Imagine a club that wasn’t a club. It was a house party but lots of people came. And didn’t smash the place.
They were there for the music.

Imagine a club where the most important thing (after the music) was the sound.
And the host spent time and money on making it perfect.
And used only the best equipment.
Right down to the needles.

Imagine a club where the mood was so important that they didn’t mix the records.
Because that would spoil them.

Imagine a club where the selection was everything and records were sought out and crafted.
So you could always hear something new and different.
But perfect for the mood.
A club where people listened to the music.

Which was extraordinary – here are 5 choice Mancuso cuts:

Barrabas – Woman

Babe Ruth – The Mexican

MFSB – Love Is The Message

Manu Dibango – Soul Makossa

War – City Country City

Imagine a club not restricted to dance music but where quality jazz, cosmic rock and new age could add to the mix like these three did:

Johnny Hammond – Les Conquistadores Chocolates

Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays As Falls Wichita

Van Morrison – Astral Weeks

Imagine a club where almost all the most important DJs of their generation (Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Franois Kevorkian, David Morales, Danny Krivitt) came to worship the vibes and the music.
And to learn.
And where there was a small shrine “to the ancestors” set up at every night.

Imagine a club where the host invited every guest personally, and where he served freshly squeezed orange juice.
And decorated for a party.

So he could deliver on his mantra:
"It's a vibe. You're having a peace of mind or you're not. Usually the more you shed your ego, the more peace of mind you will have. The music... that's what it allows us to be, free. The Loft parties doesn't function about how good the DJ is-it's about the music”

It sounds too good to be true.
It sounded too good as well.
It was the Loft in new York City.

And its founder – David Mancuso – passed away last week.
But arguably he founded modern club culture.

So he might just be as important as Prince or Bowie.

- TH