On Wednesday afternoon I was like a bloodhound with one too many scents. What did Saturday night hold for me? After much deliberation I decided that Boozoo Bajou and Steve Spacek at the Basement was the event which most suited my taste. The promoters, the venue, the style of music and the crowd I was expecting had me thinking that not only would I enjoy the night, but I would probably fit in and maybe even engage in some banter then went beyond nightclub clichés 101.

Perhaps I am slowly becoming a jaded old tart, but Future Classic are kind enough to nurture that. Whilst the gigs they put on cannot be identified by one particular genre, there is the common theme of going outside boundaries whilst keeping in strong touch with tradition. Whether it be larger events at the Gaelic Club or The Basement, or smaller nights on Sundays at The Loft, this premise is seamlessly transferred.

I am comfortable to admit that I was not overly familiar with Boozoo Bajou before I decided to embark on the review. However the moment I began my research and listened to some of the tracks, I was awed by their creative dexterity. Peter Heider and Florian Seyberth have been producing together since 1998. Their blending of electronic and roots (reggae, soul, jazz and blues) is unique and smooth. I was particularly endeared to the tracks featuring artists such as Tony Joe White and Mary J. Blige. The fact that only half the duo would be present (Florian Seyberth) was not a deterrent.

My arrival time at the Basement on Saturday was 10pm. It was quiet yet we still struggled to find somewhere to perch. Even so it was like a game of musical chairs.  To keep our position one of us was required to guard the fort at all times. My friend went to the bar, and came back with a bottle of wine: spending $30 on that was apparently more economical than going by the glass ($8.80). At this point Nathan McLay and Somatic were doing a very relaxed set, and people were slowly cruising in.

Steve Spacek came onstage briefly at 11 to politely inform the crowd that he was going to wait until it was a bit busier before he started. When he did start at 11.30 it was nowhere near capacity, but it was an unperturbed older crowd, which suited me fine. By older I am not inferring dentures and zimmer-frames – I simply suspect few of them had attended schoolies week in the last 5 years.

I was very curious as to how the “robotic futuristic hip-hop based soul” was going to come across. I was hoping my dancing style would finally have a place (some say I look like a preying mantis having a seizure, but I prefer a robotic and futuristic analogy). I need not have been worried. I could immediately see that we were in good hands with Steve Spacek.

As soon as he arrived on stage with Mark Pritchard (aka Troubleman aka one half of Global Communication), he asked everyone to “come in close I wanna see you”, and he had a voice like butter.  Being the reviewer, it was only natural that I had my friend mind the wine whilst I went and had a look. His music was a lot more down-tempo than I expected: I suppose the soul part took precedence in his performance. I had no problem with this, but I must admit that I did get a smidgen bored.

I missed the end of the set as I was in the back room, and even though there was still atmosphere, it was very different to the main room. When I went back to the, Boozoo Bajou had already started. Much of the set was reggae, which was to be expected. However I was stoked to hear Queen: “Another one bites the dust” and Marvin Gaye: “Sexual Healing” remixes. Later in the set Kye was on the mic which gave the set an extra element. All throughout the graphics were amazing, and I found myself taking a fair few pics.

Towards the end of the set I departed. It had been the perfect venue for the event, as it was intimate with good sound. It was also lovely to go home, having seen some interesting and enjoyable sets, and not worry about being too hungover the next day.