Monkey Report 16 Nov 02

Soul talk

A Tale of Monkeyness

Well another monkey and another cracking nite

If cant be doing with my usual words to cut it short

Top Sounds, Top feel, Top people, top nite

A Most enjoyable nite!!

For the the extended version read on…….

Of course am involved in running of this event along with Steve Holyhead Thomas and cynics could say a totally biased view, and tell the truth they are more than likely right, but that’s that. As always a disturbing lack of vinyl info.

After 6 months of Monkey, one of things learnt to expect on the nites is the unexpected and this time was no different. First signs of this were when we pulled up into car park we spotted Elvis, Dorothy (from Wizard of Oz) and Fred Flintstone walking into the hotel. Straight up. Thought here we bloody go…. just what I need. Turned out what I thought was a wedding in other room was actually a fancy dress do, so bit of a relief and fears eased, lucky enough that as the bouncers were on the ball that’s all saw of them all nite.

Back to reality as event got going, Lawrence and then meself took care of warm up numbers seemed a bit slack compared to previous at first, not that much fighting for the half price drinks, but picked up later on. Sue and Julie looked after the door thing, was going to say monkey ******** but took note of your concerns. And the Blue Peter style Monkey Newsletter was out with details of next event, coach trip and playlists.

Mark Speakman was first up and gave nite a great start with some classy selections doing the local start up thing. The Imperial Cs - Somebody tell her (Phil A Soul) Virgina Blakely - Dont let nobody love you (Mojo) Bernie Williams - Baby Baby (Deesu) were just some of the sounds he gave out thru nite.. Mick H (notts) was a late addition to the rota, travelled up with Andy D and Chalky and though many were still arriving and dance floor wasn’t being hammered yet dished out a great set with some well “ouch” sounds. Which quite simply just enhanced the rep the monkey has for quality.

Caught up with a few well-travelled not seen for a while faces, Nick G (member# 001) and mate Mick travelled up from Peterborough, (famous now as the person who asked if Colwyn Bay be a good place for a pre-event chill). Crowd wise, as always this monkey nite was different than the others, fair old gang of hardcore regulars in now all living the life, regulars from close and afar, regards to the regular St Ives lot, a few refugees just back from the latest Soul In The Sun, all the North Wales and North West quality fiends and all the travellers who showed up. Including sizeable mobs from Telford and Shrewsbury areas.

Got to say crowd wise this was the best one yet for me, not numbers thru door wise but in feel and atmosphere, all were just there for a quality nite of rare soul, which made our diplomatic –“this is not a oldies nite” notice just a bit surplus.

Carl Willingham, (standing in for Andy Rix – awol in Cyprus) took over the first Monkey regular spot and gave out a great well balanced set, likes of Isonics – Sugar, Faye Simmons - Please Tell Me Im Yours, and gave me a well nice surprise when he dished out the great “Love stormy weather”, as was hoping that Andy D would give it a blast later so got me pudding early, After Mick H, Carl just picked up that torch of quality rare soul and ran with it. Great stuff and had great feedback. Andy Dyson out of the traps next, what can I say, last time heard Andy was at Llandudno connoisseurs weekend, and he blew away then, this time should have had ambulances on stand by, such was the amount of rare soul damage given out with likes of “Demanding man” – Sensations, and Locations causing major casualties. Someone said recently he’s one of the top 3 UK current djs and after tonight gotta say to me that tag is well deserved. Rob Thomas jumped up next and pulled out some right corkers including the one off unofficial monkey anthem instru of Crying Time by the “lets have a go without her band” and likes of “oh isnt she a pretty girl” and much more. A great set by Rob led us to the “monkey till you drop” final half hour. Where anything goes, numbers at this time were thinning out a bit but Mark S took no notice and sealed the nite with an end of nite mix.

Sound of the Nite - Nu-Rons grabbed a fair few votes

Monkey over, a chill out beer and chat in bar and then the lets get out of here

Final View – Sounds and make up of crowd wise, up there with the best of them, both cracking.

After 6 months monkying think can safely say we have achieved what we set out, a regular event featuring a brand of quality rare soul sounds and quality DJs. We set out to offer something different than what other events offer in this part of the world , (no disrepect to any other venues, many quality ones around here, and have had many enjoyable times at them.). But we felt would give what we consider a good nite out after all if we offered similar or the same as others what would be the point! As always said its never been about the money, anyone witness our attempts to balance the books can verify that.

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In past don’t say much apart from “Its just a soul nite” even though have had some quotes such as “Best soul nite ever been to” “This is what its all about” etc etc Modesty made us keep such remarks to ourselves in past, but as this is a biased view might as well let loose with some of comments on the nite and after

“Crack was brill sounds were brill.”

“Just a couple of lines to thank everybody at last nights Drunken Monkey who

made us feel so welcome, what a brilliant night, well worth the 400 mile

round trip”

“All I can say is top night and top crowd. Musically great with the emphasis

on quality, none of the usual overplayed hammered to death soul you get at

some other venues. We all had a great night and cant recommend this place

enough, you really ought to try and get along.”

Numbers a bit down on last but had no effect on atmosphere, or feel a good quote from Cambridge way was along lines of was “here for the soul and people, if was just after a crowd would have gone to……”

There you go, blatant in your face promotion or just a few quotes from soul fans , you decide

Misc stuff:

Viv Coulson passed on info on girls on the decks nite coming up at Bury town hall, which have totally forgotten dates, please someone send in details.

Saw new copy of Soul Resonance out – always a hefty read; book that bathroom for a few hours.

Lot of people comment about online stuff, don’t forget website has DMSC Forum section can post ought on it. And also other sections for event news, sales, and more.

Cracking line up for the return of the Allbrighton event next month Butch Dave Thorley and more

Thanks On behalf of Steve and meself: Go out to

All the monkey crew, door staff, Springfield Hotel staff

Many thanks to Anne and Trevor for yet again doing the photo thing.

All the DJs – Top Thanks to all, the quality and enjoyable soul that was delivered on the nite was just first class. Up and beyond what we booked you for.

Joe Dunlop for being Joe Dunlop

And last but most of all, big thanks to all the members who made the nite what it was, you are the Monkey!

Xmas Friday 27 Dec

Friday 27 Dec sees the Xmas thing with the “Monkeys Xmas Box”

Return of Regular Andy Rix, DMSC regular Rob Thomas

Special Guests:

Dave “I’m not gonna wear no Father Christmas suit” Rimmer

Brian Ellis

Close to the chest details of rest of festive going ons out soon.

This will be a right old rip-up!

Thanks for getting this far, as always feedback, views, thoughts etc most welcome

Written by Mike h on behalf of

DMSC team – release that monkey within

Mike Hughes, Steve Thomas,(co-promoters) Andy Rix, Rob Thomas (regular djs) and all rest of crew

text sms/mobile – 0771 9086723

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