I was 20, I’d just moved to Edinburgh and I was desperate to start a club. I knew nothing about clubs, I had no idea how to mix and I only owned about ten records. But that didn’t matter because I’d met George. He had the same idea and he owned another ten. He introduced me to Harry and Simon, they had about ten each – so between us we thought we were in business.
We dreamed of a glamorous twilight world, making our mark on the UK music scene – rivalling Pure or even the legendary Glasgow Slam nights. We ended up at Moray House, the fetid union building of a dodgy PE college – a rickety fire hazard with the worst PA you can imagine and 20 years of spilt beer and student sweat on the walls. The place was so foul that before our first night, we hired industrial floor sanders and spent two days giving the owners a free refurb.
Doors opened at 9.00 pm on a chilly Friday. For three hours we were dead. The venue was way down the bottom of the old town – miles from anything. We played nervous 20 minute sets, trying not to use our best records. The bar staff looked scornful and warned that we’d better play more Sisters of Mercy. Offering a (then) weird mix of dub, funk, hip-hop, ragga and jazz to a crowd that wasn’t exclusively student or casual started to look very dumb. Then someone told me to go to the door. I poked my head out and saw a hundred people stamping their feet and grumbling at the bouncers to get on with it. Poshies, locals, veteran clubbers … as Ollie said, the music changed and the venues got nicer (a bit) – but Tribal Funktion always had a great crowd.
So, whenever I hear that Edinburgh is dead and there’s nowhere fun to go any more – I always say: get your ten best records, start knocking on student union doors, and get those floor sanders out….
Christian
CHRISTIAN’S MORAY HOUSE TOP 10:
Take A Rest – Gang Starr.
Magic Disco Machine - Scratch.
Depth Charge Vs Silver Fox – Depth Charge.
Theme From Starsky and Hutch - James Taylor Quartet.
Brothers on the Slide – Cymande.
Hooligan 69 - Ragga Twins.
You’re Losing Me – Ann Sexton.
Step Right Up – Young Disciples.
Love Will Bring us Back Together – Roy Ayers.
Revelations Part 1 – Jazz Not Jazz.
This weeks download is a recording from Moray House era Tribal Funktion. Early 1992 to be more exact. I've no idea who is playing but seeing as we were keen on quick fire 10 minute sets it is at least three if not all four of us (40 minute recording). Listening to this and recognising these old tunes is a an absolute trip! A very heady and pleasing variety. Tommy Boy, reggae, eight ball, house, Shut Up And Dance, disco, Guerrilla, and so on. Thanks for the post Christian. You nailed it!
