Meandyou @ Bookbinders, Manchester 24/10/2008

Move D / MLZ
3.5/ 5 (4 if you want to be generous)

Meandyou has quickly established itself as eminent amongst the many house/techno dances in Manchester. With a booking policy seemingly focussed on talent thats often overlooked (such as Bovill & Murmur of the relatively obscure UK techno dub label Meanwhile, scheduled to play next month) Move D looked like the perfect guest.

Move D (David Moufang from Heidleberg, Germany) set up Source Records DE way back in 1992 and has been releasing deep house, techno and acid cuts since then. Both his own releases and the Source label output vary in style but are always of the highest quality - this is an artist who has serious ideas about quality control. Recently he's been working with super cool labels like Workshop and Running Back, and doing my fact checking, I saw he even had a record out on Warp back in 1996. It was his connection with Manchester's Modern Lover records that brought him to the rainy city, headlining a label showcase for the deep techno imprint, along with fellow Modern Lover MLZ. MLZ is the new project from DJ Miles, half of the genre-busting Pendle Coven act. His new project is a chance to focus on four-to-the-dancefloor business.

Walking into the Bookbinders club, it felt most like a good old British working mens club - but tucked away in a city centre basement near Manchester's Canal street. Low ceilings are normally desirable in a club, mirrored walls less so. But no problem, it added glitter proceedings and made the venue seem as expansive as the performers selections. The crowd was cool, youthful and eagerly anticipating headliner Move D's set.

Residents Dan Mumberson and Joseph set the tone, shimmying between lush deep house and acute, functional rhythm cuts. They sneaked the odd epic techno dub track in as well - a style the night has championed thus far. Unfortunately I must have missed fellow resident Arnaldo's set; his techno leanings might have added a bit of grit to proceedings. Abstract Earth and Craig Boylan were apparently responsible for the excellent visuals - apt and un-intrusive.

Move D took the decks and filled the dancefloor. Leaving his laptop at home and playing a DJ selection he built on the sound work of the residents, taking us further into the realms of the deep house groove. I can only guess at the gems that must weigh down his record shelves, but he gave us a glimpse tonight. Tight and efficient mixing, and a classy sound that was all restrained emotion and super quality productions.

MLZ found previously unheard levels of bass, plumbing the depths. In an hour long Ableton set he ranged around the musical terrain, as anyone familiar with his DJ sets might expect. From a dubby techno starting point he was quickly into more irregular beat programming. Whilst impressive in its range and movement between styles, it did sound a bit well behaved, lacking the anger of aggressive dubstep or the weight of techno dub - not so firmly set on dancefloor devastation. Perhaps this just touches on the soundsystems set up. Although a seemingly imposing rig, the sound was a bit light, and with the nature of the music played you need some deep bass to really make it physical.

Outside, the street filled up with smiling faces and warm words for meandyou, a night which is only going to move onwards and upwards.


Michael Curtis
http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=5575