It is Friday, and we've survived yet another week. And normally on Monday, Wednesday and Friday you do expect a review by yours truly, but this week I haven't got just one mix you will enjoy: I've got 31 awesome mixes! As you have already seen the image above this review, you know that I'm talking about the Next Generation Records podcast series. A highly successful podcast series, which gained notoriety within the UK Hardcore scene, and it's still highly sought after mix series. It has left an impact, years after they decided to stop doing those awesome 60+ minute long podcasts.
I became obsessed with these podcasts, and started listening to them. Obviously I started at number 1, and finished with number 30. 30 emotional and yet hilarious podcasts later they decided to throw the towel in the ring, and call it a day. It had run its day. They were to start new adventures separately, but they did come back just once, for a special. But those 31 episodes were magical. You felt part of this Next Gen Records podcast community.
Brisk and Fracus has this chemistry, a chemistry I have not heard anywhere else since they stopped doing these podcasts. Fracus and Darwin's own podcast series is also successful, but it's a bit more mature. With Brisk and Fracus you knew you would hear something absolutely silly. Who remembers the farting intro, or the silly jokes throughout, or the hilarious sponsors? You know, and you can make fun of me as much as you like, I did thought shortly that they were genuine sponsors. I did eventually realise that it was Brisk and Fracus. That moment when it hits you, it hits you hard, and it made me feel like an absolute freaking doughnut.
Banter was obviously important. But the music was the main focal point of this podcast series. They presented new music and got people excited. Not just their own productions, but from a wide range of producers, known and well known. And to top it off, they would have guest mixes from well established DJs. And the list is really impressive. So, you might have already guessed it, instead of a tracklist, I am going to give you a podcast list of every podcast Brisk and Fracus (and Ham too, let's not forget Ham) did, and which guest mixes they had. It will blow your mind, trust me.
Next Generation Records Podcast #1 with Brisk & Fracus
Next Generation Records Podcast #2 feat DJ Pilgrim
Next Generation Records Podcast #3 feat Darwin
Next Generation Records Podcast #4 feat DJ Gammer
Next Generation Records Podcast #5 feat Luna-C
Next Generation Records Podcast #6 feat DJ Supreme & UFO
Next Generation Records Podcast #7 feat Al Storm
Next Generation Records Podcast #8 feat Kutski
Next Generation Records Podcast #9 feat DJ Ham
Next Generation Records Podcast #10 feat Endymion
Next Generation Records Podcast #11 feat Marc Smith
Next Generation Records Podcast #12 feat Sy & Unknown , Evil Activities
Next Generation Records Podcast #13 feat The Viper
Next Generation Records Podcast #14 feat Kevin Energy, Art Of Fighters
Next Generation Records Podcast #15 feat Joey Riot
Next Generation Records Podcast #16 feat S3RL
Next Generation Records Podcast #17 feat Haze, DJ Panic
Next Generation Records Podcast #18 feat Mark Breeze, Tommyknocker
Next Generation Records Podcast #19 feat Nu Foundation, DJ Headbanger
Next Generation Records Podcast #20 feat Shimamura, Weapon X
Next Generation Records Podcast #21 feat Slipmatt, State Of Emergency
Next Generation Records Podcast #22 feat Technikore, DJ Predator
Next Generation Records Podcast #23 feat Gammer, Neophyte
Next Generation Records Podcast #24 feat Stylus & Audiojunkie with Whizzkid
Next Generation Records Podcast #25 feat DJ Kurt, Chosen Few
Next Generation Records Podcast #26 feat Kevin Energy, Jon Doe/CLSM
Next Generation Records Podcast #27 feat Chris Unknown, Kasparov
Next Generation Records Podcast #28 feat DJ Mob, Tha Playah
Next Generation Records Podcast #29 feat Partyraiser
Next Generation Records Podcast #30 feat Squad-E
Next Generation Records Podcast #31 feat Brisk & Fracus
At first I thought I'd link each of the above written lines to the actual Soundcloud page, but I couldn't be fucked. At least I can attach a player underneath, which contains all of these podcasts, so you can enjoy them in one go.
I do miss a good podcast series. I don't follow any, because none have really captured me as much as the Next Gen Records podcast series has. Their humour was amazing, really snappy, and sometimes none sensical humour. And that's my kind of humour. But all jokes aside, the music was the main focus for me. And the music, sweet Lord, was oh so good. UK Hardcore sounded so good back then. It has changed, hasn't it? It's not like it used to be. I miss the good old days.
They started with a few UK Hardcore anthems, slowly went into Freeform, and ended with Gabber/Hardcore, and after that they had their guest mixes. And as you can see from the list above, their guests were all superstars! You can see why this podcast was so successful when it was aired. Can't even remember where it was aired? I used to follow UK Hardcore everywhere and was part of many forums and social pages, but I've lost track. Does anyone remember where these were aired on?
Obviously the podcast was to promote their own stuff, but they did more than that. They kept the fans eager, eager for the next podcast. And for those 31 sessions they entertained us highly, be it with their banter, or with their music, or their guest's mixes.
I've recently rediscovered it, and now I'm listening to them again. Completely forgot that my name was mentioned during one or two podcasts, quite embarrassing. But for it's the whole package which was awesome, and I've not seen or heard since. I miss the Next Generation Records podcasts. I do miss Brisk and Fracus, and friends. I miss the music. And I miss the adverts. Fuck, time flies too quickly.
Can we expect number 32 any day soon, or not? Are there any future plans? Or has it slowly moved away from both Brisk and Fracus' diary, and it will never happen? As sad as that might be, at least we've got to thank them (and Ham) for 31 very interesting podcasts. I hope for more, but that's no up to me. Maybe if we start a 'Go Fund Me' page, or a Kickstarter campaign? If we do, let's hope it won't be as long as their Thru The Roof campaign. That was a tad long.
That was a joke. Well, I thought it was. Fuck you. I know I am not as funny as Brisk or Fracus... (emotional wreck) (the crazy dutchman).....
Anyway, the best bits of these podcasts were DJ Gammer's second mix, DJ Slipmatt's mix, Partyraiser, oh and let's not forget Technikore's mix! So many great mixes! And also the oldskool mix they did.
All jokes aside (again), you can download these from Soundcloud.
