Issue 31 – Ravescene

Ravescene Magazeen #31 (Feb ’93) features UK rave listings including Rebirth, Head II Head, and Lost City, plus Ruff Kut Records releases and a Wax City Music chart spotlighting Mega City 2, DJ Hype, and Tango & Ratty.

ADVERTS

  • Mega-Dog – Friday 26th February @ The Rocket, Holloway Road, London N7
  • Promised Land Productions present Lost City – Every Saturday @ Bass Box Warehouse, London N18
  • Yikes! & Swing present Head II Head – Friday 19th February @ Sanctuary Music Arena, Milton Keynes
  • Dream Zone – Saturday 27th February @ Atomics Dance Venue, Maidstone
  • Ruff Kut Records presents Gappa-G & Hyper Hypa, New E.P. “All Charged Up” 8th March 1993
  • De Underground Records, 18 Sebert Road, London E7
  • Pyramid Promotions / Innersense – Every Saturday @ Lazerdrome, 267 Rye Lane, London SE15

RAVE LISTINGS

  • Rebirth (Electrybe) Saturday 13th and 27th February 1993. Hyams Gym, 857-861 High Road, Leystone, London E11
  • Head II Head (Yikes & Swing) Friday 19th February. The Sanctuary, Denbigh Leisure Park, V7 Saxon Street, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Beds
  • Vision Friday 12th February. Unit A & B, Salters Way, WIsbech, Cambs
  • Love Fever Saturday 13th February. Oceans, Goswell Road, London EC2
  • In-Ter-Dance All Nighter Friday 12th February. Poole Arts Centre, Kingsland Road, Poole, Nr Bournemouth, Dorset.
  • Snoosh Friday 19th February. 5 Christina Street, off Great Eastern Street, London EC2
  • Fusion Saturday 13th February. The Astoria, 157 Charing Cross Road, London W2
  • Love Of Life Saturday 27th February. Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre, Gonville Place, Parkside, Cambridge
  • Sunday People Every Sunday from 7th February. Kao Cafe, 65 Crowndale Road, Camden, London N1
  • Elevation Saturday 20th February. Roller Express, Lea Valley Trading Estate, Edmonton, London N8
  • Megadog Friday February 26th. The Rocket, Holloway Road, London N7
  • Life & Utopia Saturday 13th February. Tasco Warehouse, Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
  • Affinity Friday 12th February. The Sanctuary, Denbigh Leisure Centre, V7 Saxon Street, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Beds
  • Fusion Saturday 20th March. Portsmouth Guild Hall
  • The Power Within Friday 19th March. The Rocket, Holloway Road, London N7
  • Dance Paradise Saturday 20th February. Tiffany’s, Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
  • Dance 93 Saturday 13th March. The Brighton Centre, Brighton
  • Original Sin Saturday 20th February. The Tasco Warehouse, 138 Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
  • Lost City Every Saturday from February 13th. Bass Box, Unit H9, Harbet Road, Edmonton N9
  • Insomnia Every Thursday. 10pm – 6am. Paradise Club, Parkfield Street, Islington, London N1
  • Hyperbolic Saturday 13th February. The Speedway Stadium, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
  • Dance Planet Friday 19th March. The Hummingbird, 54 Dale End, Birmingham
  • Labello Blanco Friday 19th February. The Rocket, Holloway Road, London N7

CHART

Compiled by Judge of Wax City Music

  1. London to Essex in 3 Hours – Mega City 2 (Hear Dis)
  2. Penny Wise Remix – Symphony Sounds
  3. Dp[e On Plastic EP (Rugged Vinyl)
  4. Shot In The Dark – DJ Hype
  5. Harmony In The Extreme (Lucky Spin Promo)
  6. Planet Dance EP (Studio 2)
  7. Dreamfinder 93 Remix – Sound Corp
  8. With You – Cool Hand Flex
  9. Tales From The Dark Side – Tango & Ratty
  10. Ganja Man (Promo)

Issue 30 – Ravescene

Ravescene Magazeen #30 (Jan ’93) spotlights Basement Records’ rise, from underground shops to top UK distribution, plus essential rave listings for January–February 1993, including All Our Yesterdays, Fusion, and Love Fever.

