THOUGHTS
INTERVIEWS
CLUBS
RECORDS
EDITOR
ADVERTS
LINKS

Yes it was that time again. Off to London (England). And this time I was heading off to probably the most famous nightclub night in the world today. The Ministry of Sound, London, England. But this time on 23rd November, 2002, it was for the Soul Heaven event that was being held there!

Yes, once again I had been involved with Jodie. A club promoter who seems to know everyone. This time she had secured a place for me to gain entry for a night at the "Ministry" - Soul Heaven Event. And what a this night was going to be. Little Louie Vega - one half of the team that is - The Masters at Work, was going to be there!

I was excited to say the least. I have loads of Masters of Work tunes in my record collection, and now for the first time I was going to see on of my Soulful House and Garage heroes in the flesh!

After driving around the town - Ipswich (England), getting my bits and pieces for the journey ahead. I was ready. I decided to dress up for the night.On went the suit. Yes, a Pin strip business looking suit with gold, metallic looking tie to set it off. And to complete the look, a pair of Brogue shoes. Mr. Brown was going to Town tonight!

I had to be careful tonight though. Driving wise anyway. We were into the 2nd night of the all out "strike" by Uk Fire Brigade that was running throughout the whole of the country.

The UK army is filling in until the UK fireman demands were met. At this moment in time the UK Government, and the Firemen's Union are locked still locked in a bitter dispute over a number of things, and will not budge an inch.

As I was driving along the A12 road to London from Ipswich, I decided against putting on my Garage tapes this time, and decided to go and listen for a change to a sports radio show on the BBC called "Five Alive".

Here supporters of Soccer clubs. Or people that have an interest in Cricket, Motor Racing, Horse racing or Rugby can air their views to the nation over the radio airwaves.

Whilst I was driving to the city, there where a number heated discussion on Soccer players wages. Also discussed was a few number of light hearted comments on the fact that England now were the best Rugby side in the world after just thrashing South Africa 53 - 3. Inside the last 2 weeks they had just beaten Australia and New Zealand Rugby teams as well.

Time seem to fly by as I reached London within an Hour and about 10 minutes from Ipswich. Yes, I had reached my favoured Gants hill, London, without too much trouble at all.

Parking up the Car in the Car park provided. I was soon making my way to Gants Hill tube station. It took me just a few minutes to get there, where I ordered my Underground tube ticket to get to Elephant and Castle tube station.

All the advertising hoardings around the tubes I noticed were really pushing the new James Bond film called - "Die another Day", which I was thinking I must go and see, as it looked and sounded fantastic.

We reached the Underground tube station, called the Bank, where I had to change. Soon I would be home and dry. However, as I was going through the various stations after the change. It came up through the Underground tube stations tannoy system that the stations of:

1. The Borough
2. Elephant and Castle

Would be closed. I can't believe this. I thought to myself. This is all I need. I had to be at the Ministry of Sound Gates by 10.00pm to meet up with Jodie, and the time was now reaching 9.40pm.

I decided that I had no time to waste and I got of at London Bridge tube station.

There I attracted the attention of one of the bus attendents on trying to find out which bus would lead me directly to the Elephant and Castle area.

"Bus number 35 or 144 governor. It will take you right there" Or better still follow that gentleman, he's going to the same destination." he said without referring to any notes or booklets!!

I looked around to this this tall black man, already hurrying away towards this distant bus stop which I was told about.

Eventually I caught up with him as he was walking at a fast pace.

"Hi..I'm trying to get to the bus stop that will take me to the Elephant and Castle. Can you help?" I said out of breath

"Yes. I am going to the same area myself", he replied in his distinctive African accent.

"We are not to far away from it, and the buses take 10 minutes to come around", he added

He was not wrong. Because as we were walking to the bus stop, 2 buses has already passed us along the way.

Eventually after walking for 5 Minutes we had reached our designated Bus Stop, and "as if by magic" within the next 2 minutes another bus had arrived. Within 10 minutes of Bus travelling we had reached the Elephant and Castle area. I nodded my head to my helper in appreciation, and then I was off to the Minsitry of Sound nightclub. It couldn't be far away from me now -surley?

