John Bongo

ace he figured he'd have zero interest in - and had been vigorously trying to duck out of being dragged to for months - much to his mates frustrations. So, on this hot Tuesday night in June 1979, the doors burst open, and a solid wall of unbelievably loud music and strobe lights almost knocking him to the floor, and a crazy, hot 'n' sweaty crowd filling the dance floor. The shock to the system almost made him turn on his heel and make an escape - but the sheer excitement kept him there. It was at that moment all the elements in the musical cosmos came together, fusing the nervous excitement, the teenage energy, the thumping music and synchronised dance floor disco lights. In that instant, he became totally hooked on the energy of this place, the dancers, and the music that fuelled it all. The quiet kid was instantly intoxicated by the vibe, and the DJ, a very cool-looking guy by the stage name of Buddie Holley, who sat at the helm of this incredible Disco Starship, high up, overlooking the dance floor. He played the records that generated the energy, and - in that moment - that's what John Bongo realised he wanted to do. He stood with eyes on stalks, watching the dancers - these were top movers - surrounded by a densely-packed wall of other kids watching in awe, their faces illuminated by the 'Saturday Night Fever'-style dance floor; Kev S and Rocker Rowsell with their hops and 'drops' borrowed from energetic northern soul moves, giving it all to Arthur Conley's Funky Street; disco 'smoothies' with magic black slip-on shoes and white socks, gliding effortlessly across the floor to Earth Wind & Fire's Boogie Wonderland or Jackson's Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough. He loved it all and couldn't get enough. From that point on, needless to say, a Tuesday night was never missed. Since then, he's been lucky enough to have played this beautiful form of dance music at all kinds of amazing events, including celebrations, festivals, corporate bashes, and private parties. He still gets the same buzz that he got when he first tumbled through that door into that hot, sweaty teenage disco. There's a simple equation... music with rhythm and groove is the fuel that ignites a primitive urge causing people to relax, let themselves go, and move their bodies to the music. This is what JB strives to recreate when he plays - whether it's a handful of people on a tiny dance-floor, or a field-full of festival-goers. There's little doubt that nostalgia has to play a big part of his love for soul, funk and disco, but it's artistry and connection with dance and togetherness is the big pull. It's never more powerful or vibrant than when you see it accompanied by dance, the two working together, influencing the DJ's track choices, or a band's energy. There's no other genre of music that can create such a powerful electric buzz at a party. It's high production values and the talents of the vocalists and musicians involved, ensure not only that it survives, but continues to thrive, with new artists emerging, creating exciting new sounds. It's influence on modern music has never been stronger than now. So that’s how John Bongo came to do this crazy thing. To be able to give as much fun and good vibes, and get the same back, is certainly a great trade, and a blessing. And finally... his dream is for clubs to be opened (and reopened) throughout the country, where young guys and gals can enjoy this uplifting music once again, burn off their energy on the dance floor and create that exciting vibe that's been missing for so long from our entertainment culture. "Dance is healthy, fun, exciting, totally infectious, and it promotes confidence, well-being, and long-term happiness" he says... "in a world where young people can focus all too easily on negativity, this surely can't be a bad thing." John Bongo's Devon Funk & Soul Club page: facebook.com/DevonFunkSoul

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