Crack

Two of the most over used words in music journalism would have to be 'seminal' and 'legend'. It would seem dance music in particular has an abundance of seminal moments and the many scenes and styles are so bursting with legends that nowadays it's not unusual to bump into a legend at your local dance club or see the creator of a seminal moment popping up on several stages at any given festival over the summer.

Given dance music was originally fuelled by a mood enhancing drug, it's probably not that surprising, but when it comes to Robert Owens however, it would seem fair to say that he really is a legend. As one of the pioneers of the Chicago house scene his track Tears has still got to be one of the best Dance Records ever made with the incredibly emotional soul vocal over that deep, and at the time very original house beat. It almost enhances his legendary status when you remember the track was not credited to Owens but Frankie Knuckles and Satoshi Tomiie.

So, to the Big Chill Bar in Bristol and a DJ set and live P.A to celebrate their second birthday. The bar has undergone a refurb and is looking all nice and new this evening, the place is packed and with a queue reaching virtually the whole length of Small Street, it would seem Owens is definitely a big draw. With the current trend for all things 4 x 4 and thanks to the likes of Horse Meat Disco, Disco Bloodbath and DJ Harvey, Robert Owens jackin' sound has undergone a large renaissance. At Glastonbury this year he headlined the NYC Downlow on Saturday night and now has a whole new generation of fans, it seemed a fitting guest for The Big Chill's party.

Owens took to the decks following a cracking set from local hero Suisse and preceded to treat the crowd to an upfront selection of deep house and chugging grooves. He's an adept DJ with a unique style, impressive considering he's best known for his singing abilities. When we get to hear that voice though, the crowd are reminded what they came for. He still sings with incredible power and puts so much in to his performance it's impossible not to be impressed - Tears with extra ad libs was exceptional, plus a vocal over the top of Mr. Fingers' Can U Feel It worked very well and finally I'll Be Your Friend - judging by this Robert Owens had plenty of friends tonight.



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Words: Christophe Mantis

http://www.myspace.com/robertjowens

http://www.bigchill.net/bristol

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