Like A Parallel Universe

Vula Malinga

Metropole Orkest - a jazz/pop orchestra from the Netherlands which has been around since 1945 and is the biggest hybrid orchestra in the world. 
Basement Jaxx - a house music duo which began in the 1990's and are now an international chart topping sensation.

Le Gateau Chocolat

Now mesh the two together and you have one mind blowing parallel universe where hits you've stomped your feet to over the years has a classical make over to bring out the crescendos and diminuendos in a whole new light.

This form of rare cross over was created by Basement Jaxx's very own Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe with the help of their star singers and performers - Miss Vula Malinga, Miss Sharlene Hector, Brendan Reilly from California, Lisa Kekaula from The Bellrays and Le Gateau Chocolat in all things outrageous.

Starting off the evening with "Raindrops" couldn't have sounded more harmonious and sweet on the ear if it the instruments were lined with cotton candy and icing.

Pulling the best hits from all albums and giving them a whole new zesty sound, Basement Jaxx had the civilised audience up on their feet swaying to "Do Your Thing" and "Bingo Bango".

Watching the ladies jump up and get their domineering stature throughout "Good Luck" was invigorating full chorus belting out "Red Alert" was simply ecstatic.

Sharlene Hector & Brendan Reilly

Compelling costumes for all involved was definitely noted. Mainly Brendan Reilly in complete pirate/medieval from the waist up however in sweatpants to keep him warm and... comfortable? Unfortunately completely out staged by the elegant ladies in their enormous gowns and to finish the ensemble off we had Le Gateau Chocolat doing more costume changes than all the dances from a Kylie Minogue concert put together; embracing lycra full pieces like no other.

One of my favourite hits was "If I Ever Recover" with only one word suitable for the orchestral remake - beautiful.


To complete the evening, a full blown brass band jamming away while salsa dancing through the crowd outside the hall to prepare the audience and get us in the mood for a night of Basement Jaxx doing a quality DJ set. I couldn't have asked to bring in me into my 24th year of living. Happy Birthday to meeeeee.