FEATURED ARTICLE – BASEMENT RECORDS

PROFILE by THE WARLOCK

It began in the basement of a Dentists practice, bass for your tooth ache they said, but now 4 years on the Record Basement shops plan to expand their operation from 2 to 5 outlets in 1993. And the proof of their success? One of the most acclaimed British labels in an otherwise stagnant and unadventurous market, Basement records plays host to such luminaries as Loftgroover, Wax doctor, Jack Smooth, Kev Bird, and Top Buzz to name just a few. Eager to know more we spoke to Basement Phil for the lowdown.

“Basement first started in April 1992, a time when the Hardcore scene had gone because the Belgian sound had died, the piano scene was dying rapidly and all you had left was the ferocious drumbeat tracks with no feeling in them anymore. The Techno element had gone completely apart from the odd sound and now you are left with only a handful of classics whereas before it would take ten pairs of hands to count them all. Nowadays, there are too many people making records, some are good but too many are just bad examples that chop up 20 of the latest records to make a track and at Basement we have one simple rule and that is not to sample unless its inventive”.

Basement recordings have the cutting edge when it comes to advanced quality sound production, an absent factor in so many tunes, but how do they forsee the sound of the ravescene for 1993?

“Hard music this year, much more Techno, I think the Belgian sound will come back, the pianos will return in a big way and the Progressive House scene — which is really what the ravescene was three years ago — will get harder so that both will join up and restore the missing unity in the music and this is why our new label ‘The House Department’ has been set up to release what we regard as Trance right in the middle of House and Rave.”

In addition to two labels and two record shops, the boys (and girls) at Basement also find time to run a national record distribution company. Phil explains, “we set up Vinyl Distribution because we weren’t getting justifiable sales on Basement’s records. Hearing our tracks 27 times at a rave of 16,000 where everyone was going nuts to them doesn’t compare with a 1,000 sales on one of these records especially when we know the buzz is good because we get thirty DJs a day phoning up asking to be part of the mailing list. It was for this reason we set up the company — as a vehicle to push the Basement label.”

Basement Records will be releasing a DJ friendly double LP of 12 tracks from some of the top DJs in the UK for not much more then the price of a 12 inch as a way to say thank you to everyone who has supported Basement over the year. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!

ADVERTS

  • Snoosh, The Valentines Monster Mash-Up – 12th Feb 1993 @ 5 Christina Street, London EC2
  • In-Ter-Dance Productions @ Sterns Nightclub, Highdown Hill, Worthing
  • Every Picture Tells A Story – Every Saturday @ 12 Dalston Lane, London E8 6DY
  • Labrynth – Every Friday @ 12 Dalston Lane, London E8 6DY
  • E-Zone – Mixtapes – Milton Keynes
  • Wax City Records, 306-308 London Road, Croydon
  • Hear Dis Records
  • Pyramid Promotions / Innersense – Every Saturday @ Lazerdrome, 267 Rye Lane, London SE15
  • De Underground Records, 18 Sebert Road, London E7

RAVE LISTINGS

All Our Yesterdays (Labrynth) Saturday January 30th. Club Labrynth, 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8.
Love Of Life Kelsey Kerridge Sports Hall, Gonville Place, Parkside, Cambridge
Fusion Friday 5th February. Portsmouth Guild Hall, Portsmouth, Hants
Eclipse Saturday 6th February. Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Happy Sundays From Sunday 31st January. Heaven, Under The Arches, Charing Cross Station, London WC1
Rush Saturday 30th January. Ashwin Street, London E8
Mama B Productions No 1 Friday 12th February. Bath Pavilion
Return of the Warehouse Concept (Vision) Friday 12th February. Unit A+B, Salters Way, Wisbech, Cambs
Justice – A New Dimension Saturday 6th February. The Tasco Warehouse, 138 Nathan Way, London SE28
Love Fever Saturday 13th February. Oceans, Goswell Road, London EC2
Snoosh Friday 12th February. 5 Christina Street, London EC2
Dream Zone Saturday 6th February. Atomics, Hart Street, Maidstone, Kent
In-Ter-Dance All Nighter Friday 12th February. Poole Arts Centre, Kingsland Road, Poole, Dorset
Orgasms Without Danger Every Wednesday from 27th January. Sarbour Tropical, 1 Broadhurst Gardens, London NW6

CHART

Great Asset current top 10 hardcore/techno sellers in the UK.

