Various - Rave Classics mp3

I found this CD at my local branch of Our Price back in my early teens, for around £5. It's one of those budget compilations that were so prevalent back in the mid-90's, but unlike so many of its ilk the tracks featured are for the most part actually decent...

Altern 8's Evapor 8 is as good a start as any for a rave CD, it's one that everyone knows yet it still manages to sound dangerous and edgy.

Ebeneezer Goode by The Shamen, well, it's not really what I would define as "rave", being more of a pop song in essence, but I suppose it's ingrained into rave culture due to its timing and image. To be honest I always skipped this one on my CD player.

Not to fear, as SL2's "DJ's Take Control" takes us back to darker territory with all the essential ingredients that make a true rave anthem. In my mind a much better track than the massive but cheesy "On A Ragga Tip".

Surprisingly the compilers chose to include the Drum & Bass dub of Cubic 22's Night In Motion. It's a deceptive title as the track is actually a stripped down minimal techno version and has nothing to do with d&b at all (indeed the track was released in 1991, long before d&b was even born as a style). This version really sounds fresh and could be played in a set today without anyone associating it with oldschool thanks to a restrained approach.

Next up is one of the true all-time classics. Acen - Trip II The Moon (Part 2 - The Darkside). Much has been said of this track already, and there's nothing more I can add without repeating those words. For those who haven't heard it, it's prototype drum & bass with the most brutal Amen break under screaming siren hooks and samples of The Doors and John Barry. Yeah, it's immense.

As if that wasn't enough, then you are hit with the surge of pure adrenalin that is the Joey Beltram remix of Dominator. As Human Resource basically ripped off Beltram's Mentasm for their original version of Dominator, it is with some irony that Joey Beltram took their track and made it better! Replacing the 4/4 with a heavy break and layering in different sfx, the Beltram remix of Dominator is lethal.

High Score Warrior - Will You Ever Reach The End is a bizarre inclusion. I can only assume this was made for a video game promotion or something. Whatever the reason for its creation, it's unbearably cheesy and has no soul whatsoever. Avoid.

SL2's On A Ragga Tip I mentioned earlier. It was a massive hit, loved by thousands yet I always found it cheesy and, simply, too "happy". It's no surprise that Slipmatt went on to help create Happy Hardcore, as this track has that definite vibe of fairground dodgem-rides (with the whiff of dodgy hot dogs lingering in the air).

Bizarre Inc's Playing With Knives was also a huge commercial hit, but unlike Ebeneezer Goode and On A Ragga Tip it actually has some class. The piano line is irresistible and the warping rave riff really keeps the track on an edge.

Sesame's Treet is a rave remix of the theme tune to the kids TV show Sesame Street. It's embarrassing to listen to. The group actually did make a few decent tunes, but they will always be known for this. A shame.

The remix of Liquid's Sweet Harmony is a more breakbeat rave take on the original. It's good, but the main riff (which reminds me a bit of Set Up System - Fairy Dust) may grate on your ears.

Of course everyone knows The Prodigy's Out Of Space. The full 12" mix is featured here. Still a guaranteed floor filler.

Oddly, the compilers then chose to add The Reese Project - The Colour Of Love. I am not a fan of Deep / Soulful House so I am not qualified to judge its quality, but I can safely say it is a definite Fish-Out-Of-Water on this CD.

We round up with the "A Spoonful Of Miracle" mix of Injected With A Poison. I really like this version. Although the M.N.O. Power mix is rightly the biggest mix, this version also sounds great thanks to more emphasis on a breakbeat and slightly more ravey stabs. It wasn't often that European producers attempted UK style rave, but Oliver Adams did very well in his attempt here.

So there it is, a decent compilation that I still cherish even though it has a few major flaws.

Top one, nice one, get sorted.

I found this CD at my local branch of Our Price back in my early teens, for around £5. It's one of those budget compilations that were so prevalent back in the mid-90's, but unlike so many of its ilk the tracks featured are for the most part actually decent...

Altern 8's Evapor 8 is as good a start as any for a rave CD, it's one that everyone knows yet it still manages to sound dangerous and edgy.

Ebeneezer Goode by The Shamen, well, it's not really what I would define as "rave", being more of a pop song in essence, but I suppose it's ingrained into rave culture due to its timing and image. To be honest I always skipped this one on my CD player.

Not to fear, as SL2's "DJ's Take Control" takes us back to darker territory with all the essential ingredients that make a true rave anthem. In my mind a much better track than the massive but cheesy "On A Ragga Tip".

Surprisingly the compilers chose to include the Drum & Bass dub of Cubic 22's Night In Motion. It's a deceptive title as the track is actually a stripped down minimal techno version and has nothing to do with d&b at all (indeed the track was released in 1991, long before d&b was even born as a style). This version really sounds fresh and could be played in a set today without anyone associating it with oldschool thanks to a restrained approach.

Next up is one of the true all-time classics. Acen - Trip II The Moon (Part 2 - The Darkside). Much has been said of this track already, and there's nothing more I can add without repeating those words. For those who haven't heard it, it's prototype drum & bass with the most brutal Amen break under screaming siren hooks and samples of The Doors and John Barry. Yeah, it's immense.

As if that wasn't enough, then you are hit with the surge of pure adrenalin that is the Joey Beltram remix of Dominator. As Human Resource basically ripped off Beltram's Mentasm for their original version of Dominator, it is with some irony that Joey Beltram took their track and made it better! Replacing the 4/4 with a heavy break and layering in different sfx, the Beltram remix of Dominator is lethal.

High Score Warrior - Will You Ever Reach The End is a bizarre inclusion. I can only assume this was made for a video game promotion or something. Whatever the reason for its creation, it's unbearably cheesy and has no soul whatsoever. Avoid.

SL2's On A Ragga Tip I mentioned earlier. It was a massive hit, loved by thousands yet I always found it cheesy and, simply, too "happy". It's no surprise that Slipmatt went on to help create Happy Hardcore, as this track has that definite vibe of fairground dodgem-rides (with the whiff of dodgy hot dogs lingering in the air).

Bizarre Inc's Playing With Knives was also a huge commercial hit, but unlike Ebeneezer Goode and On A Ragga Tip it actually has some class. The piano line is irresistible and the warping rave riff really keeps the track on an edge.

Sesame's Treet is a rave remix of the theme tune to the kids TV show Sesame Street. It's embarrassing to listen to. The group actually did make a few decent tunes, but they will always be known for this. A shame.

The remix of Liquid's Sweet Harmony is a more breakbeat rave take on the original. It's good, but the main riff (which reminds me a bit of Set Up System - Fairy Dust) may grate on your ears.

Of course everyone knows The Prodigy's Out Of Space. The full 12" mix is featured here. Still a guaranteed floor filler.

Oddly, the compilers then chose to add The Reese Project - The Colour Of Love. I am not a fan of Deep / Soulful House so I am not qualified to judge its quality, but I can safely say it is a definite Fish-Out-Of-Water on this CD.

We round up with the "A Spoonful Of Miracle" mix of Injected With A Poison. I really like this version. Although the M.N.O. Power mix is rightly the biggest mix, this version also sounds great thanks to more emphasis on a breakbeat and slightly more ravey stabs. It wasn't often that European producers attempted UK style rave, but Oliver Adams did very well in his attempt here.

So there it is, a decent compilation that I still cherish even though it has a few major flaws.

Top one, nice one, get sorted.