I've been trying to typ this review for the last 12 hours, but it's just too damn hot. And I'm not talking about the mix (well, I am, but the weather is a pain in the ass). To cool my ass down, I had to go out and buy a small aircon unit. And it has done the trick: sitting here in London, listening to music from the magical year of 1998, and enjoying life. Would have been better if it was actually the year 1998, so we wouldn't have to worry about the internet, social media, etc, and just appreciate life, and especially the music.
I'm always late to the party: this mix was released 7 months ago, and I've discovered it only a few days ago. Shame on me. I am a huge fan of 'History Of Happy Hardcore's page, and I've spotted many other mixes, but not this one. Anyway, let's focus on the music. Image the year being 1998. That's 21 years ago! Can you believe it? Aqua released 'Doctor Jones', Run-D.M.C. made us all want to dance on their 'It's Like That', people watched 'Sex In The City', Britney Spears came into our lives, cargo pants became a hit, and Happy Hardcore was still huge in the UK. Dying in the rest of Europe, but the British still kept it alive and kicking.
You will know each and every tune, and then it hits you: these are 21 years old! We are living in 2019. Where the fuck has the time gone to? Anyway, time for music, so here's the tracklist:
01. Quest - Images Of You
02. Breeze - Let's Fly (Unique's Classic Mix)
03. Sub-Ace & Aura - My Dreams
04. Force & Styles - Follow Me
05. Jon Doe feat Lisa Abbott - Timebomb
06. DJ Force & The Evolution - Twelve Midnight (Bang! Remix)
07. 2 Without Heads - U & Me 'Hardcore Forever' (Scott Brown Mix)
08. DJ Storm - The Beating Of My Heart
09. DJ Fade - Freedom (Franctic Remix)
10. DJ Storm - Get Busier
11. Sy & Seduction - On The Road
12. DJ Demo - Muzik (DJ Ham Remix)
13. Bang! - Sailaway (Mellow Mix)
14. Sy & Demo - Devotion (Sy & Demo Remix)
15. Blitz & Blaze - Big Up The Bass
16. Identical - The Banger
17. Stompy & G-Netic - Starlight
18. Voodoo Posse feat Jocelyn Brown - Love Is (Fade & Bananaman Anthem Mix)
19. V.G.T. - #1A
20. Vinylgroover - Fairytales & Angels
21. Brisk & Trixxy - Goodbye Summertime
22. Monty & D'Skys - U Had It All
Wow. This is pure Happy Hardcore. If this doesn't make you happy, nothing will. If you are having a bad day, and nothing can lift you up, don't you worry my son: History Of Happy Hardcore to the rescue! And their 7 month old mix! Let this assist you through the despair. It does work, trust me. The heat has not been kind to me, and when I listened to this bad boy, I became happy in an instant!
I do love the happiness surrounding this mix. It's happy, and euphoric, and extremely uplifting. The UK were known for their Happy Hardcore music, and are still one of the countries trying to keep it alive. It was obviously massive in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, but the UK took it upon themselves to adjust the sound slightly. And the result? Well, you are listening to it.
Not a fan of the remixed versios of already classic anthems, like 'Love Is', and 'Fairytales & Angels'. I do prefer the original versions, and when I hear those distinctive sounds, I do immediately hear the original. Not a bad shout, but not a good one either.
But which one is the best? Well, simple answer: Bang!'s big hit 'Sailaway'. This all time classic has been played at ravers for the last 21 years, and is still going strong. Happy to the bone, and the oh so familiar chords, you just cannot sit still when they come at you.
All in all, this mix shows us all how diverse and good 1998 was. 21 years ago, I still can't believe it. Press play and absorb the music. Also, be quick: the Summer of 2019 might be ending next week, so enjoy the garden time, BBQ on and 'Class Of '98' on max!
DJ: History Of Happy Hardcore
Genre/Style: Happy Hardcore
Mix Info: Class Of '98
Length Mix: 01:44:48
Tracks: 22 (twenty-two)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): DOWNLOAD/LISTEN
File Size: 239 MB
File Type: mp3
Bitspeed: 320kbps
More Information: History Of Happy Hardcore - Soundcloud Page