  1. Dr Octopus – Tentacle EP – Whitelabel
  2. Babylon Timewarp – Durban Poison – Intense
  3. Yolk – Sunnyside Up Remix – Ruffbeat
  4. Intense – Drowsee EP Remixes – ULR
  5. XVXI – Illuminatae
  6. House Pimps – Zulu Nation – ULR
  7. Carl Cox & DJ Phantasy Remixes – Eternal – ULR
  8. Rabbit City 1 – The Cutter – Rabbit City
  9. UK Remixes – Subwoofer Agte – ULR
  10. Edge 6 – The Structure – Edge

Issue 29 – Ravescene

Ravescene Magazeen #29 (Dec ’92) features AWOL at the Ministry of Sound, Global Explosion, Fantazia NYE, and festive raves like Labrynth Christmas Ball and Snoosh Christmas Party, spotlighting the UK’s key holiday events.

AVERTS

  • ‘An Underwater Experience’ – Thursday 24th December @ 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8
  • The Global Explosion Xmas Hardcore Party – 19th December @ Roller Express, London N18
  • AWOL goes to the Ministry Of Sound – 25th December @ The Ministry of Sound
  • Labrynth Christmas Ball – Friday 25th December @ 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8
  • Fantazia New Year’s Eve Party
  • Wax City Records, 306-308 London Road, Croydon
  • Pyramid Promotions present Innersense – Every Saturday @ The Lazerdrome, London SE15

RAVE LISTINGS

  • Global Explosion Saturday 19th December. Roller Express, Lea Valley Trading Estate, Edmonton, London N18
  • Urge Saturday 19th December. The Vox, Brixton, London
  • Snoosh Christmas Party Thursday 24th December. Busby’s, 157 Charing Cross Road, London WC2
  • Ravescene Year Book Launch Party Wednesday 16th December. The Sounshaft, Hungarford Lane, off Craven Street (Behind Heaven) London WC1
  • Dream Zone Saturday 19th December. Atomics Dance Venue, Maidstone
  • Fantazia Thursday 31st December. Littlecote House, (Junction 14, M4) Near Newbury, Berks
  • Dance Planet (Opening Night) 8th January 1993. 42nd Street, 124 Dudley Road, Halesowen
  • Odyssey Wednesday 23rd & Wednesday 30th December. The Brunel Rooms, Swindon, Wilts
  • Wild-Life Saturday 26th December. Surrey Hills Hotel, Horsham Road, Dorking, Surrey
  • Pure Dance Thursday 18th December. Management House, 22-24 Bromells Road, Clapham, London SW4
  • Christmas Carol (Vivid) Wednesday 23rd December. Paradise Club, Parkfield Street, London N1
  • Fusion / Vivid Thursday 31st December. The Marquee, Charing Cross Road, London WC1
  • Acid Reigns Friday 18th December. Southend FC, Roots Hall Stadium, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, Essex
  • Double Dipped Thursday 24th December. Labrynth, 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8
  • AWOL At The Ministry Friday 25th December. The Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, London SE1
  • Labrynth Christmas Party Friday 25th December. 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8
  • Desire 92/93 Thursday 31st Dec. Eade Rd Manor House, London N4
  • AWOL 31st December. Paradise Club, Islington, London N1
  • Knowledge (All Nighter) Wednesday 23rd December. SW 1 Club, Victoria, London SW1

Issue 28 – Ravescene

Ravescene Magazeen #28 (Nov ’92) covers key UK rave events, including Snoosh, Freedom, and Urge, alongside top hardcore tracks like Baby D’s Let Me Be Your Fantasy and Citadel Of Kaos’ It’s Not Over.

