Tribu, deep down underground!

[tamarisk]

by Mauro Calleja

Felix the House cat

Friday, 27 August, 2004

August 15th marks quite an important date for the dance music fans locally nowadays. So that Sunday, late afternoon I found myself walking deep down in the quarry for Tribu, when I realised that for once it wasn't a pack of

sardines cause plenty of adequate space was available.

The picturesque venue was great; actually the best ever to happen, not only for a Tribu (as Laidback Luke pointed out enthusiastically) but also in the history of events here in Malta let alone my second ranked favourite place Manoel Island, for one of the Joy events.

The main portion of the quarry was dedicated to the house, EU Dutch Presidency and Techno areas cause the new talent and trance/ progressive didn't have that much impact on the people. It was actually the huge main

stage that attracted most of the people, where a natural massive split level had space not only for the podium and DJ space but also for a behind-the-scenes-area for VIPs.

Carl Cox blew up the main stage with a mostly varied approach to the techno regime but it was a sample of a rave anthem from T99 adapted in his set that cheered me up. Invigorating was also Junior B's warm up set, which as expected through experience adhered to the likes of everyone.

The vast fusion of vocals in Miss Roberta's house composed a mostly uplifting and cheerful atmosphere as everybody was waiting for the black cat to purr the decks. Nothing as expected cause it came to me that the first track was more adapted under electro area! I imagined the faces on the people in front of the techno room, as solid breakbeat percussion intro by Felix the house cat progressed into two alternative unexpected remix versions of Boys and Girls by Blur and Pink Floyd's The Wall… really awesome!

Approaching the techno area hosted by Fact was always pleasant with a line-up as gorgeous as Mike Wills, Richard Bartz and Terrence Fixmer put together. I enjoyed mostly Mike Wills who on DJ set picked up solid

grooves of minimality at its best. The use of 303s in some of the tracks wasn't the usual acid thing, capable to impress.

Well, it's an Exit year to tell you the truth and just as you read this review comes also Roger Sanchez back again in Malta for the second time next 8th September but don't forget another celebration of music by Exit will appear also this New Year's eve!

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