A long time ago on a dance floor far, far away...

Episode I - The Phunkshun Menace!

The original (and best some might say) jazz, funk, hip-hop and rare groove experience that Northampton had ever seen!  Running for two years between 93-95 at the peak of the Acid Jazz revival, Fat Jam set the standard in the locality that ALL others have tried to follow.

Fat Jam was conceived by Nene College student Angus Beaumont, as a summer project for his business studies degree.  After a couple of well received Thursday night events, Northampton's Roadmender gave Angus the opportunity to stage a Friday night event in the bar area of the venue.  Enter at this  point Ski & B aka Funk by Funk who had been invited down to the night on recommendation by a mutual friend.  After a first successful booking headlining in the bar area, Angus, Ski and B hooked up some ideas, flyer designs and called up some contacts to take the night to the next level.

From this point Fat Jam launched into a two room affair attracting between 600 and 700 funky peeps every month, bringing the biggest names from the scene to Northampton's back yard including Andy Smith (Portishead), Snowboy, DJ D-Zire (Jamaraqui), Dodge & I.G., Andy Fairclough (P.M. Beatside), Norman Jay, Femi (Young Disciples) and Kevin Beadle (Skint) in addition to residents Funk by Funk and Angus.  After two years of furious funky fun, Angus decided to call it day and so Fat Jam went out with a bang on it's second birthday night with a special appearance from the Jazzcotech dancers.  Still remembered and rejoiced, we thank you Fat Jam for showing us the way...

Episode IV - A New Hope!

A few years pass and Club Toast supremo Strat 'a' g is looking to diversify his range of nights by dipping his toe into the funky waters.  Ski & B had  been busy fulfilling DJ obligations up and down the UK whilst hosting thier show on Inspiration fm when Strat 'a' g approached them for ideas for a new project and to help co-ordinate it under the Toast 2000 banner.

Funk by Funk's original concept became...  Groove Connection - Northampton's premiere night of funk, latin, hip-hop, jazzy beats and party vibes.  Again, humble beginnings in Nene College, Avenue Campus NUS with a door of 120, within 3 events the night got so big, Groove Connection was forced to find a new home at Northampton's fledgling "The Venue".  Groove Connection was the first to bring Northampton The Outbreak DJ Collective (Fusion/Yo-Mo-Fo), Pleasure Beach (Acid Jazz), Andy Lewis (Blow Up/Spearmint), Kris Quadraphonic (Magic Bus DJ's/Beatnick Butterfly) with 18 months of nights where the dance floor moved to the sounds of funk, hip-hop and latin.

Episode V - The Empire Strikes Phat!

Running independently from Groove Connection, Off The Wall followed a similar music policy as Groove Connection, with the emphasis on Disco, Boogie and live break dance performance.  Born from Helen Parlor and Keith Jarret's frustration at "not being able to hear good music in Milton Keynes", Off The Wall brought some of the country’s best b-boy crews to the area, including the Scarecrowz, Second to None and Tru-Masters - all of which have made countless TV, music video and film appearances. Supplementing the Off The Wall soundtrack of Funk, Boogie, Disco and classic Hip-Hop have been Funk bands, Latin DJ’s and Beyond The Force (a fantastic human beat box duo).  Acclaimed as THE "buzz" night on the street, Off The Wall, broke boundaries and paved the way for more recent nights in it's forward thinking combination of street dance and classic groove.

Episode VI - Return of the Flud(i)!

Originally the sequel night to Groove Connection, built on the foundations that Groove Connection l

aid, with a two room policy of hardcore jazz, funk, hip hop, latin and fusion with established DJ's from acclaimed nights throughout the UK.  With appearances from Eddie Piller (Acid Jazz), Dean Rudland (Blue Note/BGP), Chubby Grooves (Fat City Records) and George & Bones (Big Daddy/Grand Slam), the goal was always to bring our favorite DJ's to play in our own back yard.  Originally a night in it's own right, the concept behind the club was always bigger than the some total of the events.  Thus, continues by working with other promoters to create events that encompass our original blueprint - acclaimed DJ's, hard & funky music, street dance and party vibes.  For the latest info on our current co-promotions, please visit our events page.