Like some European city, Melbourne never lets the cool wintery months stop it from a good party. Especially if a world renowned and well-loved DJ, like John ‘00’ Fleming is in town!

Three of Melbourne’s best local crews, Sunset, Darkbeat and Interview, joined forces for one mega night of the J00F, presenting his J00F Editions night at the laneway hideaway, Roxanne Parlour. Supporting this night was a whole host of local trance and progressive DJs as well, making it one very pleasing line-up. Throw in the fact that J00F would be playing a mega four hour set and it was set to be a huge night.

It might sound clichéd, but John ‘00’ Fleming is an artist who needs no introduction. With a career spanning over 20 years, with a journey through the heydays of melodic uplifting trance to the deep proggy psy-trance that he now plays, John 00 Fleming has earned himself the respect of the scene – not only for his quality sound and music choices, but also for his attitude towards the scene.

His podcast Global Trance Grooves is a stellar example of his sound and his much-lauded 2010 BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix is definitely one to check out as well. No newcomer to down under, J00F is always welcomed to Melbourne and this intimate club show was sure to be a top night.

Upon arrival, unfortunately I missed local Darkbeat boys Rollin Connection on the decks, Dean Milson already working the crowd up with deep progressive house that was well suited to the main room and was a suitable way to kick off my evening in the wait until the main man hit the decks.

The front room was a tempo below the main room, allowing a peaceful space to gather your head or chat with a friend. I missed Jon Beta & Lister Cooray (but I have no doubt would have started off well), by the time I arrived Dave Juric was on the decks building his journey that was later seamlessly continued by Simon Murphy well into when J00F had started in the main room.

At 12.30am, J00F had entered the building and was on the decks. The crowd exploded with excitement and the crowd surged forward, hoping for a better glimpse of the main man. From here on end, he did not disappoint. If you want a full tracklisting of J00F’s set, head to the ITM forums but to sum it up as clearly as possible, it truly was a J00F Editions set – a resurrection of the old, the classic, the not forgotten and the tracks that J00F has been storming on his podcast, Global Trance Grooves.

Lost in the sounds and the tracks that I was excited to hear – such as tracks from his Unfold CD like Ticon’s Rip It Up and Perry O’Neil’s Bass Society, plus several tracks with Digital Blonde – the musical journey continued well into deep proggy, dirty, psytrance.

Obviously with many J00F devotees there, the crowd seemed to lap up his set and he was his usual upbeat self, ramping up the crowd and generally having a blast as well. It was a lot of fun.

The backroom didn’t get as much love as it should have, serving up a harder, more trance focused set with DJs such as Ahmet Atasever, Jordan de Graff and Algorithm, Chris Pana, and although I missed him, I believe that Psychoacoustic Vision and Harry Blotter each were well appreciated.

This gig pulled out lots of old school clubbers, forgoing the dress clothes for comfort with jeans, trainers and tees. Although no talcum powder surfaced, there was some damn good shuffling and dancing going on around the place, accompanied by smiling faces. All and all it was refreshing to be at a party that retained those old scene values, allowing you as a punter to embrace the music instead. To me, that’s just perfect.

Overall, this was a great night, J00F-ilicious in fact, and a great teaming of three solid underground crews. Thanks very much for the thoughtful decor and friendly staff at Roxanne Parlour – it helped make this a fun night!

All three crews have some great events coming up with Interview bringing back their Colour of Sound parties and the one I’m most excited about, Darkbeat’s Balance 018 Album Launch with Nick Warren and Luke Fair on Friday 9 September, which is certain to be a top night. But from these three crews, who knows what else summer will bring? All I can say is, BRING IT!