Afriklub
January 4th, 2007 by rui
We catch up with the promoter and resident DJ for Afriklub – the regular Afro-session at The Big Chill House.
Who are you?
John Armstrong
What have you been up to, before Afriklub?
In a previous life I was a West End media lawyer with a part-time music passion and dj habit. In the last few years, the habit’s taken over and the Law’s on the back burner. I started London’s first fully-dedicated Latin and African club nights at Hoxton’s late-lamented Bass Clef Club in 1984, till 1994 when it closed. Since then I’ve had residencies all over London and played in four continents (including Africa itself, which was awe-inspiring). I currently have other London residencies at Guanabara (Brazilian beeats), Notting Hill Arts Club (Futuro Flamenco- nu-latin beats) and the Big Chill Bar (total mash-up from African to funk and hip-hop). I have an occasional residency at Le Batofar, a club on a boat on the Seine in Paris.From 1996 till 2000, i was the Music Editor of Latin London magazine, and for the last 10 years I’ve been the Music Director at Brazilian Contemporary Arts, a registered charity devoted to exposing and presenting all forms of Brazilian art and culture (film, sculpture, dance, music, food, history, painting) to the UK public.
What’s the music policy for Afriklub?
Urban African beats, taking in most African fusions including hip hop, funk, afrobeat, zouk, soukouss, reggae, dancehall, etc.
Who has played, or is going to play at Afriklub?
Me (of course!), the Mas Rico guys upstairs. Jo ‘Gold Coast’ Hagan (who – uniquely – mixes Afro and reggae with Country and Western and Rockabilly). Each session, we’ll be having top live percussionists from various Afro-related fields, and exclusive DVD action on the big screens all night. The January Afriklub features M’Siuer Afrique – Greg Villanova.
If money was no object, and you could book any line-up of DJs and bands living or dead, who would play?
How long have you got??
African: Franco’s TPOK Jazz Band (all 27 of them);
Afro-Cuban: Los Van Van
Jazz: Dizzy Gillespie’s band at its peak;
Soul: Otis and Aretha, with guest appearances from Sam Cooke, Stevie W.
and a DJ set from Afrika Baambata.
Brazilian: Clementina Da Jesus and Candeia, with Seu Jorge opening. Rock and Mainstream:
Bob Dylan & the Band, with guest spot from Bruce Springsteen in his new Folk image!
Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis;
Brian Wilson;
The Clash.
Folk etc: Davey Graham & Alexis Korner.
Nick Drake.
What are your current top 5 tunes?
‘Mr President’: China Black (Nigeria)
‘Kolootta’: Act 1 (Uganda)
‘Dougbe’:Jospinto (Benin)
‘Jogo Duro’:Art Popular (Brazil, Rio)
‘It’s A Man’s World’ (Deep Afro-Yoruba mix) -Ray Santiago ( New York)
What do you think of The House?
Saw it before and after renovation – what a transformation!
What’s your house like?
Four floors in Hackney with too many piles of books and records.
Thank-you!
Afriklub runs monthly at The Big Chill House. Next session: Friday 5th January.
