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I cursed even more under my breath as I looked at my watch. It read 21:40pm. I should have been there at 21:00. Yes, then. I was supposed to be there at the Prince Charles Cinema, London, at 21:00pm, to watch a show called "Maestro".

Maestro, is a fully feature documentary that, tells the story of how a group of people found refuge, and a call for life, outside the mainstream. What evolved was a scene that set the groundwork for what was to come in dance music culture world-wide. A film 4 years in the making. A rare insight into the underground world as it was.

What had caused the problem of me arriving so late, was because of the Central Line, Underground tube service was down. Coming from Ipswich, into this mess didn't help I can tell you.

During my journey I had already changed at Embankment Underground tube station, via a tedious, underground tube journey. I was now on a special bus service which in its self was already 10 minutes late. The bus seemed to be taking an age to get to its destination. Hampered by the many road works that were obstructing his journey.

Eventually after reaching another tube station, which allowed me to get onto the Circle and District line. It took me a futher 20 minutes, that finally allowed me to reach my Leicester Square, London destination. Yes that was my destination. Leicester Square.

When the tube train doors opened, I just dashed out. But was hampered by the huge crowds at the bottom of the escalators who also had the same idea. It was just a case of waiting, and praying until I arrived to the top of the escalator, and then making a bolt from there. Eventually reaching the top of the stairs. I tried to sprint along and past the mad, crushing crowds of Leicester square tube station. You had the old scenario of people asking for directions, tickets that wouldn't go into the machine just right, screaming kids who wouldn't do as they were told. You get the picture? I just wanted to get to this Movie.

Eventually, I managed to make my way through this over crowded tube station, only to be confronted by even bigger crowds out side the station. After about 100 sorries later, and many "no thanks", to all the peoples that were handing out flyers not just to clubs, but to the many Restaurants and Wine Bars around the area. My eyes rested upon a sign that brought a smile to my face.

The Prince Charles Cinema. It read in big, bold letters above the bright lights of the Cinema entrance doors. To make it even more plainer, there where posters standing all around the area, proclaiming that the film Maestro was being shown here!

"That's it Carl you made it", I said to myself with sweat pouring of my face.

I didn't waste any time. I just rushed through the doors. But there wasn't any one around. But after about 20 seconds, a young lady greeted me through one of the side entrance. She startled me.

"Is it nearly finished"? I asked concerningly.

"What's finished"? asked the girl, puzzled.

"Maestro, is it finished, or near the end of the film", I asked once more.

"No, we had to start the film late due to people having troubles getting here. It started about 15 minutes ago."

That brought a smile to my face I can tell you. Not too much damage had been done I thought.

"Where can I sit? I have tickets you know. Can I go upstairs"? I pointed to the ceiling.

"Just wait a minute. You will only be allowed to sit down stairs. Upstairs, is already full. I'm sorry. But there's no more seats up there. Just go through that doors in front of you, and take a sit there".

I thanked her quickly, and made my way through the doors that she had only a few moments pointed me towards.

It wasn't completely full in this area of the Cinema. There were still a few number of seats available. I got myself a good seat, and then just plonked myself down. Almost immediately, I was greeted by a number of dancers on the big screen. Many doing impossible dance moves. Either inside the club called the "Paradise Garage", Or Just outside the club. It made you want to get up, and see if you could do them yourself.

After about 5 minutes of exposure with the dancers. We were greeted to a number of interviews from former Paradise Garage devotees, that you used to go there religiously. They all wanted to say something all at once, until someone took order. A former lady (*Who's name I can't remember), Paradise Garage member, tried to describe what going within the "Garage" on Friday night. An what it meant for her. It looked like there were tears coming down from her face, as she tried to explain the splendour of it all.

During any particular week, during the middle of 1970's, within New York City, USA; many social groups never mixed at all. Blacks stayed with Blacks, Whites operated on the same level, Latinos followed suit, and of course gays stayed within their own communities.

However, when the Paradise Garage club opened up during the weekends. All those rivalries were put to one side. Everyone just wanted to hear the music, and be apart of the show being put together by the then resident DJ Larry Levan. This was where everyone could forget their troubles, or their 9 to fives just for this brief moment, and just dance their troubles away.

I loved this part of the film, because you seeing people who were just like you and me - who at the time of their youths (18, 19, on so on!) were trying to let "loose and experience" something that was never part of USA Culture before. A place where by a particular brand of dance music was there to be enjoyed for everyone. Not just by a particular race, even though the music originates from a black musical source.

Another part of the film I enjoyed was whenever DJ Nicky Siano, had a story to tell. He would put so much passion into telling you how it was. He mentioned quite a lot about a DJ calledDavid Mancuso. He was quite convinced on how Mancuso, bettered the music by his ideas and experiments, on how music should sound within a club environment. Other peoples also noted the importance of the Loft.

For instance, there's a lady within the film called,Maria who mentions that the Loft,"changed my life", or with Tony Humphries, who explains that, "The Loft made it to me first"; meaning that he changed his style of music because of David Mancuso, or somebody saying "it's the loft school of music.."

Another part of the film that I paid particular attention to was when a small feature was given to Richard Long and Alex Rosner. Both Sound Engineers that were to play a huge part in how sound rigs should be properly set up, and set out over a Disco hall for the general public, and of course the Dj.

Tom Moulton, was another interesting part of the documentary/show, as he explained how he managed to bring along the world's first commercial 12 inch single to the masses.

But as always, most of the show hinged on the impact that the club called the Paradise Garage had on the forthcoming House and Garage scene that we take for granted today.

Clubs like the Better Days, The Loft, The Gallery, Continental Baths, Zanzibar and The Warehouse were all given a continuos mentions throughout the film via countless DJ snippets. But one club that always stood out, and above these was always the Paradise Garage Club.

This is where everything came to place. The best Sound System, the best DJ in town, the best dancers, the most underground club in the city. The list goes on…

Funny how the world had taken note of Studio 54, when the real underground party was held at the Paradise Garage (Both residing within New York City, USA) at the time. Get my drift?

More interestingly than that, were the little anecdotes mentioned throughout the film. For instance I remember a little speech given by Frankie Knuckles, on how Dj Larry Levan changed his life and had given him a career in the process. Another part of the Show/ Documentary featured Little Louie Vega. He explained how the Paradise Garage had literally changed his life, and made decide there and then, that he wanted to become a DJ.

And lastly, it was good to see a old DJ friend of mine that featured in the film as well. DJ Cosmo (Colleen Murphy), from New York, Usa - with her headphones on, and doing what she does best. Djing. I couldn't believe that we once spun with together. Now she is on a major film!

Other Dj lumanieres such as Boyd Jarvis, Jellybean and Danny Tenaglia were also interviewed in the movie.

The film ended at around 11:30 time, and was given a small ripple of applause when it finished. After all the credits had come and gone from the film. The bright lights came on, and standing in front of us was the film director, Josell Ramos. He had came on stage to thank everyone for coming down and seeing the film.

He stated that if anyone had any questions that they would like to ask him about the film, he would be more then happy to help answer them. I get the feeling that he wished he hadn't asked that.

As for the next 20 minutes he was being bombarded by questions from interested filmgoers, to ex Dj's and journalists all trying to ask him questions. Soon as he finished one question there seems to be another one waiting for him around the corner.

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