Melbourne Breaks Unite has become an annual event where DJs, live acts, producers and promoters unite across the various crews of the breaks scene in Melbourne, Australia, for a good cause.

The first MBU was held at Easter in 2005 at Brown Alley and the good cause was to foster good karma and relationship building, bridge communication gaps between crews, share ideas, and play a variety of dance music. The plan worked and close to 700 people attended the party which featured local breakbeat DJs over three rooms. Eight crews were involved with the event and the support everyone showed for one another was heartwarming to say the least. Performers and punters alike agreed that Melbourne had, and continues to have, something special.

2006 sees the event move in the direction originally intended by those behind it. From now on, Melbourne Breaks Unite will be a 100% charity event for causes of their choice. From this year on, all door proceeds and CD sales will go to a charity.

The chosen charity for 2006 is the Starlight Foundation, an organization MBU feel helps the community in an enormous capacity by its work with sick children in hospitals around Australia and the world.

The event has also changed this year to encompass all styles of the broken beat, allowing the entire beat community of Melbourne to come together and enjoy music spanning from drum'n'bass to hip hop to funk to dancehall. This year the MBU organisers have also put together a MBU CD featuring new sounds by Melbourne breaks producers, allowing them to be included in this unification across crews and beat genres.

You can support this great cause by attending the Melbourne Breaks Unite party on Saturday 29 April at the Mercat Cross Hotel, Melbourne. The event commences at 5pm and runs through to 7am. Entry is $10 General or $15 Entry with CD. All the DJs and live acts are performing for free, so every cent of your entrance fee goes to charity. That's a party with a warm inner glow!

RA interviewed a selection of the nearly 50 local DJs and live acts who will be playing on the night. Read on to learn about some of Melbourne's best...

DJ Interview #1 - Obliveus

What style of tunes will you be playing at the Melbourne Breaks Unite party - beats, breaks, d'n'b?
Funky beats, dancehall, soul and hip hop will be the name of my game on the night…actually, that’s the name of my game every night.

Is it the sound you're known for playing?
Yeah, pretty much. I also enjoy fart noises when my wife’s not paying attention.

Do you run with a crew or are you a lone wolf DJ?
Beats Working, baby; five years strong! I love my lone wolf gigs, too. I’m kind of like Kane, the wandering Kung-Fu DJ who was trained by my masters at the Hampton Park school of broken beats.

How did you get your break in the Melbourne Djing scene?
I signed up for open decks at the Laundry (Fitzroy) two weeks after moving to Melbourne from San Jose, California. The manager liked the fact that I played AC/DC, James Brown and Ozomatli to five people at 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon and began booking me regularly after that for nighttime gigs. Everything snowballed after that.

What does playing a charity event, especially across different crews, mean to you?
An event like this shows us that when we all make a stand for something together, we really can make a difference. Oftentimes, a scene can breed contempt and jealousy due to everyone trying to get their piece of the pie. We’ve thrown all that out the window with this one, and hopefully, we’ll be better for it and will know each other better when it’s finished. Plus, it’s a great cause…why wouldn’t you want to be a part of it?

What are some of the most memorable parties you have attended as:
a) A DJ? I did a warehouse party earlier this year that was ‘out-of-control/off the hook’ crazy. Went on after a good band, played 2 hours of funk, hiphop and breaks and had an absolute blast doing it. It’s the only proper warehouse party I’ve played and hopefully wont be the last.
b) A punter? 33 and 1/3 with Plump DJ’s at the Prince back in 2001 was memorable. Lee Rous rocked it in the biggest of ways.

What are your DJ aspirations for the next 12 months?
I’ve actually been trying to focus my energies as of late on my band, Auburn Sound System, but people keep booking me. STOP!!! Nah, just kidding. My aspirations are the same as they’ve been since I started spinning vinyl in nightclubs…just have fun. Period! It’s not my career, so unless I know I’m going to enjoy myself, I won’t play the gig.

Who are two of your favourite Melbourne DJs/producers, and why?
Favorite DJ: Without a doubt, Agent 86. Nigel’s got the goods. He’s technical, but never overdoes it. Always plays to the dance floor in front of him. A true professional. Others should pay more attention to him; because he owns whatever club he’s playing.

Favorite Producer: Blueprint. Glenn Rogers is brilliant. I’ve been a fan since the first time I saw him play back in 2002 and am lucky to consider such a talent as a good friend. Now if only he’d agree to remix the new Auburn Sound System track…

DJ Interview #2 - Lucas Chan

What style of tunes will you be playing at the Melbourne Breaks Unite party - beats, breaks, d'n'b?
Something downtempo-ish I imagine. I have been working on a remix for Melbourne singer/songwriter Jen Cloher; I'll probably debut this at MBU. But, as always my set will change according to the vibe of the room.

Is it the sound you're known for playing?
Sort of. I mostly play anything that could be described as breakbeat, downtempo or drum'n'bass.

Do you run with a crew or are you a lone wolf DJ?
I'm crew neutral. :)

How did you get your break in the Melbourne Djing scene?
I regularly went along to open-decks nights until someone eventually took notice of me. My first big gig was at War of the Worlds in 2001.

What does playing a charity event, especially across different crews, mean to you?
I think the success of the last MBU & Beat.Aid demonstrated that good things can happen when crew alliances and genre preferences are put aside in the name of charity. I'm really proud of what our community has been able to achieve when everyone's put their heads together. Events like this will always have my support.

What are some of the most memorable parties you have attended as:
a) A DJ? Fractured at Seven, LTJ Bukem at The Prince
b) A punter? NuBreed andInfusion at Sunny, Lamb at The Prince

What are your DJ aspirations for the next 12 months?
Within the next 12 months I would like to have done at least 1 live gig. I'd also like to ramp up in terms of production and perhaps start work on an album.