However, the area was huge, and to make matters worse it featured a massive road roundabout to confuse things even further.

After phoning Jodie, and asking a few people the way once again. I eventually found the venue. I was 10 minutes late though. 10.10pm it read on my watch. I hope I hadn't missed her?

I made my way through and the gates, and then up to the style security box where a device was already in operation so that it could scan you for hidden weapons, etc before entering the Club.

Soon as I approached this, a monster of a man approached me from no where and stated…

"I am the head of security here, how can I help you?"

"Errr… my name is Carl Brown, from Ipswich. I'm waiting for Jodie. She works with the Ministry of Sound establishment. My name is down on her guest list"

"I don't care who you're with. Please wait outside until she comes…"

"I give her a call to explain the situation. Maybe she can sort this out."

Mobile phone in hand, plus walking back the gates with this man monster behind me I was phoning frantically to Jodie.

After now waiting out side the gates, I eventually got through to her I explained the situation.

"Don't worry. I will done in a sec.." was the reply from Jodie

Not again. I thought. I went through this the last time at Bar Rhumba, with Garage City, earlier on this month.

Two girls appeared. One being a red head, and a extremely attractive looking girl at that called Kelly, and the other being the tall, dark haired, cute looking Jodie.

I wasn't alone though. There was a small party of us who were all claiming to be on this pre-guest list of Jodie's. The funny part of this was finding who was who..

"Carl ..who's Carl?"

"Its me . Here I am. I'm over here!"

And so on and so on with other people within the party.

On entering the club you don't realise how big it is. And with so many different parts and paths to different areas of the club. Jodie didn't waste anytime in taking us straight to the Club VIP lounge though.

Once there she (Jodie) produced some bits and pieces for us to eat. She also allowed us to have a free bar as well for 1 hour only. Which made everyone happy. But I had to be careful. I was driving wasn't I! I ordered the drink called "Red Bulls" to drink.

I got talking to Jodie and Kelly within that magical 1 Hour spell. Jodie explainedto me that such was her workload that she had to selve some of it so that she could just have time to relax before she completely burns he self out completely.

Kelly on the other hand also explained that she has a lot on her plate as well. But loves working there, and has met all of the top House and Dance acts in the world since being at the "Ministry". She also told me that she had tried to call me on a number of occasions, but I was either out, or my mobile phone was switched off.

I asked Kelly and Jodie once again just to be on the safe side if I was allowed to take pictures whilst inside the club. Both of them were adamant that I could do this.

I didn't waste any time. I quickly got out my small Olympics Trip Camera and started snapping away. I managed to get a few shots of Kelly and Jodie, straight away because I knew that they would be whisked away by the club for other things shortly.

I managed to get into a good vantagepoint to take pictures of an area where Little Louie Vega and his entourage would be playing.

Soon after, I noticed right at the back of the DJ booth Little Louie Vega had entered the arena. He was soon joined by what looked like a Jazz/Classical Guitarist.. He was tuning up, and running through a few guitar scales…

I managed to get a few photos of this as well.

Two girls that had been part of this small VIP party that I was apart of, introduced them selves to me as they were walking by…

I couldn't remember their names. (*Sorry girls). But they were very pleasant, polite and talkative,and both were from London..

Both of the girls were quite tall, one was a blonde haired girl, and the other being a mousey coloured haired girl.

They explained that they were part of the party as well, and were constant visitors of the Ministry of Sound. The blonde haired girl explained that she loved seeing Louie, and the Masters at Work again, and again. She had bought quite a lot of his records in her past from them, and explained that London had a love affair with Masters at Work, that never ceased. It was the second time that that they had seen them this year! And everytime she made it down to the Ministry it was a roadblock.

We talked about her and what she liked doing, etc, for the next 20 minutes. Together why she liked the coming don to the Ministry of Sound. And to be fair she wasn't wrong with her conclusion about the Master at Work, and other Club related things that she mentioned to me. Also talking to Jodie very briefly about the same things, bought about the same conclusions.