ADVERTS

  • Pyramid Promotions present Innersense – Every Saturday @ The Lazerdrome, London SE15
  • Snoosh Friday 27th November @ Busby’s, 157 Charing Cross Road, London WC2

RAVE LISTINGS

  • Urge Saturday 5th December. The Vox, Brixton, London
  • The Sanctuary Opening night Friday 11th December. Denbigh Leisure Centre, V7 Saxon Centre, Milton Keynes, Beds
  • Heaven On Earth Friday 11th December, The Hummingbird, City Centre, Birmingham
  • Liberty Saturday 28th November. Roller Express, Lea Valley Trading Estate, Edmonton, London N18
  • Real Image Saturday Sth December. Manners Arena, Peckham High Street, Peckham, London SE15
  • Weird Fantasy Saturday 5th December. Elephant & Castle Leisure Centre, 22 Elephant & Castle, London SE1 6SQ
  • Raveworld VI Friday 27th November. Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, Herts
  • Snoosh Christmas Party Thursday 24th December. Busby’s, 157 Charing Cross Road, London WC2
  • Club Kinetic East Coast Opening Night Saturday Sth December. Raffles Night Club, Ingoldmells, Nr Skegness, Lancs
  • Freedom Saturday 28th November. The Tasco Warehouse, 138 Nathan Way, Plumstead, London SE28
  • Ravescene Year Book 1992 Launch Party Wednesday 16th December. The Soundshaft, Hungerford Lane, London WC1
  • Appliance Of Science Under 18’s rave. The Rainbow Centre, East Street, Epsom, Surrey
  • Labrynth (Back To The Old Days) Saturday 12th December. 12 Dalston Lane, Hackney, London E8
  • Love Of Life Saturday 12th December. Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre, Gonville Place, Parkside, Cambridge
  • Reincarnation Friday 11th December. Kings Hall, Herne Bay, Kent
  • Global Explosion Xmas hardcore extravaganza. 19th December. Roller Express, Lea Valley Trading Estate, Edmonton, London N18

CHART

Chart compiled by Warlock

  1. Junk – Do It Do It (Junk)
  2. Funky Junky + Dr S Gachet – Logans Run (Funky Junky)
  3. Euromasters – Alles naar de kl–te (Rising High)
  4. Rufige Crew – Terminator (Synthetic)
  5. Citadel Of Kaos – It’s Not Over (Boombastic Plastic)
  6. Utomica – Rock A Bye (Pro-one)
  7. Baby D – Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Ray Keith Remix) (Production House)
  8. One The Strength Test Press (In Touch Records)
  9. Marc & Claude – Party People (Adam & Eve)
  10. SL2 – Way In My Brain Remix (XL)

Issue 27A – Ravescene

Ravescene Magazeen #27A (Nov ’92) profiles Production House and Third Party Records, with insights into Dice’s production work and breakbeat innovation. Plus, full UK rave listings from Fantazia to Universe, keeping you up to date on the underground scene.

FEATURED ARTICLE – Production House

Driving towards Production House headquarters, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, having been a successful record label for some years I imagined egos to be big and attitudes rife. How wrong I was.

My first impression on arrival was how relaxed and friendly everybody was. The atmosphere there is like that of a close knit family (no trace of star-struck egotistical maniacs here!)

Floyd Dice, better known as ‘Dice’ appears to be the backbone of The Production House Crew. Having been with them since the beginning I asked him about his involvement with the label.

DICE: My main act is the House Crew, that is totally mine, as I engineer the studio and produce, but I am involved with most acts signed to the label, so I thought I would take one act for myself.

As well as engineer and produce Dice actually writes and sings as well, quite an asset to the label and modest too (his name can be found credited on nearly all Production House’s releases). Dice’s latest track, currently tearing it up around the clubs is called ‘Let Me Be Your Fantasy’ and  although credited to Baby D, it was actually written and produced by Dice. ‘Let Me Be Your Fantasy’ is on a more mellow tip with a soulful feel to it.

DICE: Rave is changing, it’s becoming more vocally orientated, and these vocals are being sampled from old soul records. My strongest influence is soul music, hence the Baby D track, the vocals are soulful, and they have been put together over a hard drumbeat. Soul is still around, maybe in a slightly different form, like swing or mellow house, but it is still there.

During the interview there is a constant buzz of activity going on around us. Acen pops in to say hello, DMS is running around, his face split into a huge grin, waving a cheque. Friendly banter flows between everyone, Acen offers to make me a cup of coffee. I asked Dice his opinion on the media.

DICE: The trouble with having ‘fame’ 1s you are open to criticism, the media can be very harsh and the public believe it. The media can destroy acts and people’s egos. I hope the media doesn’t do to rave what it did to the acid scene. It would be such a shame to kill off rave now, as itis such a big industry.

