Brian Tappert / Traxsource Launch Review

December 28, 2004 5:37 PM
by

Known throughout the world as one of the premier nightspots in the United States, South Beach epitomizes the energy and beauty of the Greater Miami nightlife.

There is one venue in particular that has held a special place in the hearts of many Miami clubbers. Beyond the double wooden doors on Miami Beach’s 15th and Washington, where the old Shadow Lounge proudly stood, Amika now holds court.

Before arriving at Amika, I attended the Yale Mortgage Christmas party at the Eden Roc hotel. Along with some fellow board members, we stuffed our faces with the smorgasbord placed upon our plates.

Alas, we also cringed at the music being played. Typical office party music. All that was about to change as my group entered through Amika’s doors.

We arrived around 12:15 am and in front door was a sizeable group of beautiful women and well dressed men trying to get into the venue. The hostess at the door, with the guest-list, at times was overwhelmed with patrons screaming out their names.

Upon entering, a bikini fashion show had just begun. The central bar alongside the main room wall became the runway for the scantily clad vixens. Cameras were a’ flashin, men were grinning and nudging each other commenting at the beautiful women.

Another typical Friday night at Amika. What was atypical about this evening though, was the fantastic guest dj that took control of the decks: Brian Tappert.

Brian Tappert, co-owner of the critically acclaimed record label Soulfuric Recordings, and one-half of the production/dj’ing duo “Cleptomaniacs” along with John “Julius” Knight, orchestrated a soul-stirring, body shaking soulful house set that had the crowd aching for more.

Having DJ’ed in some of the world’s elite clubs: Ministry of Sound (London), Pacha (Ibiza), etc, Brian Tappert electrified the capacity room crowd at Amika and proved, again, why he is one of House music’s premier dj/producers.

Soulful house classics were resonating through the speakers all night long. From Eddie Amador’s “House Music”, “Strings of Life” by Soul Central, to Donna Allen’s “He is the Joy”, produced by Brian Tappert and long-time friend and partner Marc Pomeroy under the “Urban Blues Project” moniker, the large crowd was indeed feeling that “spiritual thing.”

During Tappert’s set, the vibe at Amika was quickly building up. The “Kryogenic” smoke machines were blasting the hot crowd with its cool mist while foamy bubbles poured out of the ceiling as the Amika dancers were putting on a show.

The dancers put on a show of their own. Wearing small mini-skirts. Wearing glow in the dark outfits. Twirling batons. Wearing skintight red tops and shorts. Some of the hottest dancers in the clubbing community, bar none.

Further helping to create that “vibe” that Amika has been expressing ever since its opening was the percussionist. Throughout Brian Tappert’s and Shawn Rudnick’s sets, his pounding evoked energy in the crowd and enthusiasm among the djs

Scattered throughout the crowd were several of our very own locals… Cue, Sammy O and Ani Phearce (who later took control of the lights).

At the culmination of Brian Tappert’s set, Julius Knight, who came out to support his long time partner, stood beside him in the booth and worked on the decks for a bit. Pure magic.

Kicking it up a few notches, Resident DJ Shawn Rudnick assumed the decks. As one of Miami’s well-known dj/producers, he has indeed earned a positive reputation in the Miami club scene from fans and industry professionals alike. Whether at Nikki Beach, Crobar, Opium Garden, Cafeteria, to his residency at Amika; Shawn Rudnick delivers.

Latin house, tribal and classics, it was as if Shawn was teaching “House 101” and the crowd was his pupil. From Depeche Mode to Duran Duran’s “Save a Prayer,” he was indeed teaching some history as well.

Deepsky’s “Talk like a stranger” –skylark vocal mix, Whitestripe’s “Seven Nation Army,” and my favorite track of his set, “Get up” by Project, completed the lesson for the evening.

As I left with my group that evening, the party was still in full force. A plethora of hot blondes had converged upon the dj booth, and started to dance atop of the table.

Again, another Friday night at Amika. I overhead one appreciative guest remark: “I have been out of the club scene for quite a while……Amika and parties like tonight will have me back in the scene in no time…… the vibe here is second to none.” I couldn’t agree with him more.