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Summer is now, well and truly over -(*England). The nights, especially this particular Saturday night, saw it drawing in at around 7.45pm. Also, it was a bit nippy in the air, to say the least. However, I had decided that tonight I was heading out to London, from Ipswich, and onto the event known as "Garage City". One of the last, true bastions left, that caters for original Soulful, and Smooth sounding House sounds in London.

I decided to drive though. Train journeys are always more relaxing and less stressful, but the added bonus of having your car around, and leaving at whatever time you wanted swung it for me this time.

I was in a good mood. I was doing a comfortable 70mph, on a good stretch of road heading into London, on the A12. To be fair there wasn't that much traffic on the road. I had my Garage tapes with me, which were blaring away. But as soon as I reached the outskirts of the city. I stopped the tapes, and tried to tuned into any pirate. I was trying to catch the "pirates (Pirate Radio stations)" on the cars' radio system. I was in luck, as soon as reached 92.3 fm, I was locked into a USA/UK Garage styled pirate radio station. Wicked!. I can't remember the name of the station, but it sounded all good to me...

It wasn't too long before I reached, Gants Hill Car park, and Underground tube station. Yes, I wanted to be free from worry tonight. I didn't want my car clamped, if I parked in the wrong spot within the centre of London. Its not fun coming back to your car, and having to pay £80.00 (*English pounds) minimum to have it released back to you.

The Underground tube journey from Gants Hill to Leicester Square - London took around 55 minutes. Most of the people that clambering on or off the train, were dressed to kill and looked like they wanted fun. They were going out to party like me. Some of the girls, well…..

Eventually after reaching my destination, and clambering up the steps from the tube station. I was greeted by the general hustle and bustle of the place (*Leceister Square).

It was as busy by day, as it seemed even busier by night. Eventually, after much worry if I was going the right way, I found the club. I had spent at least 15 minutes walking totally in the total wrong direction.

I was to meet up to a semi - long queue at Bar Rhumba/Garage City event.There was of course the customary Bouncer or Club Minder at the helm. Who was just BIG. There are no other words for it.

To the side of him was a lady, armed with a clipboard, that was answering questions to eager punters or ravers who claimed that they were on the clubs "Guest List".

"What's your name again?" I over heard her say to one punter, who had around him 4 other people.

"Move to that side please. Look, ladies move to the right side of the queue will you please", bellowed the bouncer, in a deep gruff London accent.

I positioned myself to the queue in which certain "punters, or clubbers", who claimed that they were supposed to be on the clubs guest list for that night.

"What's your name?". .asked the clipboard lady.

I was startled, because I haven't been watching the queues disappear in front of me.

"Yeah, ...oh my name is Carl Brown, from Ipswich. I should be on Jodie guest list for tonight?"

"Hmmm.. I can't see you there? Are you sure you're on her list." She asked.

I explained to her that I was on Jodie guest list, with regards to doing a club report on Garage City for the website. It had all been agreed I explained.

The lady went away for a few moments to a man who was standing just inside the club from what I could see. They seemed to be nodding their heads a lot though.

See came out a few moments later, and added coldy..

"Could you please move to one side. The boss is deciding on what we should do here. You're not on the list you see. Maybe she has forgotten to put you down on it! But you're not on there. Please let me clear this queue behind you, and I will go and have another word with them for you".

I didn't have a leg to stand on. Part of me wanted to explode. I could have argued the point, and made the situation even worse. But I decided to hang in there, and wait my turn. Eventually, after a 20-minute wait. She approached me again.

"Well, you're definitely not on there. But I will go and see him again." She said plainly.

She could do that now as the queue had dwindled done to nothing in front of me. However, on the other side of the "fence". When it came to queuing up to get into Garage City, there where a few people/s that were now really getting impatient.

However, they were quickly kept in check by this "Beast of a Man", who occasionally went out and made "spot checks" on the ever growing queue. It was heading down the length of the street to be fair.

During his "spot checks" of the queue, he told some straight away that they would not be coming in tonight because of their dress sense. Some argued their cases. But not for long from what I could see.

The Clipboard lady came back to me, and ushered me forward into the club. Without even saying anything to me.

I was met by a receptionist who claimed to be the sister of Bobbi and Steve. She wanted to "meet me", and ask a few questions at the same time. This amounted to what I was going to write about, and take pictures of, if I got in.

I explained to her that I would be doing a simple club review. Nothing fancy. And would be taking shots of the crowd, and the DJs in action.

This seemed to satisfy here. I even managed to get a few shots of her and a couple of dancers who came to greet her from down stairs to her desk.

Taking my time walking down the steps. It was a steep decline to say the least. I got my first glimpse of the club. From what I could gather it seemed to be a place that was geared towards the older clubber. Don't get me wrong I saw enough young clubbers milling about. But the majority of the clubbers there ranged from 25 years old and onwards…

The club was packed already. I got pushed and shoved a bit, as I was trying to take in the sights that were happening in front of me, and not paying attention to clubbers trying to get the bar, or to their other club mates. Or even to the "cloakroom"which was behind me, but I hadn't noticed at the time..

There was even one lady strapped, or wrapped with bottles of spirit styled drinks, and various sizes of glasses around her body. She was wondering around within the night-club try to see if anyone would buy from her. She looked "nice", I have to say. Very Nice.

The music at this time of the night was very much House music, that was influenced heavily by Jazz. The dance floor was already fast and furious. And I wondered how I was going to make to the other end of the club to see the Dj's more closely in action.

