www.inthemix.com.au Review

Pure Pleasure Experience 1st Birthday

22nd September, 2007

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Written by Shannon Scully

The dance music and clubbing scene in Sydney is ever changing. Music trends and club nights coming and going almost as often as some people change their underwear, so for a club night to make it to 12 months is quite a feat and Pure Pleasure Experience has done just that. With electro house blowing up so huge in Sydney these days, finding good, quality funky house night was becoming an extremely difficult task. Then came PPE.

Promoter and resident DJ Ange created this night with the aim to provide Sydney again with some good, energetic, funky house music in a fun, friendly and relaxed environment and 12 months later she has proven that there is still room for funky house in Sydney.

From its launch in September '06 at Bar Broadway, Pure Pleasure Experience has gone from strength to strength, playing host to some of the biggest names in the Sydney house scene, such as Kate Monroe, Matt Roberts, Alex Taylor, Ben Kelly, Random Soul and many more. Over the 12 month span, PPE has moved from its original venue to the lush surroundings of the Trust Lounge at the Equilibrium Bar.

Having only visited this club night once in the past, I only had a little idea of what to truly expect from this night, but from arrival to departure it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Arriving early in order to appreciate the night right from the opening, I was greeted by friendly and inviting door staff. I made my way up the stairs and into the surroundings of the Trust Lounge and was welcomed by the deep and groovy sounds of Disco Lou. Lou did an excellent job of creating a nice relaxed feel from the music as a way to ease into the rest of the evening and help set the mood, playing a mixture of fairly deep, bouncy sounds and nice melodies. Towards the end of her set worked her way into some more soulful sounds, one recognisable track being a Defected classic You Can Make It by Jamie Lewis.

Next up to the decks was SHE promoter and resident Graham Cordery who followed on with the soulful theme Lou had left him with, and took the tempo up gradually as the set went along. Graham did what he does best, he kept the music soulful but with a funky edge, lots of keys and vocals to keep the energy and keep the crowd interested. By this time the night had really started to kick off, the room was gradually filling up with more and more people, happy, friendly faces everywhere and people had started to make their way onto the dance floor for a bit of a boogie.

Following on from Graham was Sydney soulful house duo Random Soul aka Yogi and Husky. Unfortunately, due to illness Yogi, who was going to be providing the vocals and live keys was unable to perform, luckily his partner in crime Husky was still there to hold down the fort and show Sydney just why they're quickly rising to be one of the biggest names in the Sydney soulful house scene and having recently had some of their tracks signed to some huge labels such as Celebrity and Jay J's label Shifted. Taking the place of Yogi for the evening, vocalist Kristen's incredible voice and excellent microphone technique helped provide just that little bit more to the already great sounds being played by Husky.

Husky surprised me this evening as he is usually known for playing the deeper side of soulful house and tonight he really took things up a notch and played some really up tempo funky house filled with loads of energy and by now the dance floor was packed with the crowd loving every minute.

With the night well and truly showing to be a huge success, we were graced by resident DJ Ange who really took the music to another level: the music was big, pumping and definitely very funky. Her set was filled with huge bursts of energy and really had everyone loving it all. The most recognisable tune from Ange's set was a massive funky remix of Born Slippy by Underworld which had everyone in the room cheering. Ange continued on form for the rest of the set before handing the headphones over to Ben Kelly.

It was only a few years ago that Ben Kelly was probably one of the most popular of Sydney's funky house DJs and was seen playing that sound all over the city. As time has progressed, so has Ben's musical tastes and influences. Nowadays, Ben is more widely known for playing electro and tech house as opposed to the funkier sounds he used to play. Tonight, however, we were in for a treat as Ben was back for an exclusive funky house set.

Playing the closing set Ben kept the energy and the tunes pumping right to the end and the crowd showed no signs of slowing down as he kept the dance floor packed right to the end. Leaving the club for the journey home, to me the night was well and truly a huge success.

Overall, if you like your house music big and funky then this is definitely a night you need to visit. Congratulations and Happy 1st Birthday to Pure Pleasure Experience, and here's to many more to come!

IBIZA EXPERIENCE

DJ ANGE IS BACK IN TIME FOR THE NEXT PURE PLEASURE EXPERIENCE, AND IT"S PROBABLY SAFE TO SAY SHE ENJOYED HER TRIP ... SHE TOLD 3D's DARRYN KING ALL ABOUT IT ...

Firstly, it sounds like you had a crazy time in ibiza, What were you up to?

Ibiza was phenomenal. 'Crazy' is an understatement. I went with three confirmed gigs and the expectation that I'd lap up the sun, sounds and surroundings as well as taking the time to meet and greet with as many promoters and DJs as was humanly possible. I had been pre-warned that Ibiza is a tough place to crack: every second person is a DJ trying to cut a break so I went in thinking realistically that it was going to be an uphill battle to be recognised.

