Most nights I join my fellow citizens and happily resign to being shepparded through dense lineups and onto packed dance floors; where we all sway shoulder-to-shoulder to the heavy-thumping of the latest club-bangers.

It all sounds the same, looks the same, and feels the same. My city has unabashedly farted out a collection of these nights. The mind is numb and I succumb, happily bleating because the choices are few and the nights numbered.

Ah but then… there are those rare nights we are let in on a secret that only the truly Badass Music Guys know. Hungarian-native Andrew Genser spins as the DJ alias Add2Basket, and has been one such little-known secret to Toronto. That is, up until this hugely successful INTIMATE & UNDERGROUND gig at Toika.

I wasn’t sure of what to expect. Leading up to the event, I had feasted my ears on Add2Basket’s live sets and was satisfied – I knew the night would be filled with fresh and funky house beats. However, the newly-renovated Toika would mark his first-ever 4+ hour set, a sure challenge for any DJ.

So. I made an uncharacteristically early appearance, looking to catch the DJ in the moment. Add2Basket was the epitome of slick – cool, calm, focused and friendly: “I’m not nervous. I never get nervous. I have no expectations. I’ll see where the Toronto crowd wants to take the night.”

I knew where I wanted to take the night! The dance floor filled up early, again uncharacteristic of the Toronto house scene I frequent. And the beautiful I&U crowd was just as eager as I was.

The funky track selection had our feet moving and by midnight, the floor was packed. I swore to forgo my frequent smoke breaks – this was special. Add2Basket maintained an easy and natural flow, layering tracks and building momentum with grooves that were new to most of us.

The club-district crowd was hooked. Toronto was happy, and when we’re happy, we give props to the DJ! Eager dancers took turns visiting the DJ booth, letting Add2Basket know that we were happily riding his electro-funk wave. It had all come together perfectly.

Here are links to Add2Basket’s set: for those of you who missed the night and for those of you who want an encore:

Download (left-click and unzip):
Add2Basket – INTIMATE & UNDERGROUND v.4 – May 8, 2009 – 01
Add2Basket – INTIMATE & UNDERGROUND v.4 – May 8, 2009 – 02
Add2Basket – INTIMATE & UNDERGROUND v.4 – May 8, 2009 – 03
Add2Basket – INTIMATE & UNDERGROUND v.4 – May 8, 2009 – 04

Once again, the bringthebeats crew has lived up to its promise and the message is clear: Progressive House has a place in Toronto, and its here to stay.

And for those of you who complain that Toronto’s Progressive House scene is empty, soul-less bleeps, I have only this to say: come check the New Scene. And bring your dancing shoes.

Don’t forget to check the pics!!

This entry was posted on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 8:02 pm and is filed under INTIMATE & UNDERGROUND. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.