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A Review: LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad - Toronto - January 13, 2006
by Understated |
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 Understated - at 4:36 pm on Monday January 16‚ 2006 |
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LTJ BUKEM AND MC CONRAD - FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2006 - TORONTO
It's been 6 years since LTJ Bukem touched down in Toronto, so the build up and anticipation for his return was huge and full of hype. LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad are known for their Logical Progression mixes back from 1995. Smooth atmospheric and jazzy drum'n'bass sounds along with flowing melodic MC'ing are what defined their unique style.
All I kept thinking the day of the party was, "FINALLY... BUKEM HAS RETURNED!"
The party was thrown by Gamma Ray and Theory at the Orange Room (Guvernment) for $20 ($15 reduced guestlist). And for only a few bucks more than the price of a movie and probably cheaper than what people would pay to see him at his resident club in London, $15 was really nice. The venue had a capacity of about 600-700 people. I knew it was gonna be rammed and I even expected that the party, as a party, wasn't going to be that great. I simply wanted to pay my respects to Bukem.
This night turned out to be FUCKING AWESOME. Ran into so many people I knew. All of the oldschool heads were definitely coming out of the woodwork for this one! Every line coming out of their mouths went along the lines of, "I don't even party much anymore but I HAD to come out for this one!"
Chase and Frankie Gunns were on the decks when I arrived and they were totally warming the crowd up with some a nice variety of intelligent/liquid dnb sounds and smooth mixes. They created an awesome vibe and ended off their set with a remix of Wonderwall. What a nice touch! Up next was the promoter and DJ, Wizard, and I must say that his set bored the hell out the crowd and was all over the place. As a DJ opening for Bukem, he did a pretty weak job and played some dark and heavy tracks. He even ended his set with a mash-up amen tune that totally didn't go over well as a warmup for Bukem. Chase and Guns totally should've played before Bukem!
Nearing the end of Wizard's set I emptied my bladder and then claimed a spot right in front of the DJ booth. I know people complained of overcrowding, and yes the place was packed, but it was surprisingly very breathable right up at the front and to the right of the DJ booth. This is where I'd spend most of my night!
I got to pat the backs of Bukem and Conrad as they waded through the crowd and into the DJ booth... As soon as Bukem was seen preparing to go on, the crowd started chanting, "LTJ! LTJ! LTJ!" The vibe was intense! 
Bukem on the decks!
I didn't expect to hear the same atmospheric dnb that Bukem was known for, nor was I very familiar with the progression in his style over the past 10 years, but it really didn't matter because he did not disappoint! Bukem started off nice and easy with MC Conrad warming up the crowd on the mic. People were still chanting, "LTJ! LTJ!" the atmosphere was electric! Although starting off nice and easy, Bukem proceeded to lay down a heavier set than I expected. But none of that hard overplayed jump-up style of jungle. He stayed true to form and laid down some smooth melodic intelligent drumnbass with nice rolling basslines... all with an atmospheric touch of course! As expected, Conrad's vocals weaved in and out of Bukem's tracks beautifully and was definitely a highlight of the night.
MC Conrad on the mic!
Flawless mixing, track after track, Bukem totally took the room to another level. And the crowd was totally eating it up. He had me on the dancefloor from start to finish! It was awesome to see all the old school dancers totally busting out. Nearing the end of his set, Bukem dropped one of his oldschool tracks from his Logical Progression mixes... it was pretty cool to finally hear him drop one of his infamous tracks!
So finally... FINALLY, I got to see Bukem and Conrad! Overall I had a really good time, Bukem and Conrad totally met my expectations. The Orange room was packed, but it wasn't unbearable. The vibe was amazing. And everyone I talked to were chill and out to have a good time.
Mad respect to the promoters who brought Bukem down for only $20!
And as everyone was dying to know, I asked Conrad after the show if they still worked with the same manager Tony. [Tony is seen in Bukem's 2000 documentary who seemed like the biggest dickhead.]
As Conrad lit his roach he replied: "Ya man!"
And that's where I shut my mouth. 
VIDEO:
Here's some ghetto video I took of the opening few minutes of Bukem's triumphant return to Toronto!
Video 1 <-- Literally the opening 3 min of his set!
Video 2
Video 3
LIVE SETS FROM THE NIGHT:
Chase and Frankie Gunns live set - DOWNLOAD HERE <-- hopefully coming soon pending permission!
Wizard's Live set - DOWNLOAD HERE <-- from the promoter and DJ who tried to show up Bukem. If anything download this mix to hear the Wonderwall remix from the end of Chase and Guns' set.
LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad - NO PERMISSION TO RECORD SET. Read: Their manager Tony's a dickhead. (Although I bet it WAS recorded and if it is I BET I CAN GET MY HANDS ON IT. Not anytime soon though)
Promoters: gammarayentertainment.com
LTJ Bukem's website: goodlooking.org (seems to be down but this is all i got)
P.S. Nothing personal to Wizard... his set was just a little boring.
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Edited by Understated on January 16‚ 2006 at 4:06 pm |
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Understated - at 4:43 pm on Monday January 16‚ 2006 |
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Good pictures of the night from torontojungle.com will be posted here when they're published.
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Edited by Understated on January 16‚ 2006 at 4:02 pm |
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Universal Sea - at 3:40 pm on Thursday January 19‚ 2006 |
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 wicked review and awesome video capturing the vibe! I can use this as my taste for the printed rumour that LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad are expected in Melbourne months from now. Hopefully without shit Wizard sets.
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Understated - at 4:11 pm on Thursday January 19‚ 2006 |
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wizard has held off from posting chase and gunns' set.. prolly cause he knows that they stole the show...
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Universal Sea - at 8:27 pm on Sunday January 14‚ 2007 |
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Note that last year was also celebrating "13 years of Good Looking". Which was 14 at the time I believe.
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