The Lucky Cloud Sound System was born in 2003 as a collective to facilitate and co host what became quarterly events with our friend and mentor David Mancuso. You can read all about LCSS’s history here, and also the lil’ tribute I wrote about David following his passing in 2016.
Over the years (or shall I say decades) I have been part of various party collectives, from Voices Collective to All Our Friends, via Beauty & the Beat of course, the party which has been my raison d’être for nearly two decades (our 20 year anniversary is coming up this June). Lucky Cloud Sound System however has always been a bit different.
There was David’s mystical aura, coupled with an intuitive ability to read the room and to impeccably program music over the course of a night.
Everyone in the collective was devoted to David and to the party.
It was also the only party (of which I was an integral part of) where I wasn’t musically hosting – and never did it cross my mind. It was the one place where all my chakras were wide open, where I was ready to travel on a magic carpet ride and get lost in music. From the first to the last record. Wouldn’t miss one bit. Those first eight years of Lucky Cloud, up to David’s “retirement”, meant the world to us. They shaped who I am today (as well as many others). I don’t think I’ve missed any party during that time; these were sacred. Pure magic.
The fact that these happened only four times a year made them even more special.
Then of course there was David’s ultimate quest for the highest and purest sound fidelity that could be achieved, without making any compromise. Klispchorns, class A amps, Koetsu cartridges and tonearms were on the menu, while a mixer definitely was not.
These combined elements created the canvas for some of the most unforgettable moments and deepest musical epiphanies I have ever experienced on a dance-floor. To this day I still find it difficult to play some of these seminal Loft classics, whether at home or at a party. Records like “Keep On” by D Train, “City, Country, City” by War or “Going Back To My Roots” by Lamont Dozier. I wouldn’t want to listen to these on a less optimal set up. The way we heard these records on the LCSS dance-floor, the way we danced to them is hard to be replicated. I think Jaminaround ’23 was probably the first time I felt all the conditions were right so that “City, Country, City” could be played, which to me is akin to having reached the holy grail.
🎈🎈
All this changed at the beginning of 2011, when David’s health deteriorated to the point he couldn’t travel any more. Though the parties continued somewhat happily for a while, it soon became clear that there was not the same anticipation before each party, and that everyone’s enthusiasm was waning. Sure there were still some great moments over the years (apart from anything else, we all wanted to keep the flame burning and carry on the legacy), but the sparkle gradually disappeared.
No more magic.
Following David’s passing in October 2016, the party declined even further. Whereas BATB’s ensuing tribute party to David was nothing short of phenomenal, the Lucky Cloud one felt stale and flat.
Lifeless.
How incredibly sad.
The new musical host (the self proclaimed prodigal child) didn’t have the same aura (which is fine, no one has the same aura as David’s), but, rather more shockingly and problematically, this was combined with a bottomless ego and a voracious appetite for gaslighting. One of the original life forces of the party, someone I had been looking up to, had morphed into a deadly worm and turned out to be a real backstabber (that’s a Loft classic after all 🤨).
That’s also a euphemism.
The most un-community people one can think of, at the opposite end of the Loft and subsequently Lucky Cloud’s guiding principles.
🤫
In hindsight, with almost everyone in the collective so unhappy, it’s a mystery how the party managed to keep going on such dire straits for that long. I for one had lost total interest in the last few years, and I was one of the ones who lasted the longest.
Love did not save the day anymore 🖤
A LCSS meeting eventually took place in the run-up to the 20th anniversary, which resulted in the collective eventually splitting into two parties. Though I wasn’t present (I had long given up all hopes for that party by that time), the majority of Lucky Cloud members decided to continue as a collective – with the notable introduction of rotating musical hosts – while the other party would be solely centred around one person (the prodigal child).
Sometime after that meeting Cyril and I were asked whether we wanted to still be part of Lucky Cloud. To be fair, I really wasn’t convinced. Given how disastrous the last few years had been on (and around) the LCSS dance-floor, and on the contrary how powerful and meaningful both AOF and BATB had become, why would we want to hang on to something that seemed long gone? Eventually Cyril and I agreed to give it a try, even if somewhat reluctantly.