The most astonishing thing about Production House is that they are self-distributed, no other label in the country can boast the success of this independent company. Off of their own back they sell their music on its pure class and having been around so long, only points to the fact that they are a rated amongst the top three dance labels in the country.

By Tash

LABEL PROFILE – Third PARTY RECORDS

Back from their first 2 EPs all licensed to separate compilations including one in Canada, Third Party look to be going somewhere fast. Building their experience through 14 releases on the renowned Ibiza label, their operation has been established to communicate the musical mastery of the Noise Factory. Since the label began, it has been no accident that with each new release they have sold more and more copies. So with all this in mind, I took the opportunity to ask Tel, Jim and Kevin why their music was so in demand.

“T could talk through our tracks like a story. Our records build up and have lots of different  things in them and then they breakdown so DJ’s can mix into the next tune. I think it’s also  because our EP’s include a variety of styles so everyone is happy then”

How would you describe your music?

“Our music has always got a reggae element somewhere, it’s hidden and you might not hear it at first, but if you listen closely it’s there. However we’ve come away from sampling reggae direct because everyone 1s doing that now. People are simply sampling the raggae stuff because they know this will get their record played. Nowadays you hear a whole reggae track with a fast break behind it and this a sign of people getting lazy — this ain’t good for whats happening”.

Even though Noise Factory get distressed at the volume of poor quality material being released they do hope for the future of the breakbeat sound particularly on an international scale, “The breakbeat sound ain’t so well in the rest of the world yet, but it’s going to come through slowly. In LA, they’re going mad for British material and Canada is now getting into it too. They say we are behind but really they are the ones that are behind”.

So what are your plans for the future?

“We’re planning on using more live vocals than samples and including more melodies. We’re looking to the future in this way because I seriously think this music is drying down”.

As a final question I asked Noise Factory what advice they would give to up and coming music makers out There?

“Be creative with your samples and make your samples mean something. Don’t follow, lead the way, stay one step ahead because there’s so much competition out there. Never pirate, do it so it makes sense.”

ADVERTS

  • Up Front Totally Hardcore Mix Tapes From The USA
  • Double Dipped ‘An Underwater Experience’
  • Hardcore Zone @ Wax City Records
  • Labrynth T-Shirts for sale
  • Desire 92 – The Fourth Birthday Party
  • The Promised Land – Free Rave @ Lea Valley Trading Estate, London N18

RAVE LISTINGS

  • Fantazia Friday 27th November. Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet
  • Rave In Holland 13, 14, 1Sth November
  • World Dance Saturday 5th December. Lydd International Airport, Kent
  • Heaven On Earth Friday 13th November. The Hummingbird, Birmingham
  • Armageddon Saturday 14th November. Enstone Aerodrome, 10 miles North of Oxford off A34,  Oxfordshire
  • Middle Earth Saturday 14th November. Occans Night Club, Barbican, London
  • Raveworld IV Friday 27th November. Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way. Stevenage, Herts
  • Universe Friday 4th December. Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Clyst St Mary, Near Exeter, Devon. (off Junction 30, M5)
  • Desire ‘92 Saturday 21st November. The Roller Express, Lea Valley Trading Estate, Edmonton, N18
  • Universe Thursday 31st December. Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Nr Exeter, Devon
  • Love Of Life Saturday 14th November. Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre, Gonville Place. Parkside, Cambridge
  • New Age Saturday 21st November. Stantonbury Leisure Complex, Purbeck Close, Milton Keynes, Beds
  • The Sanctuary Opening Night Friday 11th December. Denbigh Leisure Centre, V7 Saxon Gate, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Beds.
  • Shammanarchy At Whirl-Y-Gig Sunday November 22nd. Shoreditch Town Hall, London
  • Double Dipped ‘Trip Under the Sea’ Saturday 12th December, Labrynth, 12 Dalston Lane E8
  • The Promised Land Saturday 21st November Bass Box. Lea Valley Trading Estate, Harbet Road. N18
  • Urge Saturday 5th December Vox Club, Brixton
  • Ibiza Reunion Party Saturday November 21st David Lloyd Centre, Southall Lane, Heston, middx