As it turned out I didn't have to worry at all. The three gigs I had secured before I got there opened the door for me to play nearly 20 more - all in a four-week time frame. I was DJing everywhere from beack bars to clubs and bars in San Antonio's West End for nights like Gladrags, Charlys Angelz, Swirl, Electrolick, Ibiza Boat Party, Orange Corner and more. It was definitely exciting to see my name on posters and up on street signs as well.

Doing the Ibiza circuit must have opened the door to new opportunities, right?

DJing in Ibiza has definitely opened up the door for new opportunities both locally and abroad. It's also helped me tothink outside the box with where I want to head into the future and has given me the chance to grow as a DJ in playing to a different audience to what I was used to.

One last question about ibiza - will you be bringing us any of the tunes that are doing the rounds over there? What are you looking forward to playing?

Most definitely! I've managed to pick up quite a few different tracks in my travels.

Some of the biggest tracks in Ibiza at the moment I suspect has alredy hit the Australian scene including the 2007 remixes of Born Slippy & Insomnia, Axwell's I Found You, Tyken - Every Word, Whelan & Di Scala - Teardrops and more ...

Finally, what else can we look forward to at the next Pure Pleasure party?

Can you believe it, the next Pure Pleasure party on 22 September sees us turn one!

Our first birthday is an ode to the local scene. There is such an abundance of brilliant local talent out there so we have pooled some of the great DJs together to provide a fantastic night of funky house. We have Random Soul headlining the night with Yogi singing and playing the keyboards live! Also, supported by myself, Ben Kelly (Lookin' Good) playing an exclusive funky house set, Lummy (Monkey Tennis), Graham Cordery (SHE) and DiscoLou (Shore Club) .... And we even thought we'd throw in some giveaways on the night as well!

Written by Darryn King of 3D World

From the time the doors opened a steady stream of guests were making their way upstairs to the Trust Vodka lounge, with some ready and geared up to party even before the doors were opened! David J Matlak set the night off in style with a fantastic warm up set of deep/cruisy funky house, as the punters began sipping their first drinks and soaking up the atmosphere.

As early as 10pm the line into Pure Pleasure was growing faster than people could get through the door. New arrivals were welcomed to the soulful and light funky house expertly being presented by Nick Vidal. The atmosphere was building at this point and with the dance floor full, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Nick was the headline act! Stand out tracks that got the crowd really going included old classic by Bobby Blanco 3am with Nick's own personal twist to it, and Church Lady.

Carrying on the party vide Winston kept the crowd revved up and moving with his funky grooves, especially when he played Alex Taylor's remix of Eye of the Tiger.

When the 'First Lady' herself Kate Monroe stepped up to the decks a crowd that was already pumped went wild. A truly unforgettable classic funky house set that was not for the faint of heart! The throng of punters huddled up to the decks as close as they could get and were loving every move that Kate made! Some of the old classics were pulled out but true to Kate's originality, they were remixes none of us had ever heard before. Tracks like Changes, Put Your Hands Up (no not for Detroit!) and Give It Back made for a memorable night.

Kate commented that it was the most fun she's had in a long time, as she stayed and partied on until close. She and others praised the musical mastery that Ange continued to keep the dance floor moving with. Ange's seriously funking tunes and smooth, exciting mixes were a recipe for sore feet as the dancing just didn't stop throughout her entire set. Anyone thinking of sitting down was turned around when she pulled out a pumping house remix of the classic Rolling Stone's track Satisfaction as one of the last tracks of the night.

Overall the night was not one I will forget quickly: the crowd was a great mix of people who all had common connection of a classic down-to-earth party vibe, and a hankering for phenomenal music performed by some exceptional funky house talent behind the decks.

I will definitely be looking out for the next Pure Pleasure party scheduled for the 22nd of September when it celebrates it 1st birthday

If you are celebrating your birthday on or near a Pure Pleasure Experience party be sure to let us know as we can organise to ensure you have a great night with us.

Send us a myspace message or email info@purepleasure.com.au for more information

Ange's latest mix that was recorded LIVE! at the last Pure Pleasure Experience has been published on www.inthemix.com.au through their fabulous radio section called ITM-FM! There is a link on the main home page to ITM-FM :-)

Funky House Essentials - January 20, 2007

A steady stream of guests began to arrive early in the night as Winston got the show on the road with a smooth, deep funky set. Giving us a taste of his talent, he really set the scene for a true funky house party.

Drinks were flowing and the friendly atmosphere found at all Pure Pleasure events started to grow. Jam Doughnut shots were the drink of choice and were certainly free flowing. Balloons, posters and stars decorated the room to create a party vibe that was carried through the entire night.