🎈🎈🎈🎈
I missed the first party of this new chapter in October ’23, but word on the floor seemed to indicate that spirits were high and energy was renewed, both in the room and within the crew. When it became my turn to be one of the musical hosts alongside Guillaume Chottin for the 2024 Valentine party, I found myself not only trepidating about the party, but also thinking about potential candidates weeks in advance (something that usually doesn’t happen for other parties, except maybe for one or two records). It turned out that over the years I had subconsciously made a list in my head of records that had a Loft quality, records that I’d imagined David would have played had he known about them.
One of the main innovations of Lucky Cloud 2.0 is for the party to be ever evolving, and for the musical host(s) to create their interpretation of a Loft party with a mix of seminal Loft classics alongside future classics that fit the Loft ethos (be they old or new).
A museum it ain’t.
Despite dropping the Koetsus and replacing the M1 Mark Levinson pre amp with an Isonoe ISO420 mixer, the system has been singing better than ever (in Rose Lipman at least) thanks to a complete redesign of the dance-floor and ongoing upgrades to the amps and speakers. Most importantly. every single person involved is happy again to be part of a (real) collective, and the party was instantly rejuvenated.
That Valentine party was an absolute blast from start to finish. Lots of old faces and music heads we hadn’t seen at the party for years came back, many with kids in tow, and it really felt like a rebirth. The music selection might have been somewhat exploratory (by Lucky Cloud standards) but in being so it opened up new possible directions for the party, which Cyril took a step further when it was his turn to play in October ’24.
🎈🎈
Interestingly I can see a clear distinction between records that I play at BATB, at AOF or at Lucky Cloud. Though these parties share the same history and were built from the same matrix, they have evolved differently and followed their own rhizomes, to the point that each party has (crucially) developed its own identity.
BATB remains my home, the place with the largest canvas where we can be the most adventurous. Lots of new finds at every party (digging for new – and old – music is an integral part of what we do really), lots of 7″s and (often obscure) album cuts which were not necessarily meant to be played out are mixed with more classic dance records. Some parties might heavily reference the Loft (and/or Plastic People) , others might not. We can occasionally play an hour of reggae (or raï or zouk or Balearic French pop) and that’s totally fine. Total freedom.
At AOF it’s also the case but to a lesser degree. I would say the party is more rooted in the tradition of the Loft and Lucky Cloud, and in this aspect it is reflected in the music we play. For instance I doubt I would drop the (far out) live version of Herbie Hancock‘s “Chameleon” at peak time at AOF like I can happily do at BATB. A friend of mine who’s a regular at both parties recently told me that I play “more fun” when I play at AOF compared to BATB, and I kind of agree (of course this doesn’t mean BATB is no fun, just a notch more adventurous ☄️)
Finally, while many of these records do overlap between the parties, only the very best of them (sonically at least) will make it to the Lucky Cloud decks. Most if not all records will have a message. They will also be played differently.
Context is everything.
🎈🎈
Last but not least, we have now reestablished our historic conversation with the NYC Loft, something that was not possible before (no prizes for guessing why). Both Douglas Sherman, who has been musically hosting the NYC Loft on and off for decades (and continued the party along the same set of principles following David’s passing) and Victor Rosado (who was a back up DJ for David at the Broadway and Avenue A locations) came to play widely acclaimed sets already, and long may this continue.
These past couple of years, both Lucky Cloud and the Loft NYC have been going stronger than ever.
Here’s to a double rebirth.
Big up to Sharon, Tim, Guillaume, Cyril and everyone else involved, and long live Lucky Cloud.
☁️ 🎈🎈☁️ 🎈🎈☁️
And shall you need any more, here’s some further reading: Tim Lawrence‘s response to a misinformed Guardian article on clubbing in general and Lucky Cloud in particular.
Cedric,
It is genuinely saddening to read such a negative and, in places, dismissive reflection shared in this way.
