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Inside the Cinema lobby, just outside the main film theatre which I had just been in. I was scanning my head around for a lady called Yolanda. She was the UK head for the smooth running of Maestro operations here in London, England. I have been in talking to her for about 6 months now. And I had been invited down here by her to see the film. I asked someone, anyone if they had heard of someone called Yolanda?

To my surprise, a man that I had asked at random to help me, pointed to my right. She was over there. Was that Yolande?

Yolande, was dressed in faded blue Jeans and light jacket that had a reptile design running through it. However, she had covered this over with a long, white coat that she was for that moment wearing. Added to that was her long striking, streaked, highlighted of hair of hers.

We were both happy to meet up which each other I can tell you. It had been 6 months of us talking on the phone, or e-mailing each other on a regular basis. Now we were meeting each other in the flesh for the very first time.

One thing I love about Yolande, is her voice. She has got a lovely North American sounding accent. I just love hearing her speak. I just shut up when she does decide to speak. I'm sure that she could make a lot of money with her voice in England for Radio Jingles etc, etc….

She was already with a party of people which I learnt included her husband, and other associates. We all chatted for about 10 minutes, then I was asked if I talked met up with Josell Ramos (The films Director/Producer). I said that I had seen him, but I wasn't able to get to him, as everyone wanted a "piece of the pie at the moment".

Gaia Somasca, his Public Relations Manager, was protecting him up to a point. As she pointed out to me that Josell had to do an on the spot interview within the Cinema. This was for a local radio station that had come along to see the film.

Gaia, was a tall, curvy, dyed red head, with an Italian/New York accent. She was pleasant enough though. Not pushy, but she told you that these interviews had to take place before any pictures could be taken. And that was that.

I paced around for about 20 minutes waiting for Josell and Gaiawho were upstairs giving the interview. Eventually, they came downstairs the flight of stairs, and were met by other peoples still wanting to talk to them about the film. But Gaia waved them to one side so that I was allowed to take shots of the Josell. I felt quite important at that moment in time.

After the photo shoot, and a few questions later.Yolande, suggested that all of us go for a quick drink just around the corner from the Cinema.

Within the next 10 minutes, I and all the other members of the Maestro Crew were ordering their drinks from a small, and overly packed area within this winebar. We were literally packed in like "sardines".

We got to find out about each other whilst we were here. Away from the other journalists, etc, who wanted to know more about the making of the film.

After about 30 minutes within this place, we gathered round, and it was decided that we should try and make our own ways to the Ministry of Sound - After party.

There were too many of us to go all together. So Yolanda, and her party decided to make their own way there themselves. Whilst I, and the main Maestro Crew, including Josell and Gaia, where to go in the other party.

We managed eventually to find a Cab driver that could hold 6 of us. Luckily for us. As I could envisage us the whole night trying to hail down a cab in this hectic area of London. As we were negotiating a price, on how much it was going to cost us to take us from Leicester Square, to the Elephant and Castle area within London with this Cab Driver.

A Traffic warden had some how, sneakily stolen up to the Cab, and written up a ticket, and placed it ever so quietly on the Cab Drivers windscreen. He then quickly trundled off into the night!

It was only when I had looked at his windscreen and noticed this, then I looked to my left, and saw this sneaky Traffic Warden in the distant, down the street, that it made any sense. I mentioned it to the Cab Driver, who wasn't best pleased.

A price was soon agreed for our journey, and very shortly we were heading off in the direction of the Elephant and Castle, and the Ministry of Sound.

Josell, as we were arguing a price, had managed to slip into a close by Pizza bar, and order a "take away pizza" for the journey. Whilst were we taking in the bright lights of the city, via the Taxi ride. We were all tucking into the delicious slices of a gooey pizza.

Outside the Ministry of Sound, crowds were already building up. However, we slipped to the right of the crowds, and onto to the VIP queuing side of the club. Josell uttered that we were the Maestro crew. But that didn't hold any weight with the "Minders" at the Ministry.

"Please just wait there, until we get this checked out", was the statement of a huge looking man, who looked like an East End of London, Gangster to be honest.

