Sounds On Sunday was in ultra-fine form last Sunday with Ministry of Sound Classics gracing The Greenwood Hotel. This beautiful sandstone church used to be a boys school back in the day and lucky for us, has now been transformed into a regular Sunday afternoon haunt for Sydney’s party people. Last Sunday was no exception and I would have to say was one of the best gig’s I have been to this year.

Ministry of Sound was started in 1992 by James Palumbo, Humphrey Waterhouse and DJ Justin Berkmann and I’m lucky enough to say I’ve actually been to Elephant and Castle, London and graced the original Ministry of Sound dance floor on more than one occasion. It was huge, and I I felt that I’d been somewhere pretty special when my UK club crawl had come to an end. This label has grown into a dance music phenomenon and any serious clubber would have a few if not more of their CDs in their collection. Funnily enough Ministry of Sound in Sydney never really took off. Gracing the main drag of The Cross, it closed not long after opening and I can remember walking past wondering why nobody was in there. Sydney’s clubbing scene did not really take off until the mid 90s and I think Ministry was a little too much for this city to handle at that time. Well, haven’t times changed…

Back to last Sunday, and the fact that it had stopped raining for the first time in a week had something to do with everyone’s mood and I could hear happy clubbers from around the corner when I strolled in at a leisurely 4pm. Paper lanterns and colored flags only added to the atmosphere and a massive SOS projection donned the Western wall for all to see. To my disappointment I only caught the last half hour of Shamus, an SOS resident. Bummer dude! I knew I should have arrived by 3pm. He really set the mood for the rest of the evening and I have to say I was a little gutted that I missed him in all his glory. No matter, looking at tonight’s line up there was no way I could have a bad time, as Ben Morris, Goodwill, John Course vs. Grant Smillie and Jonathan Wall were all there to take us all on a dance music journey to end all journeys.

Now I have been on the ‘scene’ – for want of a better term – for more years than I can remember (apparently I’ve had a good time though!) and I was really excited to hear some of the old tunes brought out from the darkness of time. Crystal Waters, Black Box, Inaya Day and even a shot of Pat Benatar moved through the airwaves during the course of the evening and I was surprised to see some of the party people new to the dance music arena were right into it. I kept the fact that I remember when most of these songs came out close to my chest and I threw my hands up in appreciation along with everyone else.

Moving to the Sweetchilli side room I was glad to hear Carlos Zarate pumping out the tunes, and I shot to the middle of the dance floor to carve it up with the best of them. The Old New Rave room was also in full swing also and Q45 had the crowd in the palm of his hands. I loved the red teddy bears hanging from the roof and their eye-patches were a nice touch. OK, so it was such a nice night I had trouble staying inside and by 7pm I had my possie in the corner of the courtyard and I wasn’t moving – except to shake my toosh of course. Goodwill was bringing out the best of them and his crowd was happy to show their appreciation as whistles and claps came over the decks to him. I have always liked Goodwill as a DJ. He understands a crowd and plays for them. It makes all the difference! You Make My World Go Round by Sandy B and Deep Dish belted through the speakers and brought back a stack of memories from Wild FM days. A rendition of Pump Up the Jam was next and the dancing crowd went ballistic! An oldie but a goodie.

I have to say however, that if there is a list of DJs that I would travel to the end of the earth for then John Course would be somewhere near the top of it. Anyone who has any sort of Ministry of Sound collection at home would at least have three of his funky house sessions. To me, the man can do no wrong. Team him up with Grant Smillie and I am in heaven. Tune after tune belted out and I was lost on a journey through dance music time for the next 2 hours. These guys have it down pat and I was sorry to see them end their session. So was the crowd however and screams of “more, more” came belting straight at them. Unfortunately, as we were told by the ever efficient MC, Mr. Course had to catch a plane so to make up for it, Jonathan Wall was next to grace the decks. OK I forgive you! Prodigy, Fat Boy Slim and Rage Against the Machine were on the list of tunes to keep us moving for the next hour and a half and we loved it! Needless to say we all strolled out at 11 wondering whether we really needed to extend the night with a trip into Kings Cross for the usual Sunday night party… No I don’t think so, this afternoon’s event would be savored at home with great memories and thoughts of what song reminded you of good times gone, or the people you’ve met along the way.

Well SOS, you have now set the bar. Summer is coming and last Sunday’s effort will be hard to top, I have to say. But I’m sure looking forward to seeing what you come up with next…