For those who do not know what the concept of “a weekender” is, it’s a British clubbing tradition that goes back to the roots of dance music in the 1970’sthat gave birth to the concept of the modern festival and influenced the soundscape that in many ways started the underground music culture that U.K has led the world with ever since. By using the defunct old holiday camps on the coastal shores (Southport, Skegness, Lowerstoft, Bognor Regis and many others) that were built before the second world war, they became perfect, if somewhat unorthodox locations to host a 24 hour party marathons. With basic but adequate on site accommodation, large function halls, bars and also usually slighty remote from residents, grannys in thick tights dance to Fred Astaire were replaced my sweaty, horny teenagers and the sounds of Tamla Motown & Stax.
In keeping with this tradition, Best Kept Secret is hosting its first weekender in Amsterdam at the wonderful Sugarfactory. Not quite the same as the traditional British ones in some country hide away, but trying to capture its essence and musical traditions that the original weekenders created over the last 30 years. Best Kept Secret is almost totally rooted in the “black music” that was the main ingredient of the weekenders. Funk, Soul, Jazz & Blues… except now we call them disco, house, broken beat, electro or future jazz. The ethics, energy and creativity is of the same quality, but the techniques and sound has evolved.
LINE UP:
THURSDAY 8TH JUNE 2006 – BeamLab gaat WILDVREEMD at the BEST KEPT SECRET WEEKENDER
AME (Sonar Kollektiv) – DJ SET
Frank Wiedemann and Kristian Beyer are from a tiny German town in the old West Germany, but making a big noise in the world of electronic and house music. Signed to Jazzanova’s Sonar Kollektiv imprint were they released their first and self titled album, there trademark has become deep & dark synthetic pastures, moody and emotional beats that join the jigsaw between Berlin, Detroit and Chicago via Lagos. Like the feeling you get when you enter a warm and cosy house after a long day in the cold, Ame titillate the senses that much of the electronic scene cannot reach.
Times: 23:00 – 05:00
Price: 8,99 € voorverkoop / 9,99 € aan de deur
Four Day Pass: 33 € (bij het AUB)
Weblinks:
www.sonarkollektiv.de
FRIDAY 9TH JUNE 2006 – DISCOCULT presents PEPE BRADDOCK at
the Best Kept Secret Weekender
PEPE BRADOCK (Atavisme / France) – DJ SET
This reclusive and demanded DJ and producer from Paris decided not to jump on the French bandwagon in the 90’s when the prototype-disko of Daft Punk, Bob Sinclair and Stardust were climbing from basement clubs to the top of the pop charts. He held back and did his own thing. That “thing” happened to be making some of the most inspiring and lush house records that had universal and timeless appeal, like “Burning”, “Life” & “Intrusion” not to mention his remixes for the likes of Blaze, Gotan Project, Cassius, Alex Gopher & Roy Ayers as well his consistent own imprint Atavisme. A rare visit to Dutch shores from the man behing amillion beats.
Time: 00:00 – 05:00
Price: 10 € voorverkoop / 12 € aan de deur
Four Day Pass: 33 € (from AUB)
Weblinks:
http://www.atavisme.com
http://www.myspace.com/atavisme
SATURDAY 10TH JUNE 2006 – BEST KEPT SECRET SPECIAL
FAT FREDDY’S DROP (LIVE)
Without major label budgets and marketing power – or even any special tastemaker championing their sound, Fat Freddy’s Drop have emerged in last 18 months to be one of the largest bands in world’s leftfield scene and primed and ready to shoot through the stratosphere at any given second. They are now officially the largest selling band in their native New Zealand (ever, of any artist!) with their dub and reggae inspired album “Based on a true Story” (also winning Album of the Year at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards). That buzz and excitement has spread quicker than bird flu as they have sold out the most prestigious venues across the world. If you don’t already know this band, then where have you been..?... you heard it here first
Weblink:
www.fatfreddysdrop.com
+
Antal (Rushhour / Kindred Spirits) – DJ SET
Rushhour and Kindred Spirits have been at the frontline of underground dance culture in Amsterdam and spreading the word about all the great Dutch talent on an international level. At the heart of it, lies the passion and knowledge of Antal, who we are very privileged to have join us at the Sugarfactory tonight. Local hero numero uno!
