Review: System presents Cocoon @ Mint Warehouse

Image: System

There's always a real buzz when the Cocoon crew come to town. A strong partnership between Cocoon, System and the Mint team in Leeds has meant for many a special night in the past at Mint Club, showcasing the talents of Loco Dice, Ricardo Villalobos and Papa Sven himself. This time, however, it was again Mint Warehouse that was to provide the base for Ricardo's return to the city, alongside close label mates Raresh and Onur Ozer. 

As always Cocoon had brought with it a strong turnout, clear to see from the queue trailing down the road from the main doors. A busy crowd had quickly warmed up the warehouse and on entry the cold air outside was forgotten of in an instant. Raresh and Onur Ozer had already teamed up behind the decks, armed with a collection of vinyl that so distinctively came to prove why the Cocoon label is so much loved. 

From the off our fists were pumping to a fantastic mix of techno and house, laced with groovy melodies and thumping bass-lines. The two took turns to carefully work together top quality tunes that meant for a proper party on the dance-floor in the industrial Mint Warehouse, lit up only by bright flashes of white light from the front and the occasional strobe. Their mixing was impeccable, their tunes were consistently great as they moved from deeper flavours through to more powerful, and the energy of the crowd was constantly on a high; the perfect way to spend a solid three hours partying prior to the arrival of Ricardo Villalobos.

The man of the night set about demonstrating his musical talent, and led us through a journey of stripped back techno, characterised by quirky instrument samples layered over stripped back techno beats. He even treated us to a bit of jazz in the form of what is proving to be one of his current favourites, Mike Shannon & Dewalta's 'Cruise Ship' feat. Danuel Tate, which boasts a dreamy saxophone piece (listen above). 

Villalobos proceeded to lay down much more powerful techno that oozed euphoria and had all hands in the air, before bringing it back down a peg or two to that of the more barren soundscape he has become synonymous with. This ability to manipulate the movement of musical energy ranging from interesting, trippy minimal grooves all the way up to pounding techno, meant for never a dull moment and represents why he is thought so highly of as a DJ. 

It was a pleasure to see Villalobos back representing Cocoon through the System and Mint family and it was even more of a pleasure to see him on top form under the roof of Mint Warehouse, not forgetting the powerful warm-up from label regulars Raresh and Onur Ozer. And so the countdown to the next Mint Cocoon party commences...

For more events at the Mint Warehouse head here.

Like this? Try Preview: Cocoon London w/ Sven Vath and Joris Voorn.