Bassman Bash 2008
Bassman returns
Air Superclub
Birmingham
Saturday 12th July 2008

Tonight we welcome back the Bassman Bash a night to celebrate one of Birmingham’s most prolific drum and bass artists. Once again the Birthday bash was staged I his home town of Birmingham at Air Superclub, Digbeth.

Bassman’s career spans over 20 years as one of the original mc’s to grace the microphone. Bassman is an inspiration too many of today’s mc’s in and out of the drum and bass scene, creating his own unique style which many have tried to imitate yet he is the originator.

Once again the Bassman Bash featured plenty of artists from the jungle drum and bass world across the 3 arenas of Air super club alongside 2 massive special PA’s.

When I arrived at the venue I had noticed that there was a heavy police presence which I’ve not really seen before around Air, though this was to deter any would be troublemakers. The queue was massive which spanned right up the road tonight was definitely goanna be a roadblock!

Headed into the main arena where the party was in full swing, I was greeted by the sounds of Shy FX who was closing his set off finishing with ‘Disco dodo’ and the Caspa dubstep remix of ‘Where’s my money’, which went off inside Air.

The main arena was completely rammed as the ravers where eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Birthday boy MC Bassman. Mickey Finn got things rolling as he played things rolling with ‘man of steel’ the superman tune, Bassman made his entrance onto the stage dressed in the full superman suit complete with the infamous red cape.

The Black Superman was in the building and was given a rapturous welcome by the crowd as he took to the microphone. Bassman accompanied by SDC members Juiceman and Trigga on the mic.

Mickey was on b2b with his son Logan D the first part of the father and son special, the pair had the party rocking as they rolled out with the beats with tunes such as ‘One finger test’, ‘Friends’, ‘D for danger’, ‘Beats booya’ remix and ‘Trust me’.

After Micky and Logan it was time for part two of the father and son special as Kenny Ken and Crissy Criss took over on the decks. Crissy and Kenny were dropping some serious tunage throughout this set the mixing was tight as expected. A few remixes along with some crowd favourites wee being played including, ‘Delikutt Beats’, ‘Mr Happy’, ‘Inna corner’, ‘Jungle story’

Sypda, Juiceman and Trigga did the mic duties for a majority of this set, with the coalition members bringing their individual styles to the set keeping the crowd on their toes throughout. Crissy was performing a number of teases on the decks whilst Kenny kept the mixes going as they dropped ‘Friday’, ‘Signal’, ‘Nightflight’ before closing with closing with TC’s ‘Pornstar.

Following on from the father and son specials it was time for Kool FM London’s very own DJ Brockie. The man from undiluted records was armed with a bag of dubplates lots fresh beats were being played by Brockie though he did throw in a number of bangers including ‘Turbulence’, ‘Killers don’t Die’, ‘Decibel and ‘Ho Bass’.

Brockie was joined by his long time partner MC Dett, Dett had the crowd rocking with his infamous lyrics and his voice that reverberated inside the four square walls of Air. Fatman D and the Ragga Twins briefly joined Dett on stage as the quartet started to battle on the mic sparring off each others lyrics, as Brockie continued to play ‘Feelings’, and ‘Offline’.

After Brockie it was time for a Live PA from General Levy who was here to perform a number of his tracks alongside the monster hit ‘Incredible’. General Levy has been touring all over Europe and made a short beak from his busy schedule to perform at Air tonight

The stage was cleared to make way for General Levy and was given a warm welcome by the Birmingham crowd. General levy got the PA underway with ‘Professional Ganja smoker’ and ‘Icky Sirens’ before he performed ‘Incredible’. The crowd erupted when ‘Incredible’ was dropped with everyone jumping into the air, General Levy did the full vocals including the ‘Icky’ vocal.

After the PA from General Levy it was the turn of the first ever DJ and MC team the mighty The Ratpack. Lipmaster Mark and Evenson Allen were in the house and flipped the switch as we had a small break away from drum and bass as the Ratpack played an oldskool classics set.

The Ratpack opened up with their number one hit ‘Searchin for my rizla’ and proceeded to play a number of classic ‘92 tunes including ‘I feel this way’, ‘On a ragga tip’, ‘Don’t go’

We had history in the making tonight as Bassman took to the stage and mc’ed alongside Everson Allen as the oldskool veterans went back to back for the first time ever. It’s been an absolute age since I’ve heard Bassman mc over oldskool and this was well worth it. Bassman was looking rather dapper dressed head to toe in white looking like a pimp!

Lipmaster Mark was dropping a number of nu-skool breaks remixes of oldskool classics within this set including ‘ Out of space’, ‘Bombscare’, ‘ Born slippy’, along with ‘Operation blade’ before finally finishing with the timeless classic ‘ Raving I’m Raving’

Following on from the Ratapck Bassman drew the raffle for a number of prizes including a solid mould of his finger! No prizes were claimed anyway on with the show and stepping up was the turn Class A Recordings duo CKB and DJ Sly. Lots of their own material from the label being showcased including ‘Cheese Cake’, ‘Ying Yang’, ‘king Pin’ and ‘Imagining things’

The Shadow Demon Coalition stepped up on the mic for the penultimate set of the night keeping the ravers hyped up with the different styles and attributes that each of the crew bring to the stage.

Birmingham’s finest DJ Hazard was on after the Class A duo, New Breed’s Fatman D joined Trigga and Bassman on stage, with the trio going off back to back throughout the set.

Hazard was playing a very grimey set which was enjoyed by the crowd who were dancing non-stop throughout his set as he dropped tracks such from the Playaz label including ‘Trouble Maker’, ‘Seen’, ‘Decibel’ and ‘Ho Bass’. The crowd reaction when Hazard dropped the infamous ‘Machete’ was incredible as it sent the crowd wild with the ravers bouncing off the walls causing chaos inside Air!

Soon after Hazard had finished it was time for me to go home.

Well what a night down at Air super club Birmingham a total contrast from last year’s logistical nightmare. This year everyone turned up with tickets as things ran really smooth on the door especially with tonight being a strictly ticket only event.

The atmosphere inside the venue was carnival like with everyone up for it bringing the party vibes. You also had Bassman dressing up as the man of steel complete in tights and the red cape really adding that extra touch to the party.

Was rather impressed with a number of DJ’s throughout the night particularly the Ratpack set with the surprise addition of Bassman on stage was something else good to hear Bassman over some 92 oldskool a rare treat these days.

The PA from General Levy was another highlight of the evening for me especially as I’ve never seen him before in my years of raving. It was great to see the general live on stage performing ‘Incredible’ even though he may have been shunned from the scene as the track crossed over into the mainstream but at the same time it opened the ears to mass audience

With so many people inside the venue the Bassman bash has definitely outgrown Air super club and definitely needs to find a larger venue to cope with the massive demand. But overall a wicked night with all the right ingredients
Massive shouts to Bassman(Happy Birthday), Magika, Jo, Lenni, Lipmaster Mark, Hazard, Kenny Ken, Mickey Finn, Chrissy Chris, General Levy, Spyda, Trigga, Mistress Mo, Shy FX, Biggie, Accapello, Brockie, Juiceman, Ryhmestar, Dett, Fatman D, Hidro, Neil Badboy, Devise, Long John, Macca, Sly, CKB, Alpha, Foggy, Ace, Gem, Sue, Reena, Bennikash, Rachel, Hollie, Sippy, Shakk, Rosie, Kaz, Josh, Diana and the London Ladies, Barrington, Victor, Will, Toddler, Derick, Rob and everyone else whose names I don't' know but faces I recognize