August 21st saw (relatively) new kids on the block Cassette Jam, launch their debut album, cleverly titled “Cassette Jam”, with a raucous party at the Big Chill House in London’s Kings Cross.
Two of the most exciting newcomers to explode onto the global dance scene this century, these boys know how to party and they didn’t disappoint, bringing with them a throng of DJ’s guaranteed to blow your socks off - it was clear there wasn’t going to be a dry brow in the house.
Free entry before 10pm meant that at 9pm the place is already jumping. Warming up the decks for the CJ boys, and the crowd, are the likes of The Loose Cannons, Disco of Doom and Tom Staar. The place is already throbbing with dirty house, electro and borderline techno beats and the main event aren’t even on for another two hours.
As the name suggests this place is dripping with uber cool décor, the kind of eclectic mix and match, old/new contradictions expected of North London, a la Brick Lane and Shoreditch, but slap bang in the middle of bustling, heady Kings Cross. Rustic wooden floors, homely photo walls and vintage arm chairs cleverly mixed with chic white tables and just the right amount of bright green and orange splashes. Being both dark and vibrant this place combines cosy secluded spots for an intimate conversation with bold brash colours and sleek modern finishes to bring in the coolest of customers, topped off with a shining white DJ booth for a truly hedonistic atmosphere.
Upstairs the moonlit terrace provided a whole other dimension. Damask fabrics and comfy day bed style chairs, covered by white canopies exude an almost Turkish ambience; a distinct contrast the 180 degree stunning views across central London.
Back downstairs and Cassette Jam are just beginning their live performance. Appearing as a band, the dynamic duo rocked the House with their unique and refreshing style of grimy, dirty, pumping bass heavy banging tunes. But the band persona wouldn’t be complete without the stunning live vocals courtesy of Si Martin. So hard to pick a favourite CJ track but the top three of the night had to be Never Going Home, Hey Homo and the awesome new single Speed of Light. London didn’t know what had hit it. The trademark Cassette Jam sound blasted through the House and spread though the bar like a heat wave. Goodness knows the place felt like it was in the middle of a heat wave, the only thing to spoil the night was the distinct lack of ventilation. The place was a total sweat box, but at least we were all in the same boat. Thank heavens for the terrace.
A hard act to follow but someone had to do it, and Doorly was the man for the job. Keeping up the Cassette Jam tempo is a difficult task but he nailed it. The place pulsated with awesome electro, techno, dubstep and DnB beats, not to mention a little bit of disco and I for one couldn’t keep my little feet still. And then came the finale and to be honest the highlight of the night (apart from the CJ live set of course), all of the DJs crammed in behind the decks going back to back with each other, awesome tune after awesome tune, it was like some kind of battle of the beats, a tune-off even – those guys were having as much fun as the crowd! Needless to say, the CJ boys certainly launched their self-titled album in style.
Cassette Jam are seriously hot property on the dance scene right now, not only playing gigs in the UK and Ibiza but preparing to host their own weekly event in Leeds, “Cassette Jam Presents…” featuring the likes of Audio Bullys, Utah Saints and Calvin Harris to name but a few. Catch them while you can..!
