The weekend is about to land. And I'm not talking about the best singer/producer currently in the world (the Weeknd), but I'm talking about the two glorious days we all know as Saturday and Sunday. And here in the UK it's all back to normal, and the weather seems to be all OK. So I'm guessing many will go out raving, clubbing, or somewhere where there's entertainment. And to get you in the zone, let's take a journey back to 1995. Just a reminder: that's 27 years ago! How in God's name is that 27 years ago? It only feels like a handful of years ago, not 27 years?! But taking us on a journey are Ramos & Protocol, with their latest mix (which you can find on RSR's Soundcloud channel).
Both Ramos and Protocol have been busy boys, and their Soundcloud channel recently had some new mixes being added, and they are... GLORIOUS. If you are a fan of the 90s Hardcore sound (be it Happy Hardcore, UK Hardcore, Breakbeat, or more), you will need to follow RSR Recordings on Soundcloud right now.
Their latest mix focusses on the Happy Hardcore side of life! And it's all about the year 1995. It's a good year. I wouldn't say it's the birth year of Happy Hardcore, but it's certainly an important year. Once you've looked at the tracklist, you know why within a split second. To me it was an important year, as Happy Hardcore grew in popularity, and it was just before it became too commercial. So the music was still genuine and not financially driven. And all in all, the music was much better. This and 1996 were the best years for Happy Hardcore, be it Dutch, or British.
I hope you are ready for the madness. This mix is sensational, and puts a smile on my face. It certainly makes my Friday go by quicker. And obviously this mix is going to be played over and over again. Are you going to do the same?
Midas - Groove Control
Ramos, Sunset Regime & Jammin - Nothing But Living
Scott Brown - Do What Ya Like (Ramos & Sunset Regime Remix)
Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime - Sunshine '95
Q-Tex - E-Creations (1995 Remix)
Scott Brown - Dreams
DJ Vibes - Rave Is A Mystery
Q-Tex & Technosis - Kaos
Obliterator - Higher (Bang To The Beat)
Stingray & Sonicdriver - Cold As Ice
Hixxy & Bananaman - Forever
Tokyo Ghetto Pussy - I Kiss Your Lips
Speedloader - Guilty As Hell
Love Bomb - Don't Ya Want My Lovin
Lockjaw - Deep In The Underground
High Dancity - Is It A Dream (DJ Isaac Mix)
D-Zyne & Fury - The Horny Raver
Bass-X - Morphine
Paul Elstak - Luv U More (DJ Paul Forze Mix)
Hixxy & Sharkey - Toy Town
Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime - In The Place To Be
Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo - Stars
GBT. Inc - Movement
Brisk - Airhead (Slipmatt's SMD Remix)
Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime - Life Force Generator II
Paul Elstak - Rainbow In The Sky
DJ Weirdo & DJ Sim - Go Get Busy (Extended Rave Mix)
Highlander - Hold Me Now (Bass-D & King Matthew Remix)
Paul Elstak - Don't Leave Me Alone
As you already know (or guessed), I am Dutch (hence the name of my blog). And it makes my reasoning behind the following statement easier: I was more into Dutch Happy Hardcore. Yes, the British sound did appear on many compilations I purchased over the years, but it was mainly the Dutch sound that appealed to me more. It was slightly harder, rougher, and sometimes even cheesier. I don't mind the UK Happy Hardcore sound, especially when it's made by Scott Brown, but the Dutch sound was just the bomb.
But now, me being a tad older (27 years older), I do appreciate both sound equally. But I still sadly don't understand the fascination for certain tracks, like 'Toy Town'. To me it's an overrated and overhyped record, not really a classic. Maybe you had to hear it at raves during the 90s in the UK for it to become a classic, but to me it sounds dull?
But the same now applies to Paul Elstak's back catalogue. Bit overrated now. Give me the better stuff, the lesser appreciated stuff by Scott Brown, or his billion aliases.
The one record that got me hyped the most, is 'I Kiss Your Lips' by Tokyo Ghetto Pussy. Ultimate cheese fest, with very easy to learn lyrics, and it's also extremely catchy as fuck.
The mix contains a bit of everything: Dutch, British, cheesy, happy, rough, melodic, piano bits, piano bobs, etc.
All jokes aside, this is an excellent mix. Another wicked mix by Ramos and Protocol. Can't wait to hear more mixes, and hopefully their next mix will focus on 1996? Only time will tell on what their next mix will be focussed on. But it's another wicked mix, that's for sure. And now the weekend can officially start.
Sorry, can't give this mix 5 stars. If 'Toy Town' wasn't in there, it would have had 5 out of 5!
DJs: Ramos & Protocol
Genre/Style: Happy Hardcore
Mix Info: Ramos & Protocol - Back To 95
Length Mix: 01:47:00
Tracks: 29 (twenty-nine)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): CLICK HERE
File Size: 97.6 MB
File Type: mp3
Release Year: 2022
Audio: Stereo
Bit Rate: 126kbps
More Information: RSR Recordings - Soundcloud Channel