Oslo Soul Experience - Lookback -28 March 2012

WOW, that is the only word that I can think of right now if I shall begin to describe the soulful weekend experience I just had in Oslo. I'll take it from the beginning.

I had been looking forward to my first guest dj spot at the legendary Oslo Soul Experience for quite some time. Out of coincidence, it turned out to be the same weekend as the opening of the exhibition "Ghetto Tales - Soul with a message" at the great Kowalski & Hansen Gallery in Oslo. Tommy SÃÆ’¶vik has been working on this project (and I hope he will continue what he has going) for a very long time. On display at the exhibition was a BIG selection of original 45s with a clear radical/political message. The 45s had oh so cleverly been divided into six different sections/categories. They were tidy shown together with prints of the lyrics and maybe it goes without saying that the 45s on display were played by Tommy throughout the day. It was a great exhibition and I am very happy to have been there!

After a great dinner with Tommy, BjÃÆ’¶rn-Espen (representing OSE as GÃÆ’¶ran was on holiday), Chris (aka Jonny Snorkel), BjÃÆ’¶rn Kowalski-Hansen, etc it was off to the club. The club itself is located at the penthouse of the Rockefeller Music Hall and probably holds around 2-300 people. It started to fill up already at around 23.00 and was jam-packed an hour later. The selection of music played was, as most of you would know sice it is what the club has earned its fantastic reputation from, a very fresh mix of rare soul, funk and disco. As with the music, the crowd was open-minded and perhaps most importantly, they were there to party!

Here is the 45 that I played (more or less in the right order I would think) during the night:

Early night

Waymond Hall - Till I found you (JAMAL)

Freedom - High on you (FREEDOM)

Michael Smith - A love that's heavenly inspired (PHAROAH)

Norma and the Heartaches - Nice and slow (JOY RIDE)

Richard Caiton - I'd like to get near you (UP TIGHT)

23.40-00.00

Willie Dale - Let your light shine (LOVIE D.)

Aka Shaic - Ain't no big thang do (DOVE SONG)

Charlene and Soul Serenaders - Can you win (PARADOX)

Psychodelic Frankie - Putting you out of my life (HI-SPEED)

Cosmos Universal Band - Third Eye (API ATTEIRAM)

Halo - Let me do it (MARSHAL)

Jodesha & Star Ride - Star ride (LOVE POET)

00.40-01.00

Charles Simmons - Save the world (HITSOUND)

Alphonso Hunter - I'll let you go free (GATE-WAY)

Daniel Madison - Funky popcorn (TRANSNATIONAL)

The Love Experience - Are you together for the new day (CHERRY RED)

Melvin Davis - Find a quiet place (WHEEL CITY)

The Tomangoe's - I really love you (WASHPAN)

The Mist - Life walked out (TWINIGHT)

Mixed Feelings - Sha-la-la (UNITED)

01.40-02.00

Le Cop. - Law, order and peace (K. SHAVONNE)

Vantage Point - All night (VANTAGE POINT)

Sandi & Matues - The World Pt. 1 (MATUES)

Ice - Reality (ICE)

Tolbert - I got it (ROJAC)

L.F.S.B. - Star bird I (STAR)

02.40-03.00

Billy Byrd - Lost in the crowd (SCREAM)

Soulfull Strutters - Let your feelings go (STRUT)

Elipsis - People (Briarmeade)

Mixed Generation Enterprize - Take to the sky (BLASTOFF)

Tony Fox - Love, let love and be loved (BLASTER)

Frederick - Move on (TIME TRAX)

Lisa Warrington - I like the way you do it (SOUND MODIFICATION)

7 Miles Per Hour Band - Latin freak (MUSIC CITY)

And my ender...

Herby Brown - One more broken heart (BLUE ASH)

Oslo Soul Experience is celebrating its 9^th Anniversary later this year. It is known as one of the world's best soul clubs and I can guarantee you, it truly is! The people are friendly, the beer is nice and the music is top notch! Many thanks to Tommy, BjÃÆ’¶rn (and GÃÆ’¶ran though we didn't meet as he was on holiday) for having me and I do wish you many many more successoulful years!

/Johan