After about a 5-minute wait. A Greyish haired, Caucasian, middle-aged man came to the side of us, and stated.

"You're the Maestro Crew aren't you?", he asked in slightly posh accent.

"Yep we sure are", answered Josell

"Just follow me will you? Is that yours as well?

He pointed to the bag of posters that had also made the trip with us. The posters were of the film, Maestro. I managed to get in a few quick, photo shots of many members of the Maestro team before we hurried inside.

"You will need to get your hands marked, and everything before we can allow to go past our security. You okay with that?" he stated.

We all nodded. And with that we queued up. One after the other, we saw ourselves getting out hands marked up and everything. We were even given a marble to hold onto as we had to hand over this as well to get pass the main entrance doors of the club.

But before that could happen, we were led into another separate room of the club. Whilst here it looked as if we had entered the clubs main security room.

Stationed here we witnessed a male controller, who was monitoring the crowds outside that were quite a far distance away from the club. He was seated behind a special computer, with special computer software that enable him to highlight car numberplates, that were parked quite a distance away from the club.

The Greyish looking, Caucasian, middle aged man, came back into the room and ushered us out into a corridor, which planted us, just inside, the front main entrance of the club. Talk about secret corridors!

It was here that we were asked to given in our marbles, and also to show our hands to be checked under the Ultra violet light, to see those special markings which the pen had been used.

With that all over. We made our ways through the doors of the club. Boy it packed. Just gone 12 o'clock, and the bar area of the club was jammed.

Kelly Hughes - Press Officer at the Ministry of Sound, appeared from no where, and led us up the Steel Spiral staircase. This time we went over to other side along the top of the balcony.

The music that I was hearing was nice and groovy. And more importantly - Soulful. I looked down and it appeared that was Phil Asher in the DJ booth, thats if my eyes weren't deceiving me. And the track that he was playing was, "Searching" by Loni Clarke..on Strictly Rhythm records

"I've always liked that track", I said to myself.

"I will go and check later - if it is him" (Phil Asher)....I thought

For now, I was behind Kelly, and she was explaining the situation of this new VIP lounge.

"We decided that because of the nature of the night, and the many people that had applied for VIP passes for the film. We had to create a bigger VIP Lounge here at the Ministry of Sound. So we create this one…" Kelly explained.

We reached a part of the balcony which at this time was protected by a chubby gentleman decked out in the Ministry of Sound Uniform. He gestured for me to show my hand. He then brought out a small instrument that produced a harmless light. It would show up the pen markings made earlier by the staff below on your hand.

He eased the rope for me to go through, and then proceeded with the same ritual for the others. Easing myself around the glass front of the VIP room. I found that it was fully packed in here as well. The bar area was full. 3 people deep to be exact; and all the way down the length of the bar. And the bar staff behind it were working flat out.

The music that was being played here was similar to what was being "dropped in the bar area downstairs. At one stage it seemed that they were playing a lot of Gospel House - which is cool. I love Gospel House….

I'm sure the track that they were playing in the background was called, "Soul Heaven".. But I can't be sure of the artist's name. The song was truly appropriate for the moment. It was like we were in Heaven of some kind, and I didn't ever want it to stop. I was with the beautiful people. So many pretty girls. I must have fell into heaven that's all I can say.

Yolande, and her party turned up. Looking a bit flustered. But a big smile came to her face when she saw all of us again.

Most of us still had our coats about us. So we all put down our coats on this huge, circular sofa, that was in the centre of the room. We felt that no one would steal them form here. Plus there were 12 of us to protect them.

At last you could relax up to a point. The music was cool. The girls were dressed to kill, and the atmosphere was just right for fun. And better still. No attitudes.

Once couple that my eyes had clapped onto were trying to do a "mock fox trot dance". It got so amusing that it attracted quite a lot of people's attention. As they passed by me I tapped the man on the shoulder, and stated,

"That dance is so old, I'm going to ask you if I can step in, and ask her to dance?

With that he stopped in his tracks, and burst into laughter…

"The old boy, excuse me, dance routine hey"? he said still trying to control his laughing spate.

He immediately told the girl who he was dancing with, and what I had said to him, and she broke out into laughter as well.