Who are two of your favourite Melbourne DJs/producers, and why?
Favorite DJs: Atom1 - He doesn't DJ any more, but his sets always amazed me. He is closely followed by Lynt. That man has a wicked record collection and really knows how to rock a room.
Favorite Producer: Luke Chable - Technically quite brilliant and seems to share my love for melody. :)

DJ Interview #3 - Seven

What style of tunes will you be playing at the Melbourne Breaks Unite party - beats, breaks, d'n'b?
Drum & Bass.

Is it the sound you're known for playing?
Yes, although I also play other music at my night, Anytime at Workshop.

Do you run with a crew or are you a lone wolf DJ?
I’ve been with Soundboy and DMC Records over the last 4 to 5 years, and Elementz and Bassix for a good 4 years too. More recently; I have been involved with The Operatives and Kiss FM.

How did you get your break in the Melbourne Djing scene?
After moving here from England, I played a gig at Bassment at Deep 11. Roger Blanco and JPS were there and they were starting a weekly night called Bassix. I guess they liked what I did and we went from there...

What does playing a charity event, especially across different crews, mean to you?
It means that after all the bitching, differences and politics, the Melbourne Breakbeat community can come together for a worthy cause.

What are some of the most memorable parties you have attended as:
a) A DJ? 2004 - 2005 NYD 33 1/3 at The Espy. I was playing with Fletch before Andy C and we got to play for over two hours because of missed flight. The place was going crazy!!
b) A punter? The last D&B party to be held at the infamous Hacienda back home in 97. Grooverider was on and played the remix of Bukems "Music".You could feel everyone in the venue just kind of trance out, you could see the smiles on their faces..it was a moody time for Manchester and that club so it was pretty special.

What are your DJ aspirations for the next 12 months?
To push my Kiss Fm show, and to try and play the deeper side of the music more in the clubs.

Who are two of your favourite Melbourne DJs/producers, and why?
Favorite DJ: Ransom, great party Dj.
Favorite Producer: Motive, coz he makes the best potatoes in town.

DJ Interview #4 - Guyno

What style of tunes will you be playing at the Melbourne Breaks Unite party - beats, breaks, d'n'b?
Filthy, nasty, phonkin’ bass drippin’ breakbeat.

Is it the sound you're known for playing?
Nothing else ;)

Do you run with a crew or are you a lone wolf DJ?
I run with the Gimme a Break crew amongst others but have recently turned into a bit of a lone wolf. Which also has its advantages.

How did you get your break in the Melbourne Djing scene?
With an unquenchable obsession with the broken beat and things just kinda fell into place from there. I think if you are passionate enough about anything and perhaps have a bit of a knack at what you do you can make it happen.

What does playing a charity event, especially across different crews, mean to you?
This is such an awesome event and tends to bring together people with the most positive and up for it attitude. It’s also nice to give back a little from something that has given me so much. I was just having a laugh with some mates the other day at how lucky I am to be doing what I do for a living. I draw shit by day and play music by night and usually get paid for it. I mean seriously, what a larf!!!!

What are some of the most memorable parties you have attended as:
a) A DJ? Always Gimme a Break. Sunny are always quality parties to play and Earthcore 05 was a right hoot too.
b) A punter? Sunny and 33&1/3 parties are always fun.

What are your DJ aspirations for the next 12 months?
To be honest I’m happy with how things are right now. I’m really looking forward to working with some other players I have a lot of respect for in upcoming projects so we’ll see how that goes but for now I’m content.

Who are two of your favourite Melbourne DJs/producers, and why?
Favorite DJ: Just 1 hey? Ransom! The man has skills most players will only ever dream of and is such an undefinable, eclectic player who can read a room like a clairvoyant and make it work every time. Mad respect

Favorite Producer: Blueprint a.k.a Mr Glenn Rogers. Probably don’t have to go into too much detail on this one. Anyone who has heard Blueprint play (his own works) knows what I’m talking about. The guy has just got it. As he is proving to the world as we speak. I might also add it’s nice to see two guys with such talent be so damn humble!

DJ Interview #5 - Keir

What style of tunes will you be playing at the Melbourne Breaks Unite party - beats, breaks, d'n'b?
Drum'n'Bass

Do you run with a crew or are you a lone wolf DJ?
I run a promotional outfit called ForwardFocus, and also run Blazin' at The Lounge with the KombatBass boys and play for pretty much everyone else from Elementz, 40Hz, Brokenbeat assault, and the Operatives.

How did you get your break in the Melbourne Djing scene?
My main start was with 40Hz at a Realtime event at Revolver. Big ups Ruxspin and Lex!

What does playing a charity event, especially across different crews, mean to you?
I must say I'm actually really happy to be playing this... quite proud even. It's such a great cause, I hope everyone comes and shows their love and support!

What are some of the most memorable parties you have attended as:
a) A DJ? Too many to list
b) A punter? Waay to many to list!

What are your DJ aspirations for the next 12 months?
Primarily I want to just keep pushing things as I have been for the past couple of years. I really want to aim to raise the bar a bit, so we'll see what happens. Keep your eyes and ears out for Melbourne's premier drum'n'bass and breaks event, Plus:ONE, hopefully coming in 06.

Who are two of your favourite Melbourne DJs/producers, and why?
Favorite DJ: For me it's got to be Seven and Sean. They both hold the vibe down beautifully every time.
Favorite Producer: Spherix and Motive. Worlds apart in terms of style but both unleashing some really great music.