The Scene #14

ISSUE 14 THE SCENE MAGAZINE 1995 - 70p RUFF & READY Inside This Issue: Benji Candelario Donovan "Bad Boy" Smith Jungle In Ibiza Single Minded Promotions DJ Ramos Plus Much More.... front cover sponsered by: Higher Limits (Ruff & Ready / Promised Land, Volumes 1)

JUNGLE FEVER The Sanctuary, (Milton Keynes) 26th August 1995 Hands up who's never been to a Jungle Fever before? Yes, Well I'm one of them so believe me this was an event I was not going to miss out on this time round. After days of looking forward to this event and hours of getting ready we finally arrived at The Sanctuary at about 1.45am. We were greeted by some friendly but strict looking security and a queue that was empty. This was something that surprised me as I was expecting a never ending queue. After a quick search we entered the main arena through a very small set of double doors and just as I had imagined the whole of the place was just rammed and everyone was just shocking out. On the decks was Andy C and blasting out some of his fine and perfect lyrics was Stevie Hyper D who had the whole of the crowd bopping. Considering we got there late in the evening, I was gutted to realise I had missed the likes of Tonic, Footloose, Nikki Blackmarket and DJ Hype. Also after about 10 minutes of being in the main arena I was then disappointed that Stevie Hyper D had finished his MCing for the evening. Next up on the M.I.C came the likes of "Moose" and "Rema Dee" and not long after they were soon joined by MC "5ive O". This was the first jungle rave that I had ever heard the voice of Rema Dee on the MIC and believe me he sounded ok but sometimes rather distant. We were then introduced to the next DJ of the night and I have to say "Big up Devious D for rinsing out some of the finest jungle tunes around at the moment". He dropped some of the most wickedest tunes around and the crowd were just shocking out and going crazy. This was a Jungle rave that took me a while to get in to as I have never been to a fever before and I was new to the Sanctuary venue. I spent most of my evening walking around the venue to which I have to say I was not at all keen on, I always thought that The Sanctuary was a huge venue and had much more to offer but it's not as big as everyone made it out to be. One thing that really annoyed me was the heat, it was far too hot in there and the floor was very wet and very dirty. Production wise was good with Jungle Fever banners hanging from around the venue. The stage setting was great with the DJ box in the centre of the stage so you could see the DJ on the decks, there was also dancers both boys and girls at both sides of the stage who danced very well. After some tearing tracks from the Devious Rude Boy D came the Great Grooverider. As always he dropped some rough tunes along with many dubplates and new tracks as well. Still pleasing us with there presents and screaming for the rewinds were Moose, 5iveO and Rema Dee. I then decided it was time to take a walk to arena 2 where it was a mix of "The Kool FM Hit Squad" and a selection of the best up and coming DJ's from out of London. When I arrived in there I was shocked that such a little arena was so full and simply just rocking. The atmosphere in there was just as great as the atmosphere in the main arena. On the decks was DJ Kutlas who as always dropped some fine tunes and backing him up on the M.I.C was none other then the "Teka MC" who looked and sounded on a good one. In arena 2 there was some good seating areas to which really pleased me, so I had a good sit down while listening to this set. After a while I found myself so relaxed but with a swing of a door I heard "Rolling Rolling with the bass,coming on strong with the hardcore race". So, I picked up my feet and made my way back to the main arena to hear the voice of MC DET. Now by this time on the decks were DJ "Ron" and "Brockie" with there back to back set and boy was the whole place just rocking! Due to the fact that I had been in Arena 2, I was told that I had missed DJ "Randall" who apparently played a rough set. Brockie and Ron sure did keep the crowd hyped and as always "DET" kept everyone going with his fine and sexy set. The atmosphere in the whole of the venue was great, everyone on a happy buzz and full of so much energy. Ron dropped many wicked tunes and Brockie cut between the lines with a very musical kind of set. He also dropped some rough tunes along with his usual new dubplates and mixing skills. Taking over on the Mic was the last MC of the night the MIGHTY FINE "Navigator". On top form as always it was him who introduced the last 2 DJ's of the night a back to back set by "Jumping Jack Frost" and "Brian G" who dropped a whole set of new tearing tracks and dubplates to kill. A good night was had by all although, I do think the whole evening could have been a little bit better with maybe some more exciting things going on or some other things on offer. The best DJ of the night has to definitely go to DJ Brockie who as always dropped a wicked set along with "Ron" who played along side him back to back. As for the best MC of the night, I'm going to crown that one on "Navigator" although I feel that the main disappointment of the evening was the MC's. There was not one MC who roughed it, I've heard them do so much better at other raves. One thing that I would like to know Please tell my Jungle Fever Massive is "Why put such a great MC like Stevie Hyper D on at the start of the rave? Why not save him till the middle or towards the end? If I had heard more then 10 minutes of Stevie Hyper, I'm sure that the best MC of the night would have gone to him but unfortunatly I missed out. I wanna say a big massive shout to Fiona and Natalie, Thanks for sorting out the travel arrangements and Fiona I can handle it. Also a big shout to the sexy man with the plat's, You know who you are.......S.E.X.Y !!!!!! (YES, FOR REAL) VITAL STATISTICS Venue - 85% DJ's, MC's & Sound System - 90% Atmosphere & Crowd - 95% Lighting & Production - 90% Security - 95% GOOD OVERALL RATING 91% Review By: Sarah M-M-McKinley THE SCENE MAGAZINE 29