I must admit everyone was in good spirits. I mean that some of the best looking girls in here were not "stuck up". Many that you managed to get to talk with, talked to you as if you were a "normal person". Which isn't normally the case!

Josell, and a few others, were the first to leave this area for downstairs. However, I wanted to stay in here just for a few moments more. I just wanted to take the sights just that little bit more. Whilst here, I noticed that the girls that were serving in the original VIP, were also serving behind the bar in this room.

One of these girls stretched over the bar, and gave me a hug as she recognised straight away, even though it was busy.

"You're the Camera man, from Ipswich, aren't you. Are you doing another interview or report"?

"Yeah.. You're right, I am. This time it's for film called Maestro film, and also for this after party that's held here".

I also found out that within this room, there was another room underneath, kitted out with a DJ, and his decks, playing a mixture of yester year Soul tracks. At one stage he was playing a Donald Byrd track, called "Love has come around", which brought back memories.

I decided that it was time to move on from the Vip area; and I had better make my way down stairs. I looked down from the balcony, and boy was it packed.

Once down there, I headed straight for the DJ booth. And yes, I was right. It was Phil Asher, in the DJ booth.

He was playing a peach of a track at this moment in time, which I could not make out because it was on a white label; and plus the track was revolving around on the deck far too fast for me to read the writing on the 12 inch vinyl.

Phil noticed that I was straining my neck to see what the track was. He then ushered me into the booth. I gestured to him are you sure? No words were spoken or exchanged, but he shook his head again, which meant - what are you waiting for?

We shook hands as soon I entered the booth. He came close and stated that the track was A Haughton, and the track was called "Lies"...which was about 4 months old.

He dropped another 2 tracks both by Todd Terry (New York City, Usa), which really did get people into a party spirit. But I can't remember the title of the tracks, that he told me about.

To me and many others - Phil Asher knew exactly what we wanted. He had us Under a Groove. He was playing a mixture from Groovy, Deep House to Gospel House. Everything he decided to paly seemed to turn to gold.

I stayed faithfully near to his DJ booth for a good 30 minutes, absorbing the atmosphere, and the beautiful people in front of me.

It was about this time that I noticed that this area was emptying slighty. Not much, but at least now you could move. Ah I should have known why. They had opened the Box area of the club, as its known here within the Ministry of Sound.

Yes, I was right. As I finally made it through the crowds wanting go in the same direction as me. Music caught my ears sounded even more "Funky" then within the BAR area, where DJ Phil Asher was just playing!

It was full in here. And from what I could see. Chrissy T, from Garage City fame, here in London was playing at this moment in time.

I could see Josell, and a few others from the Maestro Crew that I had come in with on the other side of the club. But it was so packed, and with all the frantic dancing going on all around you, and other similar things. I thought it best to gather ones bearings, and get to grips things with what was going on around me first.

Would you believe it, Chrissy T, was dropping in within his set the track called, "Soul Heaven" that I had only just heard upstairs in the VIP room. It sounded even better here, especially with the massive sound systems that had been installed in this part of the club.

The crowd was really going for this track, which felt strange for me. There were no booming, or gut wrenching bass lines as such in tow. Some were even singing to the chorus of the track. Ah yes…!!

I stayed within this room for about 40 minutes. As within that time I had a boogie, and took pictures of my surroundings. I manage somehow to bump into Kelly Hughes again, who seemed to be having a wail of a time. She's a real friendly person.

She knew so many people there that it was frightening. Every turn that she made she seemed to get into a conversation with someone else.!

The moments spent within this room for Chrissy T DJ set was chaotic, but yet at the same time, just what the Doctor ordered. Girls where either dancing in groups, or they dancing with their men. Whatever the combination. Dancing seemed to be the order of the day.

Once in a while when Chrissy T dropped a classic House track. The crowd would momentarily stop, cheer, and then go back again to dancing. Great atmosphere at this moment in time.

After about 40 minutes or so of listening to Chrissy set, I decided to go and check out the Bar area of the Ministry of Sound once more. If it was packed before, it was now it was now definitely rammed. Boy was it difficult to move around in this place.

