It's 1994 and my friend John Butler from Miami convinced me of an amazing jungle scene in London and it's something I need to witness. At the time, I was a breakbeat DJ playing happy hardcore, breakbeat and some darkside too as this was very popular in 1993. But there was a new sound emerging called Jungle. So John planned this trip for us to go in towards the end of July because there was a Bank Holiday weekend, and that's when they throw the biggest parties in London.
I booked my ticket from Miami to London...I think it was around $450 round trip via Virgin Atlantic. I ask my mom if she could give me a haircut before my trip...and oh no I can't believe what happened!
My mom started cutting my hair with a Wahl hair trimmer like usual, she usually uses two different sized hair clips guards. She finished with the first guard then took it off and was ready to put on the second one...but in that instant the phone rang and she took the call. She then started talking on the phone with her friend and continued cutting my hair...and guess what...that's right...she for got to put on that second clip guard on. She then continued to cut my hair on the top, and I heard it differently this time! Omg...she cut my hair to the scalp! I grabbed the mirror and.....it looks like an airplane runway for the Virgin Atlantic! I was so shocked and could not believe what she just did. She dropped the phone and said she was sorry. Well, nothing I could do but just told her I had no choice, but to just cut all my hair on the #1 clip guard which was almost to the scalp right on the blade and would help mask the mistake. I never had my hair this short in my life, but oh well, for my first time to London, I will have to go looking like a crazy man...lol!
In my experience my first big rave in the UK in 1994 was Roast @ The Astoria, which was all black people. I think we where the only white kids there....lol But my buddy John is good friends with MC 5-0 and got us on the VIP guest list. And Roast does not have a guestlist. So when we got there walked right in and got shout outs on the mic, all the people there where like who the hell are these geeza's....lol But everybody was super friendly and the party had one of the best vibes I ever witnessed.
I remember going to Section 5 records shop which was owned by label Moving Shadow. And the onwer noticed my american accept. He asked me what has been the best party so for her on my visit...when I mentioned the Roast....everybody at the shop was shocked...the owner said you know that is an all black party...I was like I know it was sooooo good!
Then towards the end of the trip we hit World Dance @ Lydd Airport in Kent. Biggest drum & bass rave I ever went to! With carnival rides and everything. 1994 was my favorite year as the ragga jungle style was happening at the time.