The Long Awaited Debut Album POLICE DO NOT CROSS POLICE DO NOT CROSS SUSPECTED Foul Play. FEATURING: Re-Open Your Mind 95 - Total Control (Origin Unknown Remix) Ignorance - Artificial Intelligence - Strung Out - Nightmoves Cuttin' Loose (Remix) - The Stepper (Remix) Being With You (Hopa & Bones Remix) Bonus Tracks On CD & Cassette: Music is The Key (Omni Trio Remix) Total Control (Original Mix) FPUPI Cat. No. ASHADOW 2 LP ASHADOW 2 CD ASHADOW 2 MC

voodoo magic London's most progressive breakbeat all-nighter Round : 12 Halloween Grand Prix Saturday 28th October 1995 4.00am (Sunday morning) until 12.00 Midday Randall DJ Ron Andy C DJ Hype Darren Jay LTJ Bukem MC Sive D, MC GQ & the return of the legendary MC Flux Equinox Leicester Square London Information Hotlines: 0171 351 6853 / 0181 953 £12.00 PLUS £1 booking fee more on the door MOVING SHADOW PRODUCTIONS MOVING SHADOW HOST GROUP HOLD Management & Advisory Service for Hotels, Licensed Tra TELEPHONE: 01249 72

KAOOS IBIZA DANCE JUMPING JACK FROST + RESIDENT DJ RICHARD ANDREWS + FOAM PARTY MARTES 11 JULIO / TUESDAY 11 JULY Jungle in Ibiza BY: MATT GALL This being my first trip to Ibiza, I wrongly assumed that, being "Clubland", there would be clubs to cater for all tastes in music. I couldn't have been more wrong! House was everywhere and you couldn't get away from it! As I had already made plans to stay all summer, I decided to commit suicide rather than spend three months without any jungle. It was then that I noticed a poster in a shop window boasting "JUMPING JACK FROST AT KAOOS"> I was saved. (Thank you God!). The event in question was the following Tuesday, only a few days away. I soon found out that Kaoos (a.k.a. The Star Club), was to be the only club with enough sense to realize that there were plenty of potential customers, begging for some drum and bass. (Big up, the Star Club!) They had booked one of three jungle D.J.s to do a two to three hour set, every other Tuesday, on rotation, over the course of the summer. I eagerly awaited Tuesday, and when it came I paid my bargain price entry fee of £7.50, and went inside to warm up for my first taste of jungle in sunny Ibiza. I was pleased to see a mature crowd of around five hundred hungry junglists lining the walls, nodding their heads, waiting for the man like the Jack Frost. It was obvious straight away that the place was full of drum and bass lovers, as there was no-one dancing to the house that was playing, but there were plenty of smiles as everyone was on the holiday buzz, and was ready for the "Foam and Water Party" that was due to start at the end of JJF's set. After making a few new friends, I found out that most of the crowd were from the South although every part of the country had a representative there. Jack Frost finally came on at 3 a.m. to a massive cheer from the crowd, and I eagerly awaited his first tune, lighter in hand! It was HOUSE! GUTTED! Now don't get me wrong, house is O.K., but it has it's place. EVERYWHERE ELSE ON THE F*@KING ISLAND!!!! But JJF (and the other D.J.s, I later found out), liked to warm up with an hour of their own housey tastes. After worrying slightly that I had wasted my money, and cursing Kaoos repeatedly, I was told that jungle would be played! Yipee! At last, at 3.45a.m. the house cut out, and an intelligent intro rumbled through the clubs ample sound system. I was in heaven, and the next one and a half hours of pure, undiluted jungle was music to my ears. JJF made at least three appearances over the summer, and did the business every time. His first set was very intelligent, and I think he had some reservations about playing a very hard set. No rewinds were given, but the masses were in good voice, and the "HEY, HEY!"'s were coming from all directions. Next time he came, the even bigger crowd managed to get two or three rewinds out of him, and he was joined by a surprise guest . . . M.C. 5-0! He really got the party going and even chatted over a bit of house! When Jack Frost made his last appearance, he didn't hold back, and really played a blinder. The weak looking walkways around the roof of the club were shaking uncontrollably, but the masses were loving it. (Big Up JJF & 5-0). The Godfather Grooverider played twice at Kaoos, and was, to put it bluntly, a F*@KING DUDE! As was Mr. Fabio, who only came once but probably played one of the best intelligent sets I have ever heard. All three of these D&B D.J.s deserve maximum respect for playing jungle on a house dominated island, and for understanding and playing for the crowd, and doing a bloody good job too, matey! All in all, though, Jack Frost, Rider, and Fabio (not forgetting 5-0), deserve a big pat on the back for making a few hundred people's holiday's, and well done to the Star Club for thinking of the punters. Must just give a quick shout to all the Tesco's crew, and the two sexiest junglettes I have ever been lucky enough to talk to, Louise and Kelly, see you on page three!!!!! THE SCENE MAGAZINE

