We Just Keep Bubblin' Up - Aniff Akinola, Music Video
Rediscovering 1986: Aniff Akinola and the Manchester Acid House Scene
Earlier this year, our friends at Black Arm connected us with music legend Aniff Akinola—a pioneer of the UK Acid House sound, perhaps best known for his work on "Voodoo Ray"—to collaborate on a unique project. The goal was to produce a music video for his latest track, "We Just Keep Bubblin' Up," that serves as both a musical experience and a time capsule of Manchester’s underground history.Restoring Lost Club Culture
Aniff provided us with rare archive footage from 1986, captured at the legendary 8411 Club in Manchester’s Moss Side Precinct. This footage features the "Shufflin' Crew" dancing to original Acid House tracks. Our challenge was to meticulously restore this historical footage, retiming and selecting shots to sync perfectly with the rhythm of "We Just Keep Bubblin' Up."To provide historical context, we developed a graphical style inspired by retro Ceefax broadcasts and classic gaming aesthetics. This blend of analog nostalgia and modern editing creates a visual treat that honors the early UK house music movement.
About "We Just Keep Bubblin' Up"
BLURB TAKEN FROM ANIFF'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL"We Just Keep Bubbling Up" features all the classic Aniff signatures: that deep, dark, and gritty trademark spoken vocal. The track is made for the shuffling crew, complete with an obligatory old-school Acid House bouncing bassline and a Chip E. "Like This" vibe. Don't forget that Aniff co-wrote and produced the UK acid anthem "Voodoo Ray" by A Guy Called Gerald, a track that US pioneers still hold in high regard. As an outspoken champion of UK underground music, Aniff explains the deep, meaningful story behind this new release:
"This track is a celebration of how I see music coming full circle, reinventing itself. The shuffling craze means a lot to me—I ended up in the music business because I loved dancing. Seeing 14-year-olds shuffling or doing footwork, as we used to call it in 1985, is just brilliant. Any art form that empowers a shy teenager to share their moves on YouTube is a great achievement.
I also wanted to name-check some pioneers in Manchester, the North West, and the Midlands who embraced Acid House and garage from the very start in 1985. I hope people will research the real story of how house started in the UK with pioneering DJs like Colin Curtis, DJ Parrot, and Jonathan Rock City. The footage accompanying the song is from September 1986, filmed at the 8411 Club, featuring Foot Patrol and Mike Shaft playing over 40 minutes of Acid House unearthed by Greg Wilson and A Guy Called Gerald, starring 'Where's my keys, where's my phone' Mr. Zippah Taffari."
Further Reading and Viewing
GREG WILSON: CUTTING SHAPESHow House Music Really Hit the UK
CHANNEL 4: THE HOUSE THAT HOUSE BUILT
Watch the Documentary