[BOOK] The Rave List - 1988 TO 1994 by Ritchie Kellingray

Ritchie Kellingray, better known as Strange Rollers to the Nu-Rave community, has just announced his own book - a hard working project that took nearly 3 years.

Ritchie K is a music producer for almost 23 years releasing music in all formats and various label with a versatile style with the likes of bass driven House to Breaks, Future Jungle, Dubstep and many more.

His brand new book titled 'The Rave List 1988-1994' includes a massive content of rave images, record shops, record shop adverts, record covers, magazine covers, flyers, tapes, and all things rave related! It showcases over 1000 labels and their discography and interviews and features with Nookie, Nicky Blackmarket, Remarc, Ron Wells, Evil Eddie Richards, Production House, Sammy Try Unity, Jay Cunning, Fat Controller, Vinyl Junkie, Creative Wax and many more!  There are also written pieces with pivotal record shop owners, record sleeve designers, pirate radio stations. Add to that the fact that you can take a look at previously unseen photos from Tonka at The Zapp Club – Brighton. 

"This is the most in-depth list of rave record labels you will ever see in print. Ritchie K is by far the most intense record collector, and vinyl enthusiast I have ever met. All of these labels listed, spanning the golden era of rave. Ritchie has passionately dug for since 1988, and continues to do till this very day. Not only does it list every rave related record label ever, the ultimate guide for vinyl diggers. It also has a complete documentation of all the amazing flyers, magazines, tapes, pictures Ritchie has collected throughout his life. Not only as a vinyl enthusiast, but a rave lover and someone with quite the overwhelming amount of physical rave archive. He may just have one of the biggest treasure chests of rave history alongside his gargantuan record collection in the world. To top it all off there is also a number of incredible interviews from a number of pivotal DJ’s, Labels, Promoters, Producers, Record Shops. This book is an essential guide to get lost in. Every page is a new road of discovery to the history of rave music. Every page sparks nostalgia. Every page has been lovingly created from Ritchie K’s 36 years of love for all things “Rave Music”. This is the Ultimate RAVE LIST!" - Billy Daniel Bunter

You can pre-order your copies now on the link above via Music Mondays (impront of Billy Daniel Bunter) by the price of £30, which includes a free entry to launch party on Saturday December 7th / Electrowerkz / all dayer.

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We Kill Culture Vol. 4

The UK breaks , bass n rave supergroup  / boy band are back ! Maybe I’ll give it less of the boy band  bantz as a vengabus-esque vehicle for a cheap laugh (Editors Note  -glad you said that Scoops as your whole comedy repertoire is cheaper than a Poundland sale) but Supergroup, as a less used taxonomical descriptor. is spot on with little room for argument imho and I’m going to tell you why!  For those that are coming into contact for the first time with WKC (as us scenesters call them) they are the sometimes side project of exceptionally well regarded, “proper underground”, producers Obsidian Wave , Skin Teeth , Rawtrachs and recently joined for this release, new member,  Phil Microcosm . Coming at ya  like a workwear  clad , 808 tweaking, 2024 version of the Travelling Wilburys if only  they’d  spent their youth at rave ground zero  The Sanctuary in Milton Keynes  instead of listening to BB King or   Robert  Johnson; and where Robert  allegedly sold his soul to the devil at the proverbial crossroads WKC did the modern day musical  diabolical equivalent of  putting down a weekly payment on a MC 505 at the local  Cash Converters. WKC are the real deal y’all hear me. 

Listen Here 

Now onto their fourth release since vol 1 came out in May 2023, they are definitely in the instant handover the cash and download without even a flinch of a test listen bracket . After you’ve treated your lugholes and your hand built Maplins  tube amps to this latest release do check out their back catalog and particularly one of my go to tunes in recent years, Isleworth Massive  

Their new EP , the surprisingly  titled  (sic) Volume  4 ,is a four tracker with some lovely cover art by band member  Skin Teeth , check out his art insta here as well illustration nerds, he is an enviable  talent both musically and with the pens n paints.

 

Kicking it off with tuneo numero uno, Shed Life is  a nice fast paced breakbeat hardcore number, hoovers, samples, bass and a reach for  the lasers break down to give the dancer a quick breather halfway through. Next up it’s Room 2,  a heavier affair all together , tuff distorted drums giving an industrial techno edge to the track, a dark chugger. This is classic WKC at work, mixing up the vibes and bringing you forward thinking sounds each and every time. Rainstorm,  track number three, takes us back once again to a 92 dance floor and I think at  the time of writing, my track of the EP. You just know  blog boss the Glowkid is going to love the best of the Prodigy vibes this tune radiates. I can’t wait to inflict this one  on the airwaves in my next mix show. I was initially somewhat disappointed that the final track of the EP entitled Mandy, wasn’t a breakbeat bootleg of the Barry Manilow Banger of the same name , previously famously covered by Homer Simpson   and now   by the WKC crew . However, we are treated to another slower paced heavy number for the headz with lovely filtering, layering  and sound design that must have maxed out an Ableton cpu meter surely? So much of this tune is in the shadows it’s one to listen too again and again on a good set of headphones to get it all. It takes a certain level of musical  confidence and skill to put some of your best work  far back in the mix and let the listener discover it. Just brilliant.