DJ SWAN-E ON THE JUNGLE AND HARDSTEP TIP THIS COLUMN IS NOW CHANGING WITH 5 TOP JUNGLE & HARDSTEP DJ'S REVIEWING THEIR TOP 5 TUNES & OCCASIONALLY TELLING THE ODD JOKE AND ALSO THROWING IN THE ODD BIT OF GOSSIP. NOW OVER TO DJ SWAN-E FROM LUTON FOOTBALL CLUB. "Id just like to say Goodnight and thank you very much to the Scene for letting me do 5 reviews of my favourite tunes around at the moment. Trust Swan-E to review all the best Dub Plates (ED). into a kickin amen & jump up bassline that gives this track all in all a good round feel to it. A must for the Connesseiur. Chopsticks - Special K & Ruffcut - Dubplate Everywhere i go i drop this plate & it just simply mashes it up. Starting with the piano playin chopsticks it rolls into the beats & bass building up all the time, In comes the gun richochet's and finally the AMEN loop explodes with a big booming bass to mash up any dancefloor. Remember - Dr.S.Gachet - Dubplate A serious drum & bass track, with a nice build up to some floating chords and strings and a soothing vocal. Which then drops into some ruffage. With well chopped drum patterns & rumbling bassline's it makes this track definately one for the rollers. Just Express Yourself - Ray Keith - Dubplate Coming out on Ray's New label DREAD RECORDS. This track has been well put together it has the typical elements of ray's style in producing with the rollin beats & the big fat basslines. This track is wicked & believe you me this will cause a rumble in the jungle. Set Speed Remix - DJ SS - V Dubplate Yet again SS does another wicked remix. This time its London based V recordings. Still with the core of the original this has been Remixed well. With some deep filtered noises, excellent drum chops and a bassline to make you jump up this will surely do well. Hybrid - Ellis Dee + DJ Swan E - Collusion Dubplate. A track myself and ellis done. We crossed Intelligent with hardstep & come up with Hybrid. Swampy atmospheres, warming strings & some beautiful organ riffs that break DJ SWAN-E (Wella Wella) Signing Off... peace! look out for our next special guest on the Jungle & Hardstep tip, next month. If you would like to write to Swan-E you can do so by Addressing all mail to DJ Swan-E, P.O. Box 107, Camberley, Surrey GU15 4ZE. THE SCENE MAGAZINE

