Mauro Picotto - Live @ Sensation Black, Amsterdam 13.07.2002

Martin van Zeelandt / TCD
Jul 4
3 min read

Sensation Black, who remembers these events from back in the day? Who remembers them, before they got changed into BLACK (they just removed the Sensation name from it, to separate the events from each other). I do remember them, and when I went in 2002, I wanted to get tickets for the Black edition, but they were sold out quicker than ever. And over the years, thanks to platforms such as Soundcloud, YouTube, and Mixcloud, have I been able to listen to sets from that event. And today's set is obviously by one of the greatest ever, Mauro Picotto.

He's a certified legend. With so many hits under his belt, and many performances at the biggest stages in the world, he was an obvious choice to add to the line up for the 2002 Black Edition of Sensation. You also had Chris Liebing, Lady Dana, Marco V, and Michel De Hey. A killer line up, that's for sure. But reading the comments about this edition, it's a mixed one. Some say it was amazing, some say it was utter dross, and a lot had both positive and negative feedback. I think the main gist of this was, there wasn't too much Hardstyle but more Techno, which (to those who went) wasn't to their liking. They wanted more Hardstyle, but got Techno.

I would not be disappointed. But I would agree, with the knowledge I have, from listening to many sets and knowing Sensation well enough, Mauro's set was a tad on the milder side. Not hard and rough, which would have suited the event more. Would it have been better at Sensation White? Maybe. But for the Black edition, it was certainly soft, especially for 2002, when Hardstyle was growing faster than anything.

This was also broadcasted on ID&T Radio, this is where this set was taken from. If you like Mauro Picotto and couldn't care less about the negative comments, let me show you the tracklist:

Intro
Foremost Poets - Moonraker (Acappella)
Mauro Picotto & Riccardo Ferri - Tormented
Fortek - Sky Shaper (Literon Remix)
Mauro Picotto - Bangkok
Umek - Benozal (Gabry Fasano Remix)
Fletch - Can't Have My Wages Garnished (Mateo Murphy Remix)
ID - ID w/ Manijama - No No No (Acappella)
Manijama - No No No (Spektral Dub)
Alexander Kowalski feat Raz Ohara - All I Got To Know (Josh Wink Vocal Interpreation)
JB³ - The Feature
DJ ESP/Woody McBride - Off The Ceiling
Chris Liebing - The Biggest Ten Inch I Have Ever Seen (Major Rush Remix)
Umek - Gatex
γΦ - Syncron
Transponder II - Capsule
Off Pop - Simulation
Mauro Picotto - Lizard (Claxxix Mix)
Azzido Da Bass - Dooms Night (Gabry Fasano Remix)

As much as it pains me to say this, I fully understand why a few sets, including Mauro's. weren't well received in 2002. It's a bit 'soft' for a harder style event. It is still fucking epic, but just not suitable for Sensation Black. And tha'ts obviously a pity.

The tracks in this mix are amazing, and they bring a smile on my face. They suit the current climate pretty well: the Sun is shining, and it's nice and warm. These tracks work well. But not for the people at the Amsterdam Arena. Would booing be the solution? No, not really. And it's not as bad as you might think. But it's too soft for the Dutchies who embraced the harder styles.

I don't think this is the full set, the recording goes quiet halfway through. So there might be some records missing from his set. I do love his selection, especially when 'No No No' hits. Again, it is too soft, and kills the sets slightly. But for me, today, it works well. And I do appreciate 'Bangkok' a lot. Brilliant track.

It might not have been your cup of tea, and when it comes to the pace of this set, it might not be your thing, but in a strange way, sitting here at home, 24 years later, and not being surrounded by thousands of ravers, I do have to say that I like this set a lot. It's not Mauro's best ever, but it is still highly enjoyable. Worth listening to.