True ravers know about the existence of XL Recordings, and how big of an impact they had for us ravers. Maybe the younger generation know of its existence because of Adele, but to me the label always represented the majestic 90s and the raving community it co-created. In my younger years I did collect a few albums, released by XL Recordings (well, I'm lying: they were all The Prodigy albums, who am I kidding?). Over the years I have been digging deep to find mixes focussed on labels such as XL, and I have come across this mix only earlier today, an XL Recordings dedication mix, by someone called Kushti.
What this DJ has done, is quite cool. Literally played all the records in order. So from the first XLT-01 to XLT-49, all rave anthems included in this mix. From the early House stuff to the Breakbeat slammers to the whatever you fancy. It is in this mix. And the funny thing is, that there are a ton of unknown records in here. I've not indulged myself fully in XL Recordings' rich history, but it seems to be impressive. Obviously I know the main anthems by artists such as The Prodigy, SL2, T99, Ellis Dee, but there are also a few in here I've not heard before.
A trip down memory lane, for some. If you are old enough to remember these, you will instantly have a huge smile on your face, when you see the tracklist. Let me show it to you:
01. 2 In Rhythm - We Want Funk (Original Mix)
02. Ellis Dee - Took My Love Away (Sound Factory Mix)
03. Looney Tunes - Just As Long As I Got You (Original Version)
04. Flowmasters - Let It Take Control (Radio Version)
05. Subliminal Aura - Ease The Pressure (State Of Mind Mix)
06. Ellis Dee - I Will Survive (At The Club Mix)
07. Centrefield Assignment - Mi Casa (Mi Condo Mix)
08. 2 In Rhythm - Bionic Boogie (Ride The Groove Mix)
09. Hardcore - Get A Little Stupid (Backroom Remix)
10. Space Opera - Space 3001 (Part 1)
11. Fantasy UFO - Fantasy (Melt The Speaker)
12. The Prodigy - Android
13. John & Julie - Circles (Spiral Mix)
14. T99 - Anasthasia (Dub Mix)
15. Cubic 22 - Night In Motion (Drum & Bass Dub)
16. The Prodigy - Pandemonium
17. Set Up System - Fairy Dust (Frank De Wulf's Saga Remix)
18. SL2 - Way In My Brain
19. UHF - UHF
20. The Prodigy - Everybody In The Place
21. Liquid - Sweet Harmony
22. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip
23. The Prodigy - Fire (Sunrise Version)
24. Dance Conspiracy - Dub War (Chapter 1)
25. The Prodigy - Music Reach 1234
26. SL2 - Drumbeats
27. Dome Patrol - Ontac
28. Liquid - Liquid
29. Jonny L - Mother Acid
I have to say that the track selection is really great. So many great rave anthems. True oldskool lovers, eat your heart out. This is what made our raving history be even more special. Yes, we have had many other label pushing music forward, but XL, come on, they have released some records. Records and a half. Just look at this tracklist.
That's the only positive comment I can give sadly. Normally I am very generous, but today I sadly couldn't be. The mixing, is really atrocious. I've never heard of KUSHTI before, but he/she might want to check the actual mix before uploading. This is not probably their proudest moment. Too many errors. I'm talking cross fading errors, too early jumping into the next track, or even skipping records. This was sadly poorly executed.
I would give this mix a pass. Not something you would want to listen to, if you want to go back in time. It would only annoy you slightly. The mixing is of such a poor quality, it ruins the records KUSHTI has used.
The best record, is 'Fire' by the Prodigy.
If certain mixing capabilities are improved, the mix might be salvable. The mix sadly isn't custhy. Or however Del Boy would spell it. But for now this mix is one I wouldn't rate at all, but sadly, here it goes:
DJ: Kushti
Genre/Style: Rave, Oldskool, Breakbeat Hardcore, House
Mix Info: KUSHTI. <<XL Recordings>>
Length Mix: 01:00:34
Tracks: 29 (twenty-nine)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): LISTEN HERE
File Size: unknown
File Type: unknown
Audio: Stereo
Sample Rate: unknown
More Information: Solid Sound FM - Soundcloud Page