Moving Shadow Records present VOODOO MAGIC Review by: Angelique K & Amanda M As you all know, Moving Shadow Records are a very well known & respected label. Over the years they have produced some of the finest music around. Voodoo Magic sees the brains behind Moving Shadow Records putting their musical knowledge into organising a 1st class event at the Equinox venue in Leicester Square, London. To date they have held 11 events & they have all been a major success, unfortunately we missed the last event, so we made sure we didn't miss this Voodoo Magic! It was sure to be a storming night with the likes of Randall, Hype, Kenny Ken, Andy C, Doc Scott & the fabulous Fabio entertaining all of the masses of people gathered to attend this night of Voodoo Magic. We arrived to find the queue moving swiftly due to tight but polite security. After disposing of one's outer garments, we got inside the venue which can only be described as the most upmarket venue we've ever been to for this type of event. If you haven't been to the Equinox venue it is well worth checking out – untold stairs, balconies, chill out areas & plenty of seating which we thought was a very nice touch! It was now time to go to the dance floor to find Andy C tearin' up the dance with his selection of Hardstep Jungle, unfortunately we missed Doc Scott, who apparently played an equally good set. The arena was packed out by a crowd who were looking for a good night out & made sure they got it. In our opinion Fabio set the standard for the night with his smooth & clean mixed selection of innovative drum & bass & sophisticated underground dub plates. As things were hotting up on the dance floor we decided to go upstairs to the balcony, only to find it just as packed & high powered as the dancefloor, Kenny Ken & Hype followed, both kicking up a storm with their sets which were clearly appreciated by the crowd. The MCs of the night were GQ, Moose & Five-O, who joined the specialists of the night with their usual captivating jargon of lyrics. Randall completed the night keeping everyone on their toes 'til the very end. Overall the event was well organised & delivered everything 1st class – production, venue, lights, lazers, sound systems, DJs & MCs, which proves it is possible to put on a high quality event at a reasonable price. Keep up the good work Moving Shadow crew! Big shouts to Rob, Steve, Andrew & Caroline. VITAL STATISTICS Venue - 90% DJ's, MC's & Sound System - 100% Atmosphere & Crowd - 90% Lighting & Production - 90% Security - 85% OVERALL RATING 91% Excellent THE SCENE MAGAZINE

Donovan 'Bad-Boy' Smith Review By: Ade Gloucester born & bred DJ Donovan 'Bad-Boy' Smith has been on the scene for a number of years. Today we tracked him down at the Record basement in Reading for an exclusive interview. Scene: Where did the 'Bad-Boy' part of the name come from? Donovan: I used to be called 'Bassline', Donovan 'Bassline' Smith around the same time as Simon 'Bassline'. A lot of people used to get confused by us, they were not sure which one was playing, although we both had different first name's, they still could not tell the difference between me or Simon. Simon got a bit upset about it so I changed it. Scene: What is you full name and age? Donovan: It is Donovan Smith and my age I am not going to disclose. I am older than some and younger than others. Scene: Before you started DJing in the rave scene, what music where you playing? Donovan: Soul and Hip Hop when i was about fifteen years old. I actually started by playing Soul and Dance music, it then progressed into Hip Hop & then Acid. Scene: What was your previous occupation before becoming a full time DJ? Donovan: I was a painter and decorator. Scene: What made you want to become a DJ? Donovan: I was always into dance music. I used to be a dancer as well, I used to go to all the disco's dancing with a group. They were called 'Images'. Three of them are still dancing in London. One is with Starlight Express, one is with this group that was on TV the other day. Scene: How did you get into DJing? Donovan: I started collecting records, I just took it up from there, I like being in front of a crowd. I like being a DJ. My first big break was at Fantazia. That was at The Eclipse. After that they gave me more bookings. I was lucky to get in that quick due to the fact that Fantazia came from about ten miles from where I lived. Scene: What was you first inspirations in DJing? Donovan: I was resident DJ at The Brunel Rooms in Swindon, that was when Brunel had just started getting into hardcore with Carl Cox, Jack Frost, Brian G, all of them used to come down and play. I was resident, I used to warm up and played my little commercial set then they used to come on and play some serious beats. I liked that. I preferred the vibe to just playing commercial music. It started from there. I've known Brian G from my school days and he was always ahead of me. Scene: What does being a DJ involve? Donovan: Entertaining, at the end of the day. Keeping the floor happy, making sure that the punters are having a good time. I will not play for myself I will play for them. I also work here (The Record Basement in Reading), on a Monday (big up Lance, Phil, Tim and Lee), Wednesday night I play House and Garage at a wine bar in Gloucester, my home town. Thursday I play small clubs. The weekend starts there. The only days I have free are Sunday and Tuesday. Scene: Why do you think you have been successful as a DJ? Donovan: I do not just cater for one style of music, I try to play everything. if I am booked to play a certain type of music I will play it. I don't ever want to be typecast, I am not a Jungle DJ, a House DJ, I'm an entertaining DJ. I will play Happy, Garage, anything just as long as I entertain the crowd at the end of the day. Scene: Have you made any records to date? Donovan: Three with Basement Records, the third one has just been released, the previous two were with Jack Smooth 'The Rough With The Smooth Pt 1 & 2'. The new tune is called 'The water', it has a Loni Listensmith sample in it & its a drum and bass track. Scene: How much do you normally spend a week on records? Donovan: When I first started I used to spend about one hundred and twenty pounds a week, but nowadays I am getting a lot of music sent to me, so i only spend around forty pounds now. That is just on vinyl & dubplates. It varies depending on what I get thrown at me. The records I buy come from various places, Basement Records, Reading; Blackmarket, London; Unity Records, London; and Section 5 in London, but sometimes if I am up north then I will go to Formation Records.

