We've Still Got The Stamina [Records] (Round Three!) (2020)

Martin van Zeelandt / TCD
Oct 5
3 min read

Sunday evening, and I'm feeling a bit lost. Not physically, I know exactly where I am. And if needs must, I've got my trusted friend Google to tell me where I am. But I'm talking more mentally, and that's all down to me missing something so badly, it kind of hurts. Stamina Records, you might have heard or seen the name before on this little site, is a label I truly miss, and I keep going back to their Soundcloud page, to hear those little snippets again. You don't know you will miss something this much, until they are actually gone. And they are, unfortunately, gone...

Freeform is still alive, but it has obviously lost a great label last year. Started back in 2011, and stopped in 2024. 13 amazing years, and so many awesome records. I'm now going through this phase in which I absorbed everything Trance related, and Freeform suits that extremely well. A bit of Trancey elements, but faster, and more vigorous. That's the best kind of Trance. Maybe that's why Freeform appealed to me? What I do know, is that the songs released on Stamina Records are truly awesome records, and they did appeal to me, more than anything else.

Back in 2020, M@rt!n-J released a few mixes, all focussed on Stamina Records, and I only reviewed two out of the three mixes. I don't really know why I did that, but that was 2020. It's five years later, and I was in dire need of some Stamina Records. The most obvious choice is Soundcloud, and going to his page. He's got a few mixes dedicated (which I've already reviewed), but I needed something 'new'. The third instalment was the one I missed, the one that got away, until today.

A.B - Awaken (Intro)
A.B - Alright (Fracus & Darwin Remix)
Gercore - Legacy
Finnbarr - Hidden In The Light (A.B & Cyrax Remix)
A.B & Kevin Energy - Samsara
Kounta Kulture - Valhalla
A.B - Kielo (Digital Commandos Remix)
Kounta Kulture - Edge Of The Universe
Digital Commandos - Angels With Filthy Souls
Digital Commandos feat MC Cyx - Rockin Up The Mic
A.B & Substanced - Injustice
Transcend - Domination (A.B & Synthwulf Remix)
A.B & Douglas - TIWWA
Tamerax - I Got The Beeps
Tamerax - PDS (WGS Instrumental)

This takes me right back. Roughly 6 years old, still sounding awesome. They were all taken from 'The Best Of Stamina Records 2019', which is obviously a wicked compilation, and it also contained a mix by the man himself, DJ A.B . Couldn't wish for anything more, right?

M@rt!n-J's selection is really great. Proper Freeform, just the way I like it. And I do miss it a lot. This sound isn't like anything else out there. Give me Freeform any day. It is a style you have to embrace, but once it has you, it won't let you go.

It's a fantastic mix, with a sad note: Stamina Records ain't no more. But at least we've got the music, which you can all find on Beatport. I do urge you to have a look, and relive the past: I know for a fact that this label released only the best. And 2019 was a stunning year for Freeform. Just look at the tracks in this mix, just have a listen to them. Just freaking fantastic!

I do love both Digital Commandos records a lot. I couldn't pick a favourite, they are both dope, and have this hint of the early Freeform sound.

It's another fantastic mix I only discovered/re-discovered 5 years after it was plonked onto Soundcloud. But at least I'm not too late to the party....