DANCEFLOOR 75
IT’S A TORONTO THING...
DJ Maniak with MC Zee
The UK’s first cousin in all things drum & had a much earlier start than the rest of the UK would do well to take note of whether it be d&b, techno, house or
bass, Toronto has been doing the high- the country,” says Marcus Visionary. “We – with banners, special clothing lines and trance etc. It’s unreal!
calibre jungle business for as long as had a thriving warehouse scene in the passionate group identities very much in
London itself, and remains the favourite late ’80s and early ’90s, which evolved evidence. “There is a drum & bass event “The scene in other Canadian cities is
destination for countless A-listers. Kmag quickly into the rave scene in 1990-91 going on almost every day of the week, just not as big as Toronto’s,” Frequency
makes a memorable journey to the through parties such as Exodus, Sykosis, with each crew varying styles and genres continues. “Vancouver has a good
epicentre of Canadian d&b – and it Chemistry, Nitrous, Pleasure Force, De- of drum & bass,” says veteran MC Lucky thing going on, as well as Montreal, but
certainly won’t be the last.... lirium, Happy Face, Phase, Dose, Syrous, General. “We cater to every massive – no Toronto is the main place to be! Theory
Infinity, Life Force and more. Attendance matter what your preference!” promotions, Destiny, Future Sound and
Kmag is a good few hundred miles from was through the roof at raves – it was Empire productions are throwing some
home, the temperature is minus 10, a not uncommon for events to pack in For a scene with such relentless energy, of the biggest parties we’ve ever seen
blizzard is blowing, and the steps of a 13,000 people on a regular basis.” cooperation is key. “This year, promot- right now – it’s runnin’!”
dark, low-slung bass-pit of a club are a ers are actually trying to work together
slippery, glistening menace. It’s utterly, Sound familiar? So will this: a police-en- and not run events on the same night As the carnage unfolding around Kmag
utterly brilliant. Because this is Toronto, forced transition to nightclubs by 1999 – there is a lot of co-hosting happening,” at club Blak draws to a healthy 6am
it’s Friday night, and the very first tune almost shut the scene down completely, says promoter and DJ Yoshimojo. “It’s close, there’s no doubting that Toronto is
wafting unmistakably up the staircase but a few years on and Canada’s largest a good look. Our network of DJs is just healthier than ever – and record boxes
from the bowels below is ‘Drop Bear’ city is purring once again. Slick new enormous – sometimes it feels as if we around the world should provide ample
by Die. It’s a smack-you-between-the- superclubs like Circa and many smaller, have more DJs than punters! I can still evidence as 2008 rolls along, with Mar-
eyes-this-is-why-I-love-drum-and-bass intimate venues cater to all genres of remember my first big event as a raver, cus, Gremlinz, Mutt, Scone Boy, Capital J,
moment. Welcome to Canada. musical tastes – though it seems the at the Docks in 2000. Kenny Ken and Stranjah and NC-17 being joined by Uni-
age-old problem of dwindling d&b venues Fearless were in the main room playing cron, Low Profile, Dubcomm and Elijah to
The next few hours do not disappoint. It’s isn’t just a UK thing... “Venues for d&b jungle. You don’t forget an experience name but a few new stars. There’s never
business as usual at Blak, a cosy little events are becoming scarce, and this has like that. I’ve also been to WEMF for nine been a better time to book that flight...
affair downtown on Bathurst St, where thinned out promoters to an extent,” says straight years – it’s crazy!”
Kmag is booked to play alongside some Mr Brown, a legendary Toronto DJ who has Keep it Canadian:
of the Toronto scene’s founding fathers been plying his trade for over 18 years, “but ‘WEMF’ is the World Electronic Music www.torontojungle.com
and local heroes. Household names such this simply means that more attention is Festival, one of the biggest in the world, www.myspace.com/luckygeneral
as Marcus Visionary, John Rolodex and put into the overall vibe of the party. We and while most UK heads will have heard www.myspace.com/dj_mrbrown
Slip ‘n’ Slide (of Vinyl Syndicate fame) are have such a huge array of talent on show, countless tales about WMC in Miami, www.myspace.com/johnrolodexproductions
on the bill along with Everfresh and DJ and we recognise our locals as well as big Canada’s version is one rather sizeable www.myspace.com/yoshimojo
Yoshimojo, with mic duties being handled UK acts. Everything from sound to decor is secret that should be visited as soon as www.myspace.com/mcfrequency
with serious efficiency by the legendary considered with great care.” is possible. “Destiny promotions runs www.myspace.com/marcusvisionary
JD, MC Frequency, Lucky General, Caddy this jam,” says Toronto mic legend MC www.myspace.com/mcladnb
Cad and Kool FM’s young gun MC LA. The emergence of countless ‘sound crews’ Frequency. “It’s been going on for over a
– tight local promotion combos of MCs decade and people from all over Canada WORDS | Ewen Cook
Trust us – these boys know how to have and DJs – in Toronto and the surrounding and the US travel here for a three-day PHOTOGRAPHY | Eric Schoenfeld/ES Photogra-
a party. “Toronto has always been the areas over the last decade has brought party. Most of the biggest players in phy (info@esphotography.net)
centre for Canadian d&b because we vibrant colour to the scene, in a way that the game have graced the WEMF stage,
SP & Friction tear up The Guv-
K74-81_DF2.indd 75 24/4/08 12:50:06
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