Scene: How many plays on average do you get during a week? Donovan: It depends on the time of year. Now I average 4-6 plays, January to March gets really quiet, you are lucky to get 2-3 a weekend on a Friday and Saturday. Scene: How often have you played abroad? Donovan: I've played quite a bit. I've played Australia, Canada, Germany three times and I am back there twice in September, and I have played in France. The scene abroad is just like it was when I first started there. It was the same vibe then that is over there now. Scene: Do you have any favourite MC's? Donovan: My favourite MC I have got to say is GQ. The first time I actually worked with him was at World Dance and he made me sound like more than I actually was – a good MC can help a DJ's set a lot, and GQ compliments the music very well. Scene: What are your views on the scene at the moment? Donovan: It is too split, I would like it to be how it was before, where everybody's under one roof, and all the DJ's are catering for everybody who is there. I think it's going to stay split, I think they may make up a name for another type of music because techno is coming back into the Happy Hardcore. I reckon that may split off from the 4-Beat as well. Even 4-Beat is a daft name I don't like that name at all, they should have stuck with the 'Hardcore' name. Scene: What DJs inspired you at the start of your career? Donovan: Fabio tops the list. Carl Cox out of respect because he does not just stick to one sort of music and he has had the bottle to say that he is not doing any more Hardcore events, he's off to do his own thing and he is still successful, Randall – his mixing, I can't fault it, Brian G for getting me where I am now. Scene: What are your most favourite venues or clubs? Donovan: Lazerdrome, Milwaukees, I am playing at The Pleasure drome in Skegness soon, I've heard it is good. I like the vibe in Lazerdrome and I have to big up The Rhythm Station in Aldershot. 'One nation' is one of my favourite nights. it has been jammed everytime I've been there, and the people, the queue was still there until four o'clock in the morning. Scene: How would you compare the scene in the north to the south? Donovan: Deep question. Some places in the south and north you have dark people. The south is having it and I think they let their hair down a bit more. North is really getting into it but things have only just taken off up there really. The majority is House and Garage up there. Scene: Who are you favourite producers? Donovan: I have to say Roni Size and Krust. They are the one's who have been looking after me with all the upfront music. Scene: What has been the best experience of your career? Donovan: Fantazia at Donnington Park, I played a two o'clock set and my set was on the news. Scene: What has been your worst experience? Donovan: I was playing at 'Paddocks' in Holborn now called Leisure Lounge and somebody spiked my drink. I had to get my MC to play for the rest of my set. I just collapsed and I still had about 45 minutes left to play. I was in a room with 2 people chilling out and it seemed as if I were there with 10 it was total paranoia. Trips are bad. I think I know who it was, Chalky White get in touch, I have not seen you for ages. Scene: If anybody wants to book you, who do they contact? Donovan: Caroline at 'Unique Artists' (0171) 381 2098 or they can call Nicki or Tracy at 'Ton Promotions' or Tania at 'Formation Records'. Scene: Plans for the future? Donovan: Spend more time in the studio producing more records. Scene: Anything to add? Donovan: Yes, one thing I don't like in the scene with my name 'Bad Boy', some promoters tend to overlook me because they think I am going to bring the 'Bad Boy' images to their party, that's not right, and I don't think that is fair. I have been told that 'Universe' have not booked me because they reckon that I will bring the wrong element of people in, which is bullshit. the 'Bad Boy' means bad DJ not bad element. I would like to drop the 'Bad Boy' part soon and be just plain old Donovan from Gloucester (Fred West country). People should not just book me for Jungle, I play Hardcore, House and Garage, I'm not just a Jungle DJ. Shouts to: Phil, Lance, Timmy, Joe, Colin, Lee, Noel, everyone from Basement and Vinyl Distribution, Brian, Nigel, Charlie, Vikki, all from Roughneck. Unique Artist, all at Formation, all from Quest and Pandemonium, World Dance, all DJ's, F**king everyone. Scene Says: Did you know Donovan 'Bad Boy' Smith used to do circus acts, yes folks, amazing feats of DJ accomplishments. One New Years Eve at the Astoria, the DJ deck was on a crane – he don't remember what the party was called but it was a packed audience. The platform tilted while Donovan was playing causing him to slide, his records took flight and he kept on playing while hanging on with his finger tips – I know this is true cos I was there and I had no idea the entertainment would be so good. THE SCENE MAGAZINE