Koma & Bones @ Zouk Out 2

Saturday, November 24th, 2001
Zouk Out 2, Tanjong Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore

Words by Bryon Pender / Pictures by Jimmy Lee

A nice cool Sunday morning - the time, almost 2:05 a.m. The occassion, the second installment of Zouk Singapore's massive outdoor dance fest: Zouk Out 2, on Sentosa Island, off the Singapore coastline.

Once every year, Zouk, Singapore's premiere dance/clubbing institution host's it's outdoor festival called Zouk Out. Last year saw it's first outing with a massive 12,000 or more party animals flocking to Sentosa Island's Siloso Beach to patake of the patake of a groove fest that showcased the DJ talents of not only the Zouk residents but the likes of Chris Coco, Dave Seaman, Richie Hawtin, and other top international DJs, spread across 4 tents all along the beach - all at a party that didn't stop till 7 in the morning.

This year's event, spread out on Tanjong Beach on the western coastline of Sentosa Island, was even bigger and better than it's predecessor. Bigger sound and light system, massive lasers, better layout (at least we had the whole beach to ourselves without those cheesy bars and their irritating larger lout patrons on Siloso beach last year...) and a superb sunset view to add to it. From the moment I set foot on the sand, I could tell this was going to be a great night. Four tents played host to the diabolical talents of Norman and Joey Jay, Gilles Peterson, Yousef, Darren Emerson, Takkyu Ishino, Dave Angel, Lee Burridge, Parks and Wilson, Circulation, the Zouk residents and another very special bunch of folks from Lancaster, England: Koma and Bones.

Andy "Koma" Duckmanton and Chris "Bones" Kirkbried (minus the third party of Jude "Proteus" Sebastian who couldn't make the trip) were about to hit the stage in a few minutes and I, amongst many, waited in eager anticpation for them to take the stage. Tony Tay, the Phuture resident, was dishing out an hour of scintilating deep and driving progressive breakbeats prior to that, fueling the crowd up for the mayhem that was about to send them totally mad (and I do mean utterly bonkers)! Watching the bunch around me goin nuts, it was obvious that they were totally ready for the lads who really, needed no introduction based on they're work rate in the year 2000 alone. Their album "Blinded By Science" (TCR) and Y4K mix CD (Distinctive) basically enforced themselves as nu skool breaks DJ/Producers who were always one step ahead. Even Rennie Pilgrem has given them countless accolades and did the best thing possible by signing them to his TCR imprint. Tons of tracks, remixes, an album and a mix CD later, and their own label Forged Recordings,..... woah nelly, these boyz are gettin' busier! (plus I read somewhere that they're also currently working with electro god-daddy Arthur Baker as well).

Pop on the dot, on these boyz came to a sea of hands from the waiting crowd. Starting off with the Freeland and ILS remix of Fluke's "Absurd" they began to work their magic as tune after tune captivated and drove the jumping crowd into a frenzy (even caught Tony Tay going wild on the beach)!  Scratching, crossfading, dropping licks and accapella's; these boys didn't miss a trick, and neither did the crowd. Screams of delight rang out fast and furious when Chris dropped their own remix of Kosheen's "Hide U" (now on white and rumoured to make the shelves on a general release shortly, if not already). Of course the other essentials like "High Rollin" and "Morpheus" followed on causing the crowd to jump around in furious delight at every thump of the kick drum. Another track that really got them up in arms was the Crystal Method's "You Know it's Hard" which I was told later by Andy, was also another Koma & Bones remix now on white label and due for release early in the new year. I almost thought I heard "Planet Rock" but I was mistaken. What I wasn't wrong about was that the lads had just launched an electro bomb of a tune which till this moment, I haven't got the title of, but trust me, I will, I will!!! Passers-by along the beach (obviously heading for the main stage to catch Darren Emerson) just stopped short at the tent and joined in the dance-a-thon. Even the weariest of legs sitting down near the water's edge got up and charged up their reserve batteries. Koma and Bones were really rocking the tent. By the time their two hour set was almost over, many of us felt it was two hours too soon. We could've danced till dawn. As they say sadly, all good things must come to a close sometime, but DJ Pippi from Ibizia's reknowned Pacha Club kept things groovy right up till sunrise.

One thing's for sure, we haven't got enough of Koma and Bones just yet and we're begging that they'll pay us a visit again really soon. I must say a special thank you to Andy and Chris, as well as Tony for helping a tired trainspotter out. Really friendly chaps who looked like they could've played another six hours if they wanted to. Obviously the boyz enjoyed themselves thoroughly. (which means that two thirds of the battle to have them back again is already won!) Kudos to the Zouk team time and again for providing us with another reason to keep boogieing; the planning, organisation, lights, sound,....everything! Kudos to a night of quality and excellence all round. And thank you Chris and Andy for those very memorable two hours!

Footnote: Kudos also to the Zouk/Velvet/Phuture Residents: Aldrin, Brendon, Jeremy, Byden, Adam, Andrew and of course, the MAN, Tony...... you guys should be world famous, really!