Deviation at Gramaphone

Deviation at Gramaphone

07 April, 2010
by: Benjamin Goode

Deviation is a London institution. Benjamin Goode takes a closer look at this month's edition.


The legendary Deviation night needs no previews, no reviews and no introduction. Deviation at Gramaphone hits full capacity week-in week-out, and such is the effort invested by curator and resident, the international playboy DJ Benji B that I imagine it to be less of a  profit making enterprise and more a progressive musical movement toward a state of enlightenment, we must after all get closer to the essence of life.

This month sees guests Floating Points (aka label head of the rather excellent and ascendant Eglo Recordings) and Gaslamp Killer (of Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder Collective) passing through to bless the Gramaphone basement with uncompromised genre-blending freestyle sets, ranging from Detroit techno, soul, jazz and house to psychedelic glitch, avant-rap and skittering beats.

As always head honcho Benji B and MC Judah will be holding down all the spaces in-between with aplomb. Nowadays there are countless imitators and we should be thankful that there are nights like Deviation to bestride them as the genuine article where anything can happen, it’s exciting times on the London club scene.

And while we are on the subject, Benji B’s 1Xtra radio show inspires religious levels of devotion providing intelligent music across a range of genres from soul to dubstep for a wide gamut of discerning purchasers (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/bbc_1xtra/). Expect it to be a Wednesday night roadblock so it is best to get there early, five pounds before eleven seven pound after. See you on the dancefloor,


 What to say: "Totally feeling that last psychedelic electro-glitch, soul-dub cut.

                       "What a wonderful show last week Benji."


What not to say: "Can you play Toxic please?"

                            "Got any jungle?"

                           "Allow me MC please, I got lyrics!"

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