I noticed that Phil Asher, had left the DJ Booth, and was replaced by the DJ known as Andy Ward. His was nodding his head to the rhythm of the beat, which he was throwing down for us.He Headphones on one his ears, and the other neatly thrown the side.

Many clubbers had now shaken of the inhibitions within this area completely, and were dancing freely. Many had smiles on their faces, or were playing pratical jokes on each other!

Girls within this area of the club were sometimes "backing into their men" and "dancing" with them in that way. This is without the men beckoning them onto themselves in the first place!

If any of you watched how Justin Timberlake recently danced with Kyle Minogue at the recent Brits Awards (February 2003) you will know what I mean! That style of dancing!!

What struck me about the place was that it was geared towards a more mature clubbing age. Yeah, they were people from the ages of 18 Years old in here. But in general, you are looking at peoples from 22/23 years onwards, which to me really meant for a good night out.

I managed to reach the bar area, of the DJ booth after about 7/8 minutes of wading my way through the crowds of this pulsating area. It took me a good couple of minutes to try and gain Andy's attention. He was in he mix you see? Eventually I got through.

"Hi.. It me Carl Brown, from Ipswich. I sent you a couple of e-mails about a month ago. About the last time I was up here. Do you remember"?

"Oh hi mate. Yeah, I remember. Good to see you"…replied Andy Ward.

"I just wondered, if you could play the track called, "Reach Out", by the Audio whores. Have you got it with you"? I asked.

"Damm. I forgot it. I left it at home. Sorry mate"…Andy replied apologetically.

He explained that he had to get back to his mix quickly, as the record that he was playing had nearly finished. I just nodded, and went back to dancing. A bit disappointed that he hadn't got the record. But his set was cool anyway. Nice and Soulful…

I stayed around this area for a good 30 minutes or so, taking in all the sights and scenes as Andy Ward, played his DJ set.

The bar staff hands seemed to have become a blur, as the bar area was at least 3 persons deep on waiting to get served. Orders were coming into thick and fast. Another sight that I managed to witness, was when a small circle had developed, and it appeared that 2 or 3 men where intent in showing off their latest dance moves.

On the small podium that had been set up by the club. It was now full of a group of scantily dressed girls, wriggling their assets for all to see.

People were constantly bumping into you now, mostly by accident I have to say. People want to get from this place to that place in a moment, abd that wasn't going to happen.

Men and Women here I noticed liked dressing in the latest Burberry garments caught my eye as well. One girl, I noticed was dressed head to foot in Burberry, including matching Hat and Hand bag!!

I noticed within in the DJ Booth, Andy Ward was now joined by other DJ looking, personnel. One of them I recognised. I'm sure it was one of the boys from Samba La Casa?

I hustled and bustled my through the crowds to get to the DJ booth once again within the Bar area of the Ministry. Yes I was right. It was once the boys from the Samba La Casa in the booth.

"Carl, How are you"?, replied Chris Allen with a smile on his face.

"I'm not too bad you know", Everyone's out tonight aren't they? I replied

"Well, its got to be done isn't?"…joked Chris

"Did you go and watch the film. You know Maestro? I asked"?

"Nah, wasn't invited. Was it good?, Chris questioned.

"Yeah you would have loved it". It goes deep way back as to why this scene came about", I replied.

After a few more moments of conversation with Chris, he then he stated that he had to go, but promised that he would be keeping in touch with me in the future.

I decided to nip up stairs if I could. As this crowd was"unreal". It was also to check if my coat was in the VIP Room!

It took me a good 10 minutes to get back up there. As people were either trying to get in the room, or trying to come out of it. There was only one route in or out of this place you see. Plus you had to get your hand checked if you wanted to go back into the VIP room. All this takes time. And made me frustrated, but eventually I got through.

Yes all the coats where there. All of them; and in the same place as where we had left them in the first place. In any case, Yolanda was still around with her party, or small group of friends.

I sat down with my Pepsi Cola drink I had just ordered, and simply just rested."Chill" is the correct for it these days isn't it? It was what I need at this time of the morning. I looked at my watch, and it read 02:30am.. And the place was rocking. I had to pace myself though if I was planning to stay to the end.

