Review: Tama Sumo @ Undertone
Tama Sumo + Guests + Residents
Undertone, Cardiff
Friday 19th September 2014
Resident DJ at Berghain, the “world capital of techno” in Berlin, Tama Sumo brought her vinyl to Cardiff’s intimate Undertone basement in a stonking booking by promoters MOOD. Capturing the imagination of the friendly Friday crowd, she intoxicated with record boxes full of conviviality.
In a genre largely dominated by male producers, DJs and promoters, it is refreshing to see a woman on the decks and the breadth of her set proved how Tama is one of the finest ambassadors of the world techno, house and general electronic music scene. Across a mighty three-hour set in the compact, sweaty, friendly, perfect basement that is Undertone she balances the immersive mix of footstomp techno and handclap house with precision and flair, serving up rare tracks and playful pace changes that kept the room on its toes.
“I usually try to switch off my head and follow my heart - that’s it.” Happy to chat music with the Undertone regulars even during her set, her ability to feel the crowd and play to its needs is second-to-none, and this is what makes a night in her company so very unique.
Signed to Ostgut Ton, Tama isn’t a prolific producer and considering her 20-year-career hasn’t got a huge amount of recorded sets up online, yet her reputation needs no confirmation. Some of Europe’s most renowned DJs such as Ben UFO and Nick Hoppner cite her as a major influence and no smug journalistic genre label I can muster can capture the carefree, danceable glow her mixes expel.
“My intention while playing is always to bring diverse shades of electronic music on the table. For me it’s important that a track… has emotion, funk, soul, sexiness, a bit of edge and dirt, something special.”
MOOD, who celebrate their first birthday this month, have topped themselves with one of the best bookings in Cardiff this year and help to bolster Undertone’s status as the place to catch the best in local and international electronic shizz.
For upcoming nights by MOOD, check out their Facebook and for events at Undertone click here.
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4 Comments – Postiwch sylw
Sam Sprout (Editor)
Rhoddwyd sylw 19 mis yn ôl - 1st October 2014 - 12:58pm
Pictures with a review! Love it, great write up too.
Tom W
Rhoddwyd sylw 19 mis yn ôl - 2nd October 2014 - 09:29am
Such a great review. Why oh why are you leaving Cardiff? :(
CeefaxOfLife
Rhoddwyd sylw 19 mis yn ôl - 2nd October 2014 - 11:03am
So jealous! I didn't realise who Tama Sumo was, if I did I would've been straight down there! That FACT mix is well good as well. Nice one.
National Editor
Rhoddwyd sylw 19 mis yn ôl - 3rd October 2014 - 08:55am
Good work sir - economic but everything is in there. More please.