Sam Serene and Jay Smalls were next up ready to show us what funky tunes they could rock the house with. They brought some old school tracks which pleased the crowd as they settled into the night.

Ange hit the decks with her first track packing out the dance floor. This was a quality funky house set by the crowd favourite as many didn't leave the dance floor throughout her set. The pinnacle was when she pulled out a secret remix of KLF - 3am Eternal. Her DJ style was compared to 'Kate Monroe in the old days of Subbies', a compliment she won't soon forget.

Sean Rigelsford played Bongo's on and off with each of the DJ throughout the event, adding to the party vibe and the musical talent of the night.

Graham Cordery took the crowd on a soulful ride, treating the party goers to a perfect finish to the night.

With the air conditioning system on the blink at Bar Broadway on one of the hottest nights this summer so far, everyone was excited about the move over to the plush surrounds of Trust @ Equilibrium (World Square) for the next Pure Pleasure Event on 31^st March, 2007.

See You There!

Paint the Town Red 

with Craig Obey, Matt Roberts, Clean & Serene DJs - REVIEW

Well the weekend is over :( and another work week has begun. Mondayitis has definitely set in.

The 2nd installment of The Pure Pleasure Experience was held at Bar Broadway on Saturday night, November 11.

We opened our doors early at 6pm to cater for the Frantic Boat cruise party-animals. Our resident DJ Ange played a great set filled with summer funky tunes on the Frantic cruise.

Matt Crawford started off the night with a beautiful soulful house set including tracks such as Boggie 2nite by Booty Love and a great remix of Insatiable by Mark Knight

DiscoLou then took to the stage playing a nice deep house warmup set. One track that stood out to me was "The Reason" by Mark Knight

Then the Clean & Serene boys jumped on kicking off their set with a Dina Vass vs Hoxton Whores track called Come Be With Me. Beautiful soulful and funky tunes, stepping it up a notch from Lou's warmup set.

Ange came on and played great up-tempo funky house throwing out a bit of known and a bit of unknown tracks. Great remixes of "You Get What You Give" by LMC, Yardmen - Deep Progress, ATFC & Mark Knight - We Got Tha (seems Mark Knight was a bit of a fave for the night), topped it off with an old fave - "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life"

Matty Roberts turned the funk around and Craig Obey toughened it up with a bit of electro infused house to finish off the night.

The theming was great with lots of red balloons, red mood lighting and loads of punters dressing to suit. There was also a $300 Pure Pleasure Prizepack up for grabs as well as lots of on the spot prizes handed out to those who dressed to theme.

If you missed the Paint the Town Red party be sure to put January 20, 2007 in your diary for the next one!

We have lift-off!
The Pure Pleasure Experience launch .. 23 September 2006

..

Putting your first club night on is a bit like holding a birthday party. A very expensive birthday party. You send out the invitations, plan the entertainment, decorate the venue, and then you hope and pray that more than just your close mates turn up.

The launch of the Pure Pleasure Experience at Bar Broadway was certainly a cause for celebration, and to continue the birthday party analogy, the organisers even had goodie bags for early birds!

Opening at 9pm at Bar Broadway was a gamble that paid off .. there was a healthy crowd already up and dancing to the first DJs, The Mad Hatters, who were cheekily sneaking the funk notch up quite early in the night.

There was a bit of a buzz surrounding the next act .. as vocalist Kyla Sexton has been creating a name for herself at various club nights around Sydney. Combining her inexhaustible voice with Ben Kelly's DJ set made for an exciting performance, as they traversed the deeper side of house music.

By the time Brenden Fing came on, there was an undeniable energy all around. If you didn't know everyone in the room when you came in, you sure would before the night was over. And where else would you see a girl dressed up in full goth gear grinding away to house music? Or a guy dressed up in surgical gear, with a sign on his front asking to be cured with a kiss (he was on a buck's night, by the way!)?

Brenden took us to the dirty side of house, with a few current favourites such as 'Put Your Hands Up In The Air For Detroit'. Behind him, there was a motorbike rider careening around corners and racing through the air. On a screen though .. Bar Broadway wouldn't allow the real thing!

If there's a time during the night when you want to hear classic house and favourite anthems, it's usually around 2am .. when you've had a few, you're in the mood, and you want something to keep you dancing. So Ange's timing was perfect when she pulled out 'Ride The White Horse' and a great remix of 'Dirty Cash'.

And what better finish to the night than the infamous Alex Taylor .. whose knowledge of house music knows no competition in Sydney? He played to an enthusiastic group of revelers who were reluctant to let the evening come to its natural conclusion.

Fortunately, unlike birthday parties .. you don't have to wait another year for the next Pure Pleasure Experience. The second installment will be held on Saturday November 11, and the theme is RED!

Written by Marisa Miller