Imagine, it's the early 90s, music was changing, and Hardcore music was new, refreshing, and still developing. Within this newly formed sound, a lot of experimental sounds are created. It was not clear which direction it was heading to, but then there it was: Bonzai Records. The mighty label from Belgium. Among all the labels that emerged during the early years, this specific label has certainly left a mark on the scene. It became the go-to label for excellent music, not only Rave music, but also Trance music.
Fast forward to 2019, a year before COVID-19 happened and fucked up right up. Jason S, the megamix master, decided to make this rather exquisite mix. Focussed on what, you might ask. Well, if that's not clear, I do need to ask you to go back to school. I am talking about Bonzai Records of course. He says that the mix contains a lot of Bonzai classic masterpieces, and he's certainly not lying. This label has released so many great, certainly memorable anthems. It's as much part of the raving scene as labels such as ID&T, Rotterdam Records, Masters Of Hardcore, Pengo, K.N.O.R. Records, Mokum Records, Master Maximum Records, Rave Records, Neophyte Records, 2B Free Records, and more. Bonzai certainly is part of this rich culture that we have.
But you might be wondering how many tracks Jason S has selected for this mix? 100? 200? 300? Well, no. Only 46 records + an intro. And no 'crazy' edits. He let the music speak for itself, and the result is an amazing mix. A megamix, sure, but one that will stay in your head for so long, and for once you do hear each individual record, and you recognise each and every one of them.
Looking at the tracklist, you wouldn't believe that these tracks were released between 1992 and 1995! And how fucking epic they truly are. Bonzai, we salute you! And so Jason S, for making yet another stunning megamix (does he actually ever stop?)...
Jason S - Intro: It's Time To Go Back
Mental Planet - Annihilating Rhythm (DJ Fly Mix)
DJ Bountyhunter - Bountyhunter
Cherry Moon Trax - Conflication
Yves Deruyter - Calling Earth
DJ Looney Tune - Beatbox (Tick Mix)
DJ Bountyhunter - Urban Feelings
Aqua Contact - La Sirena
Repulsive 2 - Recactussed
Yves Deruyter - Rave City (Cherry Mix)
Cherry Moon Trax - Let There Be House
Traxcalibur - The Dreamer
Dreamland - Mind Penetration
Zone 1 - Zebra Crossing
Aqua Contact - Cinderella
Techno Junkies - Entropy Step
Cherry Moon Trax - The House Of House
Phrenetic System - Wayfarer
Mooneyes - Twilight Creatures
Trancial-X-Tion - Dead Bodies (Remix)
Belgica Wave Party - The Wave
Yves Deruyter - ... Animals (Remix)
Yves Deruyter - Outsiders
Dream Your Dream - Belgium Jump
Joyrider - The Deadline (Remix)
Joyrider - The Deadline (New York Mix)
Phrenetic System - Gigantic Accident
Final Analyzis - El Punto Final (Power Mix)
Thunderball - Thunderdance
3 XXX - Disappear
DJ Bountyhunter - Woops
DJ Bountyhunter - Short Circuit
The Disciples - Underrave
X-Charge - Ready To Rock
Dream Your Dream - Soushkin
Bam-Bam - La Casa
DJ Bountyhunter - Demilitarized Zone
Phrenetic System - Fantasy
Thunderball - It's Your DJ
3 XXX - Tyranny V.Y.
Jones & Stephenson - The First Rebirth
Thunderball - Bonzai Channel One
Stockhousen - Underground Garden
DJ Francois & Jeremy - Guns, Smoke And Fire (Buzz Fuzz Remix)
Jones & Stephenson - The Second Rebirth
DJ Yves - Amy???
Dream Your Dream - Mayday Dream
If this isn't porn for you, then I don't know what you are into. This is truly an amazing mix, and it has probably the biggest Hardcore anthem of an entire generation. 'The First Rebirth', anyone?
Jason S, you are again a super hero! This mix is truly astonishing. I never really realised how many anthems Bonzai Records released over the years. I am fully aware that Bonzai played a humongous part in the Trance scene, but in the Hardcore scene their impact has been equally as great. Don't underestimate the Belgians when it comes to great music.
You can tell that they were going to be Trance masters. Every Hardcore track has got this distinctive sound to it. Hardcore and Trance combined. And it works beautifully. Sometimes it sounds happy, but when you need to rave hard, the Belgians know how to please the ravers.
There are simply too many great anthems in here. Too many to absorb. But everyone assumes that I would pick the biggest record of Bonzai's history: but you are oh so wrong! It's their second instalment I truly adore more! 'The Second Rebirth' just brings everything together. And yes, it sounds so happy, but that heavenly bit just takes me into another dimension.
But you might disagree with my opinion and choose a completely different anthem. The choice is yours. You've got 46 records to choose from. But please, do acknowledge the importance of Bonzai Records, and the importance of the great work Jason S is doing!
DJ: Jason S
Genre/Style: Early Hardcore, Hardcore, Rave, Trance, Happy Hardcore, Trancecore
Mix Info: Bonzai: The Classics Megamix
Length Mix: 01:11:31
Tracks: 46 (fourty-six) + 1 Intro
Download/Listen (via Mixcloud): LISTEN HERE
File Size: unknown
File Type: unknown
Audio: Stereo
Sample Rate: unknown
More Information: DJ Jason S - Mixcloud Page