London collective Percolate have made a fair name for themselves as far as London clubbing is concerned. Their 2015 season alone will play host to the likes of Moodymann, Andrés, and Jeremy Underground to name a few, but first up is an 8-hour session from Leon Vynehall at Studio Spaces E2. One of the quickest-rising names in recent times, Vynehall’s proficiency behind the decks and exceptional productions have earned him lofty regard, most notably 2014’s Music for the Uninvited.

It’s just gone 11pm and two flights up we find ourselves, sweating, smiling and in amongst it. Though it’s early doors, the air’s heavy with happy, and there’s already a solid mass of movers stepping to Afro and Latin-soaked flavours. Tom Browne’s ‘Funkin’ for Jamaica’ elicits the first hearty roar of the night, as Vynehall edges things up into soul and disco territory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBWHTVMnut4

Stocky basslines, dusty guitar licks and mucky drum tracks are at the forefront for the duration of the evening, Was (Not Was)’ ‘Wheel Me Out’ churning out somewhere in and amongst. Late on, Maurice Fulton’s remix of DJ Nori’s ‘Happy Sunday’ yields the most heartfelt hollers, and serves to pivot the vibe in a deeper direction. Towards the end some industrious raver manages to crack one of the windows, allowing a brief but blissful respite from the soaring temperatures, with proceedings ultimately rounded off with resounding team renditions of ‘Once In A Lifetime’ by Talking Heads, and Hot Chocolate’s ‘Every 1’s a Winner’.

Masterfully frugal with his selections, Vynehall maintained an expert tension from start to finish, topped off by a surprise back-to-back bout with Braiden in the closing hours. The white walls, exposed rafters and minimal lighting lent a cosy, house party feel to the affair, a fact magnified by the all-together-now gusto of those in attendance.

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