The music in here was more sedate. Deep House styled music pumped through the VIP lounges sound system, but it was no where as near as loud as in the Bar and box areas of the club. I found out by word of mouth that the dj that was playing at this present moment in time was Double Jay.

Most of the men in here wearing sporting wine glasses, or carrying around champagne bottles. And there was I with armed with my glass of Pepsi Cola!

Most of the girls in here were dressed snappily. They looked "hot" in fact! However, what you didn't know was whether or not, if they had a partner. Once or twice you thought of approaching them, but just as you thought on giving it a try, the invisible boyfriend appeared out of no where. Good job that I stayed put I say!

Kelly Hughes, popped her head around the area, and ventured in. With her being so popular, it took time, but eventually we met up and got to talking. She mentioned the fact that, was soon to playing to be DJ downstairs within the Box area of the club.

After about 1 hour or so in here just milling around here, and getting into small time/small talk with other peoples. I decided to go check out Mr.Danny Krivit myself,

As soon as made it through to this area of the club, I some how kind of guest that it would be him. The bald, or shaven headed DJ, stood firm at the helm of his DJ booth. No emotion whatsoever was upon his face from what I could see, as he looked out and down at us. He was there just to drop tunes for us. And boy did he drop tunes.

I wanted to get a picture of him, as best I could. I managed to climb up on a few podiums that were full of other dancers and just carried on as they weren't there. I managed to get a few snaps. But I wasn't satisfied.

I then tried from another angle, which was near around the back of his DJ booth, There I managed to snap away and gained a few more shots of the man in action.

I stopped in my tracks, when an almighty cheer went up for a track that he was bringing into his set. It was the classic "Club Lonely" by Little Louis, Chicago, USA, from all those years back. People were waving their hands in the air for this one. Or nodding their heads in approval to the beats.

It was many tracks like this that we were all treated to. Or it went along the path of him playing some of the sweetest, yet grooviest, deep house numbers that I had heard in long time within a "live DJ set".

I didn't want to leave, as you felt that he could come up with a better track that he was playing at the moment.

I must have stayed in that room for about 1 X Hour, or so…just grooving or nodding my head to the beat and groove of his set.

Eventually, I left for the bar area of the club again. Reaching there I noticed that that area had slightly reduced in numbers. And yes there was a change in DJ personal as well. But one that I didn't recognise.

The music that was being supplied to us club heads was very much in the like of Disco House. It made for a good and varied change in the nights proceedings.

Ijust milled around here for about 45 minutes or so, as I was watching some black guys "dropping foot" on the dance floor. They were applying "Jazz moves" (As we call it!) in time with the music; and they were good.

They had captured the most people's attention in fact. One the dancers used his handkerchief to wipe his brow, in some kind of mock gesture, just to show how easy he was finding to this style of House music.

I decided that was enough for me with regards to being on my feet all this time. Yes, I headed upstairs once more for the VIP balcony room. And yes I went through all the rules and regulations again of being allowed entrance to this area.

I spent my remaining time in here. Just ordering Pepsi Cola, after Pepsi Cola.The music was definitely more chilled in here. A less frantic pace. Just what was needed!

The DJ who was playing, and supplying us with the music at this moment in time. Dropped all those old Soul/ Rare Grooves numbers that got people in here singing the choruses too. Many of the people that were in here knew most of these songs their younger clubbing days during the middle to late 1980's.

For instance the Dj played "Body Fusion" by Starview. Remember that one? Many people just got up and grooved with their partners for this song alone. I was told that the Dj's name was Double Dee

I got into a few light conversations with people that wer stationed around here. Nothing serious, just polite conversations. But as it reached 7:00 am. I decided that it was time to leave, and get on that tube ride that would move me close as it could get to Liverpool Street. Then from Liverpool Street I had to take a bus journey to Gants Hill.

I decided to take one last look within the Box area where I thought that Danny Krivit had long gone by now. Well to my surprise the place was still reasonably packed, and he was still at the helm (Danny Krivit). I thought to myself, "These people love to party don't they?."

And with that I went out into the crisp, Sunday morning air of London, and made my way across to the Elephant and Castle tube station.

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.