Thursday, 8 October 2026

The air on Thursday, October 8th, hummed with a varied sonic tapestry, Point Blank once again serving up the kind of deep dives and unexpected turns that keep the heads tuned in. It was a day where the spirit of proper underground music was not just maintained but expanded upon, moving from soulful house to genre-bending odysseys and back to the dancefloor's most refined corners.

Zaki’s Show kicked things off with an immediate warmth, "Promised Land" from House Gospel Choir an opener that felt less like a beginning and more like an affirmation. The early groove from Lorenz Rhode's "One in a Million" kept the energy buoyant before an intriguing left turn into Whodini's "Friends", a brief but potent nod to classic hip-hop that felt perfectly out of place, in the best possible way. The set then settled into a comfortable, expansive house rhythm with Lemych and White Elephant, eventually building to a powerful vocal crescendo with House Gospel Choir again, this time with Beverley Knight on the Jordss Remix of "Optimistic", before musclecars and D.P.V. rounded things off with a sophisticated, driving close.

Marky Mark, as ever, delivered a masterclass in sonic wanderlust, stretching the definition of a radio set across a breathtaking expanse of genres. He began with a surprisingly mellow, almost lounge-like opening, ushering in the likes of Breakestra and Billy Joel, a move that immediately signalled this would be no ordinary journey. The curveballs kept coming, from the understated jazz fusion of Tania Maria to the cinematic scope of Webster Wraight Ensemble, slowly gathering momentum through the hazy, psychedelic textures of Kid Loco and Lemon Jelly. It was a deliberate, unhurried build, weaving from Giorgio Moroder's evocative "Istanbul Opening" through the progressive rock meanderings of Traffic and Chicago.

Then, with an expert hand, Marky Mark pivoted. The latter half of his set became a joyous excavation of classic soul and disco. Richie Havens and Gladys Knight & The Pips brought a foundational groove, leading into the irresistible pull of Barry Biggs and the West India Company. The energy soared as he hit "Theme From Shaft" and the pure exuberance of Village People, culminating in that undeniable anthem, The Source featuring Candi Staton's "You Got The Love". To finish, a final unexpected swerve into early '90s club history with Culture Beat and D.O.P., a testament to a DJ unafraid to traverse decades and genres with unapologetic style.

Damian Charles kept his contribution concise and impactful. A single, perfectly chosen cut: Declan McDermott's "Why Don’t You Believe Me?", delivered through the lens of a DJ Nature Remix. It was a deep, emotive piece, allowing the track's intricate rhythms and soulful undertones to truly breathe, a testament to the power of a singular, well-executed statement.

Paul C picked up the baton with a steady hand, unfolding a house narrative that started deep and soulful with Delavelour and Fred Everything – the kind of track that washes over you rather than hitting hard. The set progressed through the subtly insistent grooves of Megatronic/Natasha Diggs and Franksen, maintaining a consistent, sophisticated energy. Fort Romeau and Irdor nudged things into a slightly more hypnotic, driving territory before Nacho Marco offered a melodic reprieve. The latter half saw a tasteful blend, from Dave Angel’s "Réflexion" hinting at tougher edges, to Rode Zayas bringing a jazzy swing, finally culminating in the undeniable energy of Basement Jaxx’s "Do Your Thing", an extended mix that ensured the set finished on a high.

Clint Tee closed out the day with a masterclass in vocal and soulful house, a testament to the enduring power of classic club sounds, polished for the modern ear. He opened with Twisted House’s "Take Me Home", setting an immediate tone of uplifting groove that only intensified with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Terry Hunter's remix of "What’s Up"—a track that shimmered with Chicago house pedigree. Venessa Jackson and Corey Holmes kept the vocal harmonies flowing, leading into the deeper, spoken-word infused "Now, Pause…" remix from Tour-Maubourg. Dave Lee, under his Prospect Park alias, delivered a characteristically rich "Our Love", cementing the set's classic credentials. As the night drew on, Clint Tee consistently delivered, from Marc Cotterell’s vital 2026 Vocal Club Mix to the legendary touch of DJ Spen and MicFreak on Ronnie Herel’s "The Mood", and Kai Alcé’s deep, soulful take on Harley&Muscle. It was a journey rich in feeling, peaking with the pure uplift of Micky More & Andy Tee and Sheree Hicks before Stacy Kidd and DAN:ROS brought it all home with raw, unadulterated house music.