Thunder Picks #016

It's been a busy old week at Thunder Towers. We've been beavering away trying to secure some truly great DJs for our next few parties, the first of which you can read about below. I interviewed Roy Davis Junior for this esteemed publication, and he spilled the beans on his relationship with Peven Everett and told me exactly who 'Michael' is. Lovely guy too. Tonight I'll be DJing at TBC down at The Star of Bethnal Green and on Sunday you can catch me playing with former Thunder guest, Domenic Cappello and his long-time partner in crime, Harri, in the luxurious surroundings of the South Place Hotel's roof terrace. And the good news is I haven't sorted out any records just yet

Thunder with Rick Wilhite

We have been working on this for what seems like most of the year, so I'm genuinely excited to finally be able say Rick Wilhite from the 3 Chairs in Detroit is coming to play at Thunder. Arguably the most accomplished DJ in the 3 Chairs, Rick rarely plays in London, even more rarely does he play here on his own, and having the opportunity to hear him do his thing in the intimate environs of a 200 capacity venue like the Dance Tunnel is literally unheard of. Full details on tickets and stuff soon.

Farwell Ultragroove

One of Thunder's longest standing friends north of the border is Edinburgh DJ and Ultragroove resident, Gareth Sommerville. We've partied with him all around London and spent a particularly hazy time in Ibiza with him, where he played an absolutely fantastic set at one of the messiest after parties I've ever witnessed. He's a technically faultless DJ with truly diverse taste.

This weekend will be the last chance anyone has to hear Gareth play at Ultrargroove, because after 14 years and around 400 parties, at 3am on Sunday morning, the fat lady will finally sing. Well, it's more likely to be a German bloke playing a record than an actual fat lady singing, but Ultragroove is definitely calling it a day.  Supporting Gareth on the evening is some dude who calls himself Motor City Drum Ensemble, who was hand picked by gang from a list of former guest that include Kerri Chandler, Pepe Bradock, Ashley Beedle, Metro Area, Dennis Ferrer, Dixon, Derrick Carter, MCDE,  Todd Terje, King Britt, and Dimitri From Paris, so it's probably going to be quite good.

Gareth isn't retiring though, he'll still be DJing, putting on the occasional Truth party with Colin Cook – which is basically 4 hours Golden era New York house to a properly knowledgeable bunch of house heads young and old and next year will see him return to Ultragroove's former home, La belle, as both a DJ and promoter, which Gareth regards as , "the best club space Edinburgh has ever had".

Tickets are sold out but details are here if you want to try and blag it

New Sound Signature – Jay Daniel 'Scorpio Rising'

Theo Parrish has gone and done it again. Like Andrew Ashong, he's unearthed another unknown talent in Jay Daniel. Although I think Jay is from Detroit rather than Peckham. Still, his debut EP is excellent, driving analogue grooves and acidic basslines. I guess it should be though, because his mum is Naomi Daniel who released the Carl Craig produced 'Feel The Fire' EP on I Ner Zone in the 1990s (which also featured on the legendary Deep Dish album 'Penetrate Deeper' with the best remix they ever did) and a resident at Fundamentals alongside Kyle Hall. Big things will come from this boy.

From The Vaults – Ron Trent 'Paradise Regained'

This originally came out on Ron Trent's label Future Vision in 2009. I completely missed it because I had stopped listening to the labels output on the grounds it had become a bit too noodley for its own good. That was a mistake because this is classic Ron Trent in Prescription mode. It's almost trance like whilst being a million miles away from sounding like trance. Fans of 'Morning Factory' know will know what I mean.

I only really discovered it via an Aybee mix but fortunately, as prices had seemed to sky rocket on Discogs, Spain's Dubbyman has re-released it on his Deep Explorer label, backed with his own production 'Music Is Food (Tribute To Prescription)'. The pressing limited to 200 copies and it's sold most everywhere BUT Kristina Records in Dalston have a little batch, go get one while you can!

Party of the Week: Giant Thunder head South!

Giant is a new night from 'The Date' crew who have been producing some of London's finest parties at West London's stunning Loft Studios over the past 18 months. Giant will take place every two months at another special London venue, The Bussey Building in fast rising Peckham Rye. Similar formula to The Date, Giant will feature in two rooms of the world's finest exponents of house and disco.

So with that in mind, won't be surprised to hear (lol) that Thunder will be playing at the first party on Friday 4th October, alongside Jimpster and Stuart Patterson in the house room. The disco room will see Greg Wilson play a three hour set with support from Horse Meat Disco's very own Italian Stallion,  Severino, resident Tim Keenoy and Si Kurrage from long  running 7 inch only night Size Doesn't Matter.

The Giant crew will be installing their own sound system to make sure it really kicks and it'll crack on till 6am. Apparently there just a few 10 tickets left, which are available here or in person from The Gowlett, 62 Gowlett Rd, SE14 4HY.

Now, we just need to find our passports and we'll be ready to head across the river…

Miles 'RDJ' Simpson