A year and a half ago, I went to a night called Clean and Serene. It was a Friday night at the Burdekin Hotel on Oxford St and was billed as FunkyChunkySexyHouse. Clean and Serene is known to many as a night of unpretentious ‘batty’ house presented by regulars Jackster, Tazman and Fabmacca, alongside various guest DJ’s and acts each month.

October’s Clean and Serene saw guests Rodd and Shane, of The Townhouse Boys fill the guest spot as celebrations began for the bucks weekend of Lord Michael of McGrath (Fabmacca) who is soon to be married. The Townhouse Boys started off the affair with a smooth, funky set that moved the crowd from their first drinks of the weekend to the beckoning dancefloor.

Friday’s crowd at the Burdekin wasn’t an ‘up for it, bangin’ lot’ like some that Clean and Serene have played host to before, however, the boys don’t limit themselves simply to getting your hands in the air like you just don’t care. Jackster moved behind the turntables to face a floor of people happy to have a few beers and a dance. Making use of decks and samplers, he kept a solid beat moving through as he explored the wonders of house music ranging from vocal ‘batty’ to deep house, a great smooth touch was the inclusion of ‘Understanding’ by Blakkat & the Barrio Bros. The highlight of Jackster’s set was when he dropped Martin Solveig’s ‘Rockin’ Music’, a track that he says will be heard right across the dancefloors of Sydney this summer. The highlight for this reviewer was not the track itself, but the shameless display of air guitar performed behind the decks by Jackster.

According to the set sheet, next up was The Lady Tazmina, and what a graceful figure she presented, although somewhat manly in appearance. Tazman’s sets have often tended towards a darker, more percussive feel but for this weekends celebrations it was all about the bounce. To this end Taz kept the beat moving while adding the chunk to the night. The dancefloor kept bopping throughout, and it is to be noted that ‘So Much Love to Give’ by DJ Falcon and Thomas Bangalter was cheekily dropped in, although this was well received with its familiar chorus joined in by all present.

Last to play was the man of the hour, the Lord of McGrath. The enthusiasm and energy Fabmacca shows behind the decks is coupled with his great track selection and mixing. It’s great to be jumping about and to see the DJ getting as much, if not more excitement from the tunes being played.

Next month sees the 2nd birthday of the party, and if you’re up for a night of FunkyChunkySexyHouse whatever the flavour then Clean and Serene is still the right address for you.