Kelly Rounce reports from the March edition of Heads Up, featuring Sandy Rivera, Ben Westbeech and Aaron Ross...
I had the best intentions last week, but yet again the Defected pull was too strong (or I have no self-control, you decide). So despite having to rise on Friday morning for a foolishly early flight, I was still in the underground bar in the early hours wrestling with shots of Sambuca and dancing like tomorrow didn’t exist.
Defected’s radio show presenter and general soulful gent Aaron Ross kicked off the action. Aaron was the unadulterated party starter last night. Back in November he closed the monthly shindig and we were all still on the dance floor at 2am. I think he proved last night that whether he is getting us warmed up or cooling us down he always delivers the musical goods!
A very dapper Ben Westbeech followed Aaron and it felt like half of East London was crammed into the underground room. Ben launched into an impeccable set that included Falling (the Deetron acid dub is wicked and hasn’t left my iPod all week) and Summer’s Loss. Last night was the unofficial launch party for Ben’s new album There’s More To Life Than This which is about to be released on Strictly Rhythm – and judging by the buzz it has created (and the reaction last night) it is set to be an enormous hit.
Next up the legend that is Sandy Rivera aka Kings of Tomorrow. KOT’s Finally is in my opinion one of the finest house records ever produced. It spans a decade of my generation growing up and discovering house music and always evokes so many memories each time I hear those first few chords. By now we had just the right amount of Sambuca running through our veins to camp out in front of the decks and revel in Sandy’s set. One of my last clear memories of the evening is dancing rather enthusiastically to his brilliant new track 'Take me Back' which has summer anthem written all over it.
So that leaves me sitting here in an airport lounge writing this and listening to Defected Miami 2011 (thanks Greg ;-)) with a big smile on my face. Maybe (definitely) I'm still drunk. But even devoid of sleep, last night was more than worth the hangover that is sure to destroy me at 30,000 feet. Maybe I should just keep going - do you think they serve Sambuca on the plane...??
Words: Kelly Rounce
Check out all the photos from the night here.
