At the start of 2010 we had opportunity of providing the support to a Red Bull Music Academy event staged at the Deaf Institute in Manchester. Also featured on the bill were A Guy Called Gerald and Marshall Jefferson.

The three of us weren’t sure what to expect not having seen or heard either of them for a long time. My most recent memory being when Marshall Jefferson arrived to play Casa Musica in May 2005 with a box of dusty and badly scratched records released on the re-issue label from around that time called S12. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not knocking Marshall or the label, the guy is a legend in his own right. Though agreeing to play a night and showcase all the records he bought, got involved in and having experienced Ron Hardy first hand didn’t really warrant playing a version of Black Box – Ride on Time that jumped around more than when Loletta Holloway realised someone was dining out on her vocal talent with a UK chart number one.

With that in mind we approached the party cautiously and packed several copies of Deep Heat 9 to double up with should the need arise to break out the ‘classics’. First our play time was cut short. Now we’re way beyond getting irate about that, it was more about how we were hustled off the turntables by Marshall himself. Only after telling us he was remixing House Music Anthem. Again.

We made way for Marshall and his pocket sized CD wallet and were animated at the lack of a box full of dusty S12 records. He brought the Cutloose selections to a stand still and soaked up the cheers and applaud.

His first record was an absolute beauty and for a moment we believed we were in for a real insight to the records that had inspired Marshall. As the night went on the record selection seemed to decline and there’s only so much DJM800 filter I can handle in one sitting. Sure this is all subjective and he played to a packed floor who all seemed to appreciate Marshall’s effort. That said I couldn’t help feeling like I’d be transported back to Warrington when bouncers wore Barry McGuigan style suits and you still had to wear shoes to get in clubs. Then I remembered Marshall talking on the Pump Up The Volume documentary and his first experience of the Music Box. Coincidence?

Here’s Marshall’s first record and I only wish he’d played more of the same. Enjoy.