I like seeing acts at the Northcote Social Club: it’s got such a fun and friendly sort of feeling to it, as well as a smoker’s deck, which means you can still knock back a few drinks while having a cigarette. Yippee! I’m giving up soon I promise… I got there in time to watch the opening set of DJ Bacon, the icebreaker out thrown to what was still a very empty venue. But not letting it phase him, the professional that he is, Bacon came through with some funky ‘warm the place up’ kind of tunes. Much appreciated, the guy is born to work the wheels of steel, regardless of the situation.

Then it was time for Morganics: now this man redeems what little faith I have in the human race. A beautiful soul with a heart of gold, I have always liked his perspective on things ever since Meta Bass & Breath, and since then, having had the good luck of seeing him live on a few different occasions, I’ve even shared a microphone during a freestyle session on a few occasions. It gets hard to be objective sometimes when reviewing people who you adore so greatly, but even if I had never met the man, I would think he is an amazing entertainer and a great showman. His live shows are always a blast from start to finish: I have also seen his theatre pieces, and each moment is well thought out and effortlessly executed with pizzazz and flair. I have not yet listened to the new album, but look forward to doing so soon. He really is one of Australian hip hop’s finest representatives.

The depth of his passion and dedication toward hip hop, as a lifestyle and an art form, shines through in every aspect of his show. Morganics lives his dream, and makes dreams real for others, and his involvement and respect for indigenous Australians is an integral and inspirational part of his work. He stays true to what he believes and he gives back to the community by being, simply, himself. His album is titled, very aptly Hip Hop is My Passport and a truer statement has never been said, as hip hop is what is taking this man all over the world, as a stellar ambassador for our country.

After Morganics, Wasabi got up and joined Bacon for a scratch jam. I have watched them play together before and they have a great camaraderie and a massive amount of talent. Two of my favorite DJs around, together they rock it well and they always look like they’re having fun, which is good, but serious fun – cos they’re both seriously good!

Elf Tranzporter was also there to launch his Ethereal Lotus Fleet LP. Elf is backed up well, by Wasabi on the decks, Custom bringing percussion and Mr Savona on the keys, as well as the additional elements such as the double bass, and the special and talented guests he brings out, like the oh-so-lovely ethereal voice of Supina from Miso, and the soulful and absolutely awesome Vida Sunshyne. Personally, I enjoy Elf’s intelligent and thoughtful lyrics. I have been a longtime Combat Wombat fan, and think he works well in tightly knit groups: he is extremely talented and passionate person and his beat boxing and mc skills are top notch.

However, I can also see how he would not be everyone’s cup of tea, I must confess. Perhaps it is my prejudice against the accent, as I sometimes tend to tune out ever so slightly when he raps. I like it when he mixes it up with some more of the downtempo styles, which fits well to the reggae slant to a lot of his tracks where as the more super quick staccato rhymes. When listened to intently they’re generally quite insightful and full of meaning, but it is easy for some of that meaning to get a little lost in the delivery. I’m yet to listen to Ethereal Lotus Fleet, and am very intrigued to hear how it all comes together recorded: I think it would certainly bear several listens before it was properly understood.

It seems that after Elf’s set, the sound person either fell asleep or went home or something, so unfortunately there seemed to be some issues in getting the setup happening for Natty Sistren which was a shame, as I really enjoyed their set last time I caught them at the Laundry. But it was pretty close to closing time by this stage, and I had to go, all in all, a great evening of entertainment by some of my favorites.