From memory, your presence around LCSS in the years following David’s passing was limited, aside from the van runs. You were rarely on the dancefloor, rarely part of the ongoing effort to hold the space, and largely absent from the day-to-day reality many of us continued to experience. That context matters when making broad claims about what the collective was feeling or living through.
For example, the suggestion that “almost everyone” in the collective was unhappy, or that the party survived in “dire straits”, is difficult to reconcile with the reality many of us witnessed. While those years were undeniably challenging, a committed group of people continued to give their time, energy, and care to sustain Lucky Cloud. Many still found meaning, connection, and yes — joy — on that dancefloor. Personal disengagement does not necessarily reflect the broader experience of the community.
Similarly, I do not recognise the claim that volunteers were being lost during that period, other than from your immediate circle. The collective continued to be supported by people who showed up consistently and worked hard to carry things forward through a delicate transition.
I must also address the characterisation of the “new musical host.” The remarks made about Colleen are factually incorrect and deeply disrespectful. She stepped into an immensely difficult role at a time when many others stepped back, carrying significant responsibility during a fragile period. No one could replicate David, nor was that ever the point. His teachings were never about imitation or ownership, but about love, humility, openness, and community — values that can manifest in different ways through different people. Disagreement is natural; personal denigration is not.
More broadly, I recall you sharing with me at WoH your view that Colleen was better suited to larger environments. Perhaps this reflects a difficulty in accepting that there is no single way to carry David’s spirit forward. His legacy was never about hierarchy, ego, or division, but about holding space for one another with respect and care.
It is also important to correct the suggestion that the majority of Lucky Cloud members chose to continue as a collective. That is not accurate. The split was, in reality, far more even, reflecting a community navigating a complex and emotional moment rather than a simple majority moving in one direction.
I also want to address the events surrounding the meeting in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary. At the time, we were told that Tim and Jem had not constructed the split. However, for those of us present, it was clear that conversations had taken place beforehand and that positions were already formed. Reading your recent account, it appears that what we were told then may not have been the full picture. That is disappointing — not because disagreement or change is wrong, but because openness and trust were always meant to be central to how this community functioned.
What feels most troubling is not that perspectives differ — that is inevitable — but the tone of judgement and dismissal. It sits uneasily with the compassion, generosity, and sense of community that David encouraged in all of us.
History deserves honesty, but also fairness, perspective, and respect for those who remained present and continued the work when it mattered most.
Hey Darren,
Thank you for reading and taking the time to write such a long reply. We have known each other for close to 25 years now and shared many a seminal moment on the dance-floor so that’s always valuable.
Just to be clear, I stand by everything I said in this post. I was not involved in the meeting that saw the party split but my understanding afterwards is that people desired more sharing and equality and Colleen wanted complete control as ever. I was there and fully involved since the inception of Lucky Cloud and for a good few years after David’s passing, until I found out the scale of the false narrative, backstabbing and gaslighting being spread. Definitely not what David had wished to create. Lots of ego, denigration, lack of connection and generosity instead. So I think the split was driven by people who witnessed all this toxicity and wanted better values.
It’s not something I was pleased to write about, though it’s been on my mind for a long time. I know you know that there’s a lot more to be said and it could have gone a lot further – that might be for another time. People on my side of the fence (is it only half of the group? I’d say it’s a lot more) definitely saw no community (such an abused word in this case), no humility, no love, and no, no openness. Pretty much the opposite in fact as it’s well known that lots of time and energy have been spent in attempting to control whatever is perceived as a threat (though threat to what still remains a mystery). Hours spent in person or on the phone or by email throwing mud and hate around, in the name of ownership. “You can’t use this name, you can’t play there, you cannot appear in this magazine, you can’t throw that party, you can’t do this tribute, nor that collaboration, nor use balloons (sic),…”. As unbelievable at this might sound, these are all plain facts.
The dissing and gaslighting behind backs has been going on for decades, since pretty much the beginnings of Lucky Cloud, unfortunately including all the projects I have been involved with (voices, batb, brillant corners, aof, international gigs even) as well as countless individual DJs I won’t be naming here. It is still ongoing to this day as people don’t fail to let me know regularly.