Nick Matthews (Best Kept Secret, London) – DJ SET
As head honcho for Best Kept Secret and founder of the company, Nick has become one of the power brokers in global underground music in only 4 years – getting his hands dirty and sitting on all sides of the negotiating table as a DJ, agent, promoter, manager and most importantly as a passionate music lover – Best Kept Secret has rapidly become known for representing the very best in broken beat, deep house, abstract hip hop as well as soul, funk and jazz legends from the past who still cut it in the 21st Century.
Weblinks:
www.bestkeptsecret.uk.com
www.samuari.fm/bestkeptsecret - Best Kept Secret Radio show
Time: 21:30 (band) 24:00 (DJ’s) – 05:00
Price: 13,50 € presale (band) / 15 € at the door (band, before
00:00) / 10 € at the door (after 00:00)
Four Day Pass: 33 € (from AUB)
SUNDAY 11TH JUNE 2006 – WICKEDJAZZSOUNDS (BEST KEPT SECRET WEEKENDER)
QUANTIC (Tru Thoughts) – DJ SET
With a babys face but man’s beard, Will Holland (a.k.a Quantic) entered the music world as a cut n paste master of Brighton, producing off the wall records with intelligent breaks and exploring the world of jazz and funk. His constant quality releases touched the right notes and helped make Tru Thoughts, the label he has always been loyal to, become one of the most respected indie’s in the U.K in recent years. The Quantic Soul Orchestra gave a modern glimpse in what the dusty funk and soul 7 inches of yesteryear would sound live. Alongside Mr Scruff, Keb Darge, DJ Shadow and Kenny Dope – he has amassed a valuable and interesting record collection and as he takes on the knowledgable Wicked Jazz Sounds audience, no doubt he will bring the rare quality gems that will have all the spotters reaching for the notebooks and hipsters reaching to the dancefloor.
Weblinks:
www.quantic.org
www.tru-thoughts.co.uk
+
NATHAN HAINES (on saxophone)
Another talent from New Zealand shores but moving to the U.K to really establish his career, The boundaries of funk, soul and jazz, Nathan has 4 solo albums under his belt (the last 2 of which were released on Chillifunk and produced by Phil Asher) as well as being the saxophonist of choice for the likes of Blur, Da Lata, Bugz in the Attic, Jon Cutler, Xpress2, Masters at Work as well as Marlena Shaw, who he collaborated with on the sexy “Squire for Hire”. Nathan will lend his hand to the night with some choice improvisations and interesting versions of his most famous tracks.
Weblinks:
www.nathanhaines.com
Time: 21:00 – 05:00
Price: 8,50 € presale / 8,50 € at the door
Four Day Pass: 33 € (from AUB)
About Best Kept Secret – Who or what the bloody hell is Best Kept Secret..?
Best Kept Secret is based in London and started 4 years ago. It has an office and 4 full time staff and works hard to promote good quality music and artists across the world. It does this by acting as booking agents for artists (over 50 artists are represented exclusively by Best Kept Secret), managing talent and helping them find record labels and ideas to promote themselves. It also sends its artists music to radio people, press people and dj’s across the world. We have a radio show on Samurai FM and we are constantly arranging events across the world to promote the concept and philosophy of Best Kept Secret and for the benefit of the family of artists that we represent.
What exactly is that philosophy..? – Think house parties, organic cooking, the naivety of being young, a brighter future and honesty. Think about music that has depth, soul and will stand the test of time. Think James Brown and Adidas shelltoes. Think individualism and loyalty. Think doing rather than thinking and doing it with a smile. Don’t think Vogue magazine or fashion clubs. Do not think mainstream radio or shareholders. Do not think politics of any persuasion or greed. Try not to think about hype too much and definitely do not think the glass is half empty. Most of all, Think outside the bks!
You can check out:
www.bestkeptsecret.uk.com
www.trustthedj.com/bestkeptsecret
www.myspace.com/bksmusic More info:
www.bestkeptsecret.uk.com (source: Press Release) 
