Peter Paul Pigmans, a.k.a. 3 Steps Ahead. A well known name in the Hardcore industry. A character most loved and cherished. And during his short reign in the Hardcore scene, he certainly made a dent in its already exciting history, and his music was considered the most prolific at one stage. He was ground breaking, he wasn't just your standard run of the mill producer. Not only did he use the 3SA alias, he was also known under these names: Bug Slowbizy, Pedro Terzero, Peter Paul Pigmans, Silverbells, The Ender, and the Illegal Alien. He spent 10 years in the scene, and became a legend, even after his unfortunate passing in 2003 of cancer.
3 Steps Ahead's back catalogue is still to this day impressive, and he's made some of the most memorable Hardcore anthems during the 90s. Let me just name a few, just a few you might know. 'Drop It', 'It's Delicious', 'Paint It Black', 'Gangster', 'Hakkuh'.... ring any bells yet? Of course you know them all, otherwise you wouldn't call yourself a gabber, right?
Now every so often I've got this craving for the 90s, and one of the names that keeps on appearing is 3SA. I was there, at Mysteryland 1998 Outdoor in Bussloo, and saw him perform live. It was messy, but memorable. And I think most of his music touched a snare. The other month I listened to his 'Most Wanted & Mad' album, and I even had a throwback moment to his second album 'Junkie', released in 2000. If there's one album you will never fully understand, it's that one. It's got some big tracks on it, but also a weird concept surrounds it. You need to listen to it to understand.
Yesterday I found this 'In Memory Of' set on Soundcloud. A mix by SAPeT DJ. Don't know if it was actually recorded live, it seems to be that way, looking at the image above? Obviously it's cool to do that, and to honour the late and great PPP. It's a short set (40 minutes), but it's all dedicated to 3SA. What else could we wish for?
3 Steps Ahead - So Much Trouble
3 Steps Ahead - Hardcore
3 Steps Ahead - Drop It (The Ender Mix)
3 Steps Ahead - Put Your Hands Up
3 Steps Ahead - Me So Horny
DJ Weirdo & Dr. Phil Omanski - Young Birds (3 Steps Ahead Mix)
3 Steps Ahead - Money In My Pocket
3 Steps Ahead - Hakkuh
3 Steps Ahead - It's Delicious
3 Steps Ahead - In The Name Of Love
3 Steps Ahead - The Thunder Anthem (Thunderscream)
It's short, sweet, but the tracks themselves are timeless classics. Real beauties, and they are all solid as a rock. Some are superb, some are OK, but all in all they are timeless Hardcore/Gabber anthems.
But now onto the mix itself. Well, that's another story. Whereas the tracks are great, the mix isn't 100%. Don't get me wrong, I love the concept and it's amazing that the music is still kept alive and kicking. But the set isn't that great. A lot of mistakes, a lot of errors. It's not a smooth ride at all. Maybe it's different when you are hearing this live, but listening at home, it doesn't leave a good impression.
SAPeT DJ's set is not one I would remember in a while. Again, it's great to hear 3 Steps Ahead being commemorated, but the outcome isn't great. It would have been a different story if the mix was superb, but sadly this isn't.
The tracks are really great, and it's got 11 classics in there, and to me 'In The Name Of Love' is the best. I wish it was a better set, it would have given me so much more satisfaction.
Mentioning earlier the question 'what else could we wish for'? 3SA to be alive. Sadly that won't happen... fuck cancer.
DJ: SAPeT
Genre/Style: Hardcore, Gabber, Happy Hardcore
Mix Info: Genesis: In Memory Of 3SA - SAPeT Dj Promo Mix (Vinyl)
Length Mix: 00:39:39
Tracks: 11 (eleven)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): CLICK HERE
File Size: unknown
File Type: unknown
Audio: Stereo
Sample Rate: unknown
Release Year: 2022
More Information: Gabber Resistance - Soundcloud Channel