I have felt quite disheartened for a few years but I now feel lucky to be surrounded by amazing people who really try their best to support each other and spread love. Hate has been saving the day for some others, not love. You might have chosen to ignore it and that’s your choice. But my position is only based on what’s been done and said. I felt only toxicity and it has affected me and others badly. Some of the outrageous claims made about me have at times plunged me into dangerously depressive depths. It’s only my experience though so don’t let it make you too sad.
Ultimately, I think it’s great that there are now two parties and everyone is happy.
Dear Darren,
There’s a lot that has been said, and even more that could be said. We’ve known each other for 22-23 odd years through Lucky Cloud, and I have always liked you. I have nothing personal against you, Colleen, Adam or anyone else within the London Loft community. I am genuinely happy for and wish your collective every success.
I can also understand where Cedric’s and others’ frustration and grievances come from. They come from 12 years of being very supportive to Colleen, as the “successor” to David in London, during a time when they felt less and less looked after on the dancefloor and on a personal level. I can certainly vouch for the former, which is why I stopped going after 2016.
If someone had experienced the ongoing and systematic discreditation and sabotage that Cedric claims to have experienced, they would be much more vociferous. It is a credit to Cedric’s peace loving and laid back nature that he hasn’t said anything publicly until recently, and didn’t say anything about this to me for 15 years (‘til 2023).
Contrast that with a meeting I had with someone here in Athens a couple of weeks ago, a person who by their own admission is not close to Colleen, but who seemed to have been given a lot of detailed, negative information about a number of people I consider to be my friends. Why?
I think, in order to try to understand this, it is instructive to look at Tim’s response to Joe Muggs’ guardian piece where he says: “Arriving in London from NYC in 2003, Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy started a series of members-only dances with her friend and colleague David Mancuso – who had been throwing NYC’s legendary Loft parties on and off since 1969 – with an emphasis strongly on community and continuity with disco and house music history.”
I asked Colleen’s partner Adam (a former PR professional, who, in all likelihood, has a few contacts in the media) 3 times in your FB thread if that info had come from either of them, something which he failed to deny. This strongly suggests that this information did come from him.
It is clear that the above statement (from the guardian) diminishes David’s legacy (he didn’t have his parties “on and off” – he had over 1000 parties between 1970 and 1994) and fails to acknowledge David’s role as the originator of Lucky Cloud – the one who had the idea and enrolled others into bringing it to fruition. The above two points are beyond any dispute. Also beyond dispute, are Tim’s credentials on the subject matter, as someone who values and is committed to upholding David’s contribution and legacy.
Putting aside the fact that Joe’s piece (which Adam has failed to deny came from him) diminishes the very legacy that Colleen claims to uphold, let’s go onto Tim’s other claim, that David asked him to make the parties happen. This is something that Tim mentioned to me as far back as 2004, during one of the many interviews he had conducted with David.
I’m not going to get into “the email that proves everything”. I hope it will be made public and believe that it will prove nothing. I think it’s being used as more PR by Adam, and to discredit Tim and Jem, with some people in your circle claiming that they (and others), refered to as “the Boys Club” are motivated by misogyny and don’t want Colleen to succeed for that reason – complete and utter nonsense.
Cedric’s recounting is 100% consistent with my experience, as is Tim’s response to Joe Muggs’ guardian piece.
In your FB post, some people responded with quite appalling claims that people are out to get Colleen because they are misogynists. Far from it, I believe everyone is happy that Colleen is doing well (myself included). Whether they wanted her to be the only one who would play at the Loft, post Mancuso is another matter altogether and it is not personal. oreover, this is not a situation which others brought to Colleen. It is a situation that Colleen brought to the collective – a collective which, despite this, supported her, and gave her the platform for her to get to where she is now.
Nobody is jealous of Colleen. They just wish she would stop with the victimhood, slander and appropriation of David’s legacy for personal gain. There is no need for it and it doesn’t serve anyone – least of all other women, who she claims to support and be a stand for.
I wish you and everyone in the London Loft community joy, happiness and every success.
As David used to sign off with,
Peace and blessings,
Leo