8bit Records show their wares at Cable

Vita.Luna presents 8Bit Records Showcase @ Cable, London – Saturday 20^th February 
  
8Bit is one of those labels has been at the epicentre of a new sound in dance music, such was the imprint’s impact on house back in 2008. Helmed by Nick Curly and Gorge from their base in Germany, the label is at the forefront of what has become known as Mannheim (their home town) house. Aside from the bosses themselves, deep, chunky records from the likes of tonight’s guests Alex Niggemann and Ray Okpara have soundtracked parties all across the globe in recent times. Tonight’s line-up, culled from their label, makes for a very enticing prospect down at London’s acclaimed Cable venue.
 
Arriving at the venue at just past midnight, we make our way through the atmospheric labyrinth of the club’s Victorian viaducts and archways. Gorge’s subterranean beats perfectly match the setting and pleasingly tickle our in inner ear, such is the force of the club’s sound system.  It’s nicely packed out and the place is already vibing: all around us ‘90s revival kids, dolled-up girls and hoodie-sporting boys shift shapes, exchange smiles and whoop at all the right points in Gorge’s set.
 
As the 8Bit boss weaves has way through a fine selection of melodic house groovers (dropping some golden oldies as he goes to keep the crowd firmly on his side) he steadily ups the tempo without ever straying too far from the Manheim sound, and it works a treat. He kindly takes the crowd to another level when he weaves in the modern classic beats of Johnny D’s label defining, track-y house hit Requiem Of A Dream, Gorge whilst simultaneously dropping the tempo and allowing Alex Niggemann to take centre stage. The young DJ and producer behind a couple of last summer’s biggest hits (the cheeky El Hechizo and Makayuni if you’re asking) shows himself to be no dullard behind the decks, either. He plots a deft journey through, at first, deeper shades of 4/4, then onto more energetic, silvery-edged slices of tech house, all whilst bobbing about behind his Mac logo, smiling from ear to ear. 
 
Come the final beat of the German’s set, sweat drips from his brow as he makes way for man-giant Ray Okpara, the now shoulder-to shoulder crowd making their appreciation for his set heard with a volley of screams and whoops. Far from being intimidated by taking over at such an incendiary point though, Okpara hammers out woodblockedpercussive grooves, plump 4/4 kicks and mind-melting melodies whilst dropping the odd vocal along the way (with Romanthony’s Let Me Show You Love sounding particularly sweet).
 
Cable has a raw, enigmatic feel. Its three main rooms and the scattered, hidden alcoves (in which you can do, well, whatever you want to do) add an edgy dimension to the party. People find their own corners and have their own dancing parties; chats prevail in certain corners whilst heads down grooving prevails in others and, all in all, it makes for a engaging atmosphere. And while it’s no longer as essential an imprint as it was this time last year, it seems 8Bit Records still have more than a few tricks up their sleeve. If this party was anything to go by, we’re ready and waiting for the next one.