Shiftless Shuffle - London, 18 December 05

[Rickyboy]

Shiftless Shuffle - London, 18 December 05

Featuring a rare meeting of the UK’s biggest jazz DJs including Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 1, Worldwide) Paul Murphy (Electric Ballroom / Afro Art Records) + resident DJ Perry Louis (Jazzcotech/Messin Around)


Street-Fusion jazz dance is alive and kicking at Shiftless Shuffle – London’s only true deep jazz DJ and dance session, returning for an extremely exciting union of two legendary UK DJs, who despite their common pedigree have rarely met behind the decks…

Widely credited as the instigator of the jazz revival of the 1980s, Paul Murphy (Electric Ballroom / Afro Art Records) was first bitten by the DJ bug in the late 70s playing at a string of clubnights during the infancy of the jazz dance scene, going on to establish groundbreaking jazz nights including upstairs at the Electric Ballroom, the Jazz Rooms, Brighton (still going now!), the Wag Club Soho and various others around the West End. From running Palladin Records in the 80s to today managing and A&Ring at Afro Art Records established by Ballistic Brother Ashley Beedle, Paul has been intrinsic in every aspect of the industry and is considered a godfather of the jazz scene, now producing some jazz nuggets including his first debut album The Trip already championed by Gilles Peterson…

Which brings us nicely to his mate behind the decks tonight. The UK’s leading supplier of ever jazzy, soulful, world-influenced musical gems, Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide show on BBC Radio one is the stations third most listened to show with listeners stretching around the world from Lagos to Los Angeles. From his days as a youth in South London hooking up ariels to broadcast his makeshift radio show, Gilles got into the medium through sheer energy and enthusiasm, and love of undergound black music he was hearing on dancelfoors. He loved the energy of the Electric Ballroom, and frequented Palladin Records where Paul Murphy worked, whose knowledge of jazz he cites as a major influence, and eventually replaced him at the Ballroom.

From there came many legendary clubnights including Sundays at Dingwalls, a seminal record label Talkin’ Loud (releasing albums by Galliano, Brand New Heavies, Young Disciples, Incognito, 4 hero, MJ Cole, Roni Size) and a multitude of groundbreaking compilations such as Impressed with Gilles Peterson, Gilles Peterson in Africa, awards and many many more.

Tonight’s dancefloor offerings alongside resident Perry Louis (Jazzcotech, Weak At The Knees) will be jazz delights by artists such as Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Don Alias, Stone Alliance and Terumasa Hino to revive memories and create more for those loving the dancefloor and deep jazz vibes.

Sun 18 Dec 2005
At: Freedom Bar, 60-66 Wardour Street, London W1F 0TA.
Nearest Tubes: Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus
Times: 5.30pm to 10.30pm, tickets £6.00
—Damian Rafferty
Monday 28 November 2005