*THROWBACK* *25TH ANNIVERSARY* of J.Bo Tapes #6 & #7: LTJ Bukem & MC Conrad - The Essential Mix - 16Jul1995
The. Most. Essential.
Essential Mix. Ever... Turns. 25!!!
I just can't believe it.
Exactly 25 years ago (to the minute), the world was forever changed. BBC Radio 1 broadcast a DJ mix on the absolute cutting edge ("what a tender expression") of UK dance music on the legendary Essential Mix show.
Drum & Bass had been growing (and dividing) at an Incredible pace over the previous few years but was often dismissed, even attacked, by the mainstream media. It is also strange to think about now, but back in the early 90s, the internet barely existed... so there was no streaming, no downloading, no researching new music. New strands of music were created, existed and morphed in small bubbles of producers, DJs and dancers. People became aware of them at a very small number of clubs in a small number of cities, or through local pirate radio stations. If you were outside of one of these broadcast areas, you either struggled by trading mixtapes, or were just not aware of what was happening, what was new. This was certainly true with this emerging genre, but that all changed in the summer of 1995 when it finally forced its way out of the underground and into the national consciousness before taking over the cities, streets, shops, bars, clubs and cars of the entire country.
In an historic two week period, that gives me tingles to this day to think about, this revolutionary UK style got this show broadcast nationally, then One In The Jungle started its pilot run the following weekend, followed by Goldie's (still absolutely) Timeless album being released at the end of the July. Just wow, what a time to be alive!
The significance of this mix cannot be overstated. A lot of the success of drum & bass over the next two decades, the crossover appeal, the TV adverts, the movie soundtracks and so on, can be traced back to this mix winning over the largely house and techno audience of Pete Tong, with this emerging 'softer' sound of so-called 'Intelligent D&B' that Bukem pioneered and led. I believe this gateway mix opened many, many people's ears to the broken beats and basslines, as well as alerting the major labels and general buying public to explore the wider scene.
Bukem himself continues to see incredible success across the world with countless mixtapes and compilations released on his own Good Looking label as well as endless touring all over the world. Let's not forget he also made the, unthinkable at the time, breakthrough of getting a residency at the legendary house superclub Cream (which you can listen to on J.Bo Tape #8), which again can be traced back to the impact of this mix. Whatever you may personally think, the whole D&B culture owes a lot to Bukem and this essential Essential Mix.
********** NEW LINKS 07-Jul-2020 **********
Source: Memorex CRX S60-Type II
I originally posted these tapes over 10 years ago, and you can read my original write up, as well as check the mix tracklisting in the comments, here:
Or if you just want to just jump straight in to UK Breakbeat history then here are the download and streaming links...
LTJ Bukem & MC Conrad - Essential Mix - 16Jul1995
LTJ Bukem & MC Conrad - Essential Mix - 16Jul1995
Duration: 1h58m35s (58m50s + 59m44s)
Format: MP3-192kbps
Size: 162.8MB (80.8MB + 82.0MB)
Download: CLICK HERE
The message in the music is to move...
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