A piece of Techno history hit Space Ibiza last night as Luciano welcomed to Vagabundos Carl Craig, Derrick May, Stacey Pullen and Moodymann. The Detroit sound reigned supreme on the Main Room and Sunset Room’s floors, a unique opportunity for all the fans to savour the legacy of the Motor City’s music tradition.
Swiss young talent Ezikiel warmed up the Main Room in style before the legends took over, with the tracks from his The First EP (on Cadenza) sounding great. More to the point, a few tunes from his forthcoming release (due later this autumn on Luciano’s label again) were previewed on the night.
Planet E’s head honcho Carl Craig played a roaring B2B set with Stacey Pullen: the Jazz and Soul inspired Techno of Craig went down a storm along with Pullen’s trademark upbeat rhythms, leaving the crowd wanting for more after dropping some iconic numbers such as a contemporary rendition of Bug In The Bassbin and the evergreen Alive.
Luciano went on after Craig and Pullen: the Vagabundos ringleader’s unique Traktor 4 Decks style was taken to the next level last night, creating a huge wall of sound that blew everyone away, also thanks to the massive sound system exclusively provided for the occasion. An interesting fact: Luciano played a good bunch of tracks from his Basaec label, which were produced in his late teens and were sent to Derrick May’s imprint but turned down. Some 20 years on, those tracks sounded great, and it felt good to hear them at Space Ibiza on this unique night.
Derrick was on after Luciano, and closed off the Main Room in true Detroit fashion: peak time bombs, big room anthems and some hits from his Transmat label, topping it off with his very own Strings Of Life (recorded as Rhythim Is Rhythim), the milestone track that helped shape the Techno genre.
In the Sunset Room, gAs entertained the crowds with his Deep melodies and catchy grooves. His Split EP on Cadenza was released one week ago to enthusiastic reviews, and the guy lived up to that with a selection taking in the best of the last 20 years in House Music.
Chica Paula’s bold fusion between fairytale-like Ambient, House, Techno and Electropop proved to be a winning formula last night, and the people in the Sunset Room truly enjoyed her set as something different and quite unexpected.
Moodymann took the stage after her: to say that his appearance was highly anticipated is quite an understatement. The guy was in the mood to party as he unleashed a medley of Funk, Soul, Disco and classic House on the especially receptive crowd, his trademark use of reworked riffs, samples and grooves sending everyone crazy. A pleasure to have this artist at Space Ibiza, that’s for sure.
Luciano, Michel Cleis and Ilario Alicante, among other artists, will choose the best music on Sunday 16th August. Buy your tickets for Vagabundos at Space Ibiza!
Review by Francesco Bergomi