Many of the small party had already made themselves at home within the intimate and yet smallish VIP lounge. Some were sipping Red Bulls and Vodkas. Others indugled with Southern Comfort and Pepsi Cola. I was armed with just a can of Pepsi Cola. But I was driving I kept telling myself!

I made my way to a small balcony where by I could see where Louie Vega and his small team, who would be performing at 02:00 am. Already this team where already checking the equipment within the DJ Booth that was already hastly erected. Twisting and tweaking things just to make sure that everything looked secured. Also there was already a small guitar secured in place by a holder of some kind near the front of the stage.

It looked like a classical guitar from where I based, but I couldn't be sure 100%. I looked at my watch at this moment in time and it read 11:00.

About 10 minutes later, Jodie informed us that in the next 10 minutes, the happy hour that had been allowed for us to receive the free drinks bar was to end. And more of the club regular VIP member would be coming through.

I was disappointed that this period of time had come to an end, but nothing lasts fo ever I thought.

Within the next 15 minutes, this calm VIP area had changed from a quite, relaxing chill out area. To a bustling, and pulsating meeting point for the beautiful people. People from all shades and sizes, and different makeups of society were now here.

I decided to take a look outside the comfort of the Vip room that we had locked ourselves away to, and venture out and look out from the main balcony of the Club to the crowds below.

Wow, the main bar area of the Club was already getting nice and rammed. I quickly glanced at my watch and it read - 11:30 pm. The DJ, who I hadn't a clue who he was, was dropping a Jazz infused House set. It seemed quite appropriate at this moment in time. The images that I got from the balcony reminded me of the T.V Show called Miami Vice that was huge in the 1980's here in England, and of course in the USA.

The clubbers at the Ministry tonight were dressed smartly, but dressed and aimed at the more fashion chic, end of the market. For instances, if the clubbers here were dressed in Jeans. I have to say they were designer Jeans. Get my drift?

The crowds were rich mix of diversity. One moment you eyes could rest on a Dreadlock Rasta, bopping up and about the Dj's set with a white girl in his grasp. The next you could see a group of what looked like "City boys" - drinks in one hand, laughing away at someone within their group who had pinched a girls bottom as she walked passed.

The reason why the group of boys were laughing so hard. Was because the "unlucky boy" within the group had got caught by the girl whom he had "pinched her bottom" just a few seconds ago!

The Bar Staff at the Ministry within the Bar area were working hard, from what I could see. It seemed as if they had 3 arms, They were moving so fast that it surprised the "Clients or Drinkers", whom got their drinks back so quickly.

I noticed along this balcony that there was this VIP Styled rope along with a club guard standing near by that was letting people out from our end of the balcony through without checking up on them. But were not allowing people from the other end of the balcony through without checking their hands first.

The small group that I had originally entered the club with, had been "marked" with an intra-violet pen. Marking our hands with this, together with a special code that allowed us in all areas of the club.

I decided that enough was enough, and it was time to explore the rest of the club, if I could. I wanted to get down with the real people and get down.

Reaching the bottom of the metal staircase. I was un-prepared for how busy it was. There were people everywhere. You couldn't "freely" move as I thought I would be able to.

I have to be honest once or twice I did get annoyed as people pushed past without even looking in my direction. But all in all people did apoligise if you did get jostled. Many did turn around and apologised.

More than one or two of the ladies within this bar area of the club turned my head I can tell you. Some of them were dressed to kill, and looked every inch Model material. One girl that I noticed must have been over 6 foot 2 inch in height, and looked every inch a "sex siren". She had all the men staring in disbelief at her. Me included as she confidently walked past in her short Denim skirt and belt, and silk wrap over top!

The club was getting packed now. And yet they still hadn't opened the area where - Little Louie Vega and co where destined to play. We had just had to be patient.

Many people around me were in a joyous mood. And the age group seemed to be from 23 to 24 onwards. This seemed to be geared towards a more mature night. Though I am not saying that there were not any 18 years old here. But on the whole it was geared towards the over 23 years olds, etc, etc…

Please Click on this link below to read the rest of the report

This is copyrighted. If you would like to use the text or any of the images please contact Mr.Carl Brown(Ipswich, England)to do so.