For the last 17 years the high profile former pirate station, Rinse FM, has constantly pushed and represented underground London, but they were never the only pirate operation on the FM dial that served up fresh, interesting new music daily. With Rinse now a legit operation, broadcasting out across the city, there’s a spot at the summit of our capital’s pirate community that’s aching to be filled. After some time in the wilderness, one station making powerful waves again is Déjà Vu – a crew we introduced you to in a roundabout way with Ralph LTF’s SR Mix, #92 and our feature on Spooky.

Formed in the late ’90s, Déjà spent the early part of the last decade as one of grime and garage’s most notorious hubs, playing host to shows by N.A.S.T.Y. Crew, Meridian Crew (JME and Skepta’s pre-Roll Deep home), Essentials and more. If you’re into grime, chances are you’ve seen the infamous footage of Dizzee Rascal and Crazy Titch’s confrontation in an East London tower block – that was taken outside Déjà’s home at the time. But as grime’s star ascended out from beyond the underground, Déjà’s profile began to fade.

In the last couple of years however, the station has returned to prominence, showcasing the rawer side of UK house (something which, unfortunately, has far less of a presence on Rinse than it did this time last year) with DJs like Eastwood & LR Groove, Weeksey, Rudimental’s Locksmith, Whitecoat and Smoove Kriminal manning some of the station’s most popular shows. In the last couple of months, the station has also recruited Spooky, Slackk, the Local Action label and London clubnight Wifey for regular slots, while the R&B, old school shows and chat shows are amongst the best you’ll find on London’s dial.

This Friday, Déjà Vu celebrates the Bank Holiday weekend with Square Biz, a station showcase across both rooms of Clerkenwell’s Fluid Bar. Sets come from DJ Dlux, Mikey Futuristic, Joshua Jones, Tommy Sparks, Phil Bliss and Jammin in Room 1, while the rawer Room 2 features Eastwood & LR Groove, Rudimental, Weeksey, Smoove Kriminal, Local Action resident DJ Laizi, Tallman Stretch and Wifey’s Ralph LTF and RK. To cement the occasion in internet folklore, Déjà DJs Eastwood (pictured) and LR. Groove have split mix duties, both providing a half hour insight into the blend of flavours you can expect from their show, The East & Groove Show, and from the general 4×4 arm of the station.

http://www.sonicrouter.com/2011/08/sr-mix-96-lr-groove-dj-eastwood-deja-vu/

LR. Groove section tracklist:

1. Andy Jay & S-Tee – Spiralling
2. Hagan – God Bless House
3. LR.Groove – Bush Man
4. DJ Trizzy – Bamboo Groove
5. LR.Groove – Quick
6. Vandalism & Angger Dimas – She Got It
7. Razzlerman – Renk Dread (Taza Refix)
8. LR.Groove – Child’s Play
9. LR.Groove & Razzlerman – Cyber Link
10. LR.Groove – Deep In The Bush
11. LR.Groove- Over Come
12. LR.Groove & DJ Young One – 1st Step

Eastwood section tracklist:

1. DJ Eastwood – Me nah ave no name but m heavy u zimmie
2. T.williams – Hearbeat (Paul Woolford remix)
3. Naughty Raver – Bass Slave
4. DJ Eastwood – Toilet Blocker
5. Jook10 – Hazard
6. Formula Music – Trapped
7. Alpha27 – Cannon Fodder
8. Mosca – Bax
9. Lil Silva – Cheese n bun
10. Redlight – Source 16
11. Zander Hardy – In The Deep
12. Formula Music – Bass Killer
13. Ill Blu – Monsta
14. Shay N Sinista – Car Jack
15. Shortstuff – What mickey talking about
16. Ill Blu – Meltdown
17. DJ Eastwood – Oh Yh
18. DJ Eastwood – Piggy Bank

http://www.sonicrouter.com/