Optimo (Auntie Flo's Tribute to Keith remix)
My brand new remix of Liquid Liquid's Optimo - is available to download, raising money for the Brains Trust
This was the moment: when Jonnie Wilkes held aloft a framed picture of his DJ partner of 28 years, Keith Mcivor, to an emotional and reverent London dance floor at the Jazz Cafe last Friday, a mere seven days after Keith had passed.
I’ve no idea how Jonnie has been dealing with the maelstrom of recent events but his DJ set was the perfect way for us on the dancefloor to pay our upmost respects to a man that defined the night club experience more than perhaps any other figure.
It’s been almost overwhelming to read the tributes written about Keith over the past couple of weeks. The man touched so many around the world with his approach to music and generosity of his spirit.
I wrote my own a few months ago, when I first heard of his brain cancer diagnosis:
We Are All Optimo's Children
Like many of my friends and peers, I was left reeling with the devastating news of Keith McIvor’s terminal diagnosis: a brain tumour that is incurable and, baring a miracle, an abrupt end to his music career. I dearly hope he manages to live for as long as possible, and gains some satisfaction from the thousands of messages of love and thanks he’ll undo…
Perhaps the only comparable event in my memory was the passing of Andrew Weatherall, and to me, both serve as a reminder of what this thing called club culture is all about - defined as a counter culture social movement, in defiance from rampant commercialism and the mainstream behemoth, which now, more than any point in my lifetime, manages to subsume the ‘underground’ bubble - tragically blurring the lines for many youngsters who now struggle to see any fence, let alone get to choose which side of it they are on.
His legacy will and must live on!
This Auntie Flo remix of Liquid Liquid’s Optimo track is my tribute to Keith Mcivor, with the attempt of capturing the wild euphoric energy that he brought to dancefloors around the world.
I played it during my set at the Sub Club, Glasgow at the weekend, which was a venue that Keith played more than any other. .
Keith was not only an inspiration for his love and approach to DIY music culture, but also for his generosity when it came to raising money for a number of charities over the years.
The first person who heard it was his DJ partner of 28 years, Jonnie Wilkes, who gave it his blessing and recommended the Brains Trust as a charity that proceeds will go to.
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE BRAIN CANCER TRUST
Auntie Flo Live at the Jazz Cafe
One quick mention - hoping you can join me at the Jazz Cafe for the Birds Of Paradise album launch on the 23rd Oct. I’m forming a band for this one off event, which now includes an all-star cast - Andrew Ashong and Moncaya on vocals, Ziggy on guitar, Cyrus Atkinson on keys and Sarathy Korwar on drums. Sijya provides live support and Andrew Ashong will be DJing too!
If you’ve been into any of my music over the years, this is the one not to miss…
For those in Scotland, catch me at Sneakys Edinburgh 17th Oct and Fat Sam’s Dundee 18th Oct.
More dates to be announced soon :)