwear?
:toothless |
suspense in your post almost killed me |
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