I looked at the flyer that I was given to earlier outside, and noticed that it was just a normal resident's night. No one special had been booked. Not even Bobbi and Steve, and Chrissy T were here tonight. Thats strange!! At this point I decided to go and get myself a glass of Pepsi cola. Nothing else. I just wanted to take the edge of my throat that's all.

After waiting for 10 minutes to get served. I decided to take a few shots of the club to try and capture the electricity of the place. Clubbers here ranged from those in sharply cut suits, to people in designer styled jeans. All types of peoples of different colours and creeds of peoples were getting down, and locked into the present Dj's set of Jazzier sounds within House music.

There was an Asian group of girls on the dancefloor that had attracted the attention of a group of men who seemed to be making their life difficult. The girls seemed to be coping well enough though by giving them glaring looks, or moved to one side as they tried to move in. I could see one of the bouncers ready to step in at any time if this continued.

Another group of girls were laughing at a sole male dancer who wasn't keeping with time to the music. He seemed to be dancing to Punk Rock music rather then Garage and House!!

Another group. This time consisting of men and women, cheered loudly as one member of their group dropped about 3 glasses of drinks that he had tried to bring over to them. The person that had dropped the glasses hung his head in "Mock Shame". And held up his hands to acknowledge the ridicule…

Within 10 minutes a Garage City Bar attendent was out armed with Broom and dustpan, sweeping up his acccident.

The music within the club however, seemed to be moving away from its Jazz vibe of about 45 minutes ago. It was getting more and more progressively funkier as the night progressed. I eventually made it onto the small stage area, near to the front of the club. Where behind that, was a wall whereby the Dj's who could be seen were laying down their craft.

Here on this small stage were the best dancers in the club. Spins, shuffles, complex foot movements, etc it didn't seem to matter to them. No, they weren't special club dancers as well. Just normal day to day punters. But boy could they move!!

One track that got my juices going was "Photographs" by Jodie Watley. I think it was remixed by Phil Asher from England. It rocked me, and others that were close by. Some were even singing along to the lyrics. He also dropped a classic from Kerri Chandler, Usa, known as "Simmer Down".. A soon as I heard the opening bars of that tune. I rushed over to the dj booth to confirm that it was this. The Dj wasn't agitated at all as I ask him if this was so. Casually showed me the record sleeve to confirm my suspicions.

Soon I was looking over the wall most of the time at the DJ. He was playing a lot of white labels so I couldn't get to make out what they where. He was in my opinion playing the best Dj Set of the whole night so far. I kept asking what this, and what was that that he had just dropped within his set. He was playing a more far funkier set of tunes, instead of full on…. .Soulful House tracks..Then the others!!

Everybody was dancing and grooving within this period of time (between 01.00 hours and 02.00 hours in the early hours of Sunday morning) due to the excellant music that was beoing dropped. Everyone was moving. And no Mc insight rabbitting on. Just tunes!

One of the dj's of Garage City that had completed his DJ set earlier on, was now part of the crowd. He was partying hard with the rest of us. Even he could move his butt from what I could see!

Many of the girls/ladies within the club that had tried to keep a firm distance away from the lecherous men a couple of hours ago, had succumbed to their charms, and we enjoying the closeness of each other dancing abilities. Let's put it that way.

Everyone was smiling from what I could. I could feel no bad vibes around. Except for a few that were just standing there, and taking it all in. Or were they trying to be too Cool. If you know what I mean? They were not dancing or anything.

I decided I wanted to slow down a bit, and made my way to the back to the end of the club where it was a bit more relaxed. You had a chance of getting seat here. I managed to get myself another drink. And yes, it was Pepsi cola. I couldn't get drunk even in the slightest. I had that drive back to Ipswich tonight ahead of me.

Even here in this section of the club, people were still grooving. But not on the scale as to the front end of the main dance floor ahead of us.

Couples that were seated. Or it seemed as if they couples, were either talking, and looking all romantic at each other at the same time. A group of girls were giggling to each other in another set of seat 2 rows in front of me. A few men , were looking over at the girls that were giggling with desire in their eyes..

Even over here you weren't out of it musically, so to speak. This was because the speakers where nicely situated all around the club. So that you could always be in touch with what the dj/s were playing out onto to the main dance floor.

I managed to get into a conversation with a well dressded lady, who explained that she was with a group of about 5 girls. All of them from London. She explained that she doesn't make a habit of coming out all the time, but when she did they headed for this event. They liked the smooth grooves in which the club had championed for such a long time. There were out clubbing on a regular basis when the older styles of Garage music was the rage here in London!!

She was quite funny to be honest. She went on to tell me a little more tales of her younger clubbing experiences in London.

I decided to call it a day at around 05:00am in the morning, as the club revellers were already being to dwindle away. Garage city is an event I will always pencil in within my going out book. The music was first class. And it was a joy to be in an event away from MC'c crowing their lyrics at you all the time. There are times when you just want to hear the tunes you know.

As I reached outside, well wrapped up, nice and snugg in my coat. I wished I could have stayed the night here in London. Then take on the drive back to Ipswich, during the middle of the next day. But we can't all afford such luxuries I sighed. Back to Ipswich, I'm afraid. Now where is Bond Street? I can catch an all night Bus from there, to Leytonstone… even better to Gants Hill??

This is copyrighted. If you would like to use the text or any of the images please contact Mr.Carl Brown(Ipswich, England)to do so.