 

To conclude, if you don’t get onto  this relase asap  please delete your login passwords to this blog  and drop your ipod mini off at your local recycling centre. Thank you for your cooperation. 

 

Until next time dear breakbeat’rz – John Bass Scoops.

Guchon - Raccoon Hill EP (feat. Chrissy Remix)

Straight out of Tokyo the elusive talent of Guchon lands in the London based Feelings Worldwide with a personal EP as playful as it is genre-defying. Known for his knack for eclectic blends and high-energy tracks, Guchon brings a uniquely Tokyo vibe to his 'Raccoon Hill EP' creating a soundscape that feels part late-night arcade and part neon-lit dance floor.

Each track on the EP reflect Guchon’s playful spirit and his Tokyo roots, a city known for its love of both cutting-edge music and retro video game nostalgia.

Special guest on this EP is the genre-bending cult hero and head of Maximum Airtime, the man like Chrissy, who brings a fresh perspective to Guchon’s pop-house, incorporating additional breaks and subtle beat modifications that keep the remix danceable while offering a new, richer texture to the original track.

'Raccoon Hill EP' is a release that it's perfect for the fans who enjoy electronic music that’s accessible yet inventive. The EP comes out digitally and on vinyl - ideal for anyone looking to bring a touch of Japanese flair to their music rotation. Whether played through a games console or pumping from club speakers, the EP is both a nostalgic callback and a modern hit, setting a high bar for Guchon’s growing discography either solo or with his Kokushimusou duet project.

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Feelings Worldwide · Feelings Worldwide | FLING009: Guchon - Raccoon Hill EP (featuring Chrissy remix) CLIPS

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[VIDEO] Dream Frequency first ever demo tape - 1990

Brace yourself for an indelible piece of gold now.

Recently, the mighty Ian Bland of the legendary Dream Frequency has discovered a tape from his treasure, that is actually the very first even demo tape that was sent directly to Nick Halkes.

And that one off try was successfully ended with his first signing and the rest is history.

On the video above you can check out a sneak preview of four tracks - some of them unreleased. The sound is solid and anyone can realize Bland's 80s synthpop/new wave influences on tunes such as 'Almost Medieval'.

A very interesting video to watch, furthermore Bland's reaction makes it quintessential.

Watch now

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DJ HH Vol.1 [Limited 12" Vinyl]

Leeds based DJ HH presents his debut vinyl release!

Get ready for a a nostalgic trip comprised of two tracks that channel the mid-90s Happy Hardcore era. Limited to just 250 copies, this release is a must-have for those who long for the days when Happy Hardcore ruled the underground.

Side A: 'Love Again'

'Love Again' is an ode to the '96-'97 vocal Happy Hardcore vibes. The bright, uplifting melody sits perfectly alongside punchy kick drums and a euphoric vocal hook, evoking the pure energy of the genre’s heyday. It’s a track that feels like a love letter to the classic era of Happy Hardcore, a time when tracks were filled with positivity and hands-in-the-air moments. The production feels polished yet authentic, capturing that timeless sound.

Side B: 'Rampage'

The B-side, 'Rampage,' shifts gears slightly, diving deeper into the raw, breakbeat-driven sound of '95-'96. With its rave stabs, roaring piano lines, and hard-hitting breaks, it pays homage to the harder edge of the genre while keeping the energy high. This track taps into the grittier side of rave culture, yet it still delivers that sense of euphoria that Happy Hardcore is known for. Notably, it had a cheeky play at Glastonbury as well.

DJ HH debut Vinyl is out now and there are only a few left, as the man behind is currently into progress of scheduling his second plate, sooner than expected...

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Flipper - Interconnected Worlds EP [Digital & 10" Vinyl]

Flipper makes a striking return to Codename Records with his debut full-length EP, entitled 'Interconnected Worlds' offering fusing ethnic tones with the fast-paced pulse of Jungle and Drum and Bass. This EP captures the artist’s fluid and imaginative sound, seamlessly blending organic and electronic worlds.

'ΙΩPOLIS' kicks off offering a mystical Eastern Mediterranean atmosphere, where the enchanting tones of instruments like the duduk and santur are woven into the mix. The result is five minutes of ever-evolving electronic music that steers clear of repetition, captivating both the imagination and the dance floor with its enchanting progression. Then, 'Jungle Takes You,' Flipper takes a sharp turn, embracing darkcore and jungle influences.

The second half of the EP brings Flipper’s rework of Toni Bassi’s 'Junak' with a unique Greek twist, layering these new flavors onto the track’s Indian-inspired elements for a rich and seamless cultural blend. And last but not least, Moakz delivers a deeply emotional remix of Flipper’s 'Don’t Blame' with his own take.

'Interconnected Worlds EP' is out now in  all platforms, on digital and can be also purchased on 10” dubplate (2 tracks).

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[VIDEO] Wild Pearl Radio: MZA (Yen Disco Soundsystem) 17.07.24

Japanese-Singaporean producer MZA, owner of Yen Disco Soundsystem, was a special guest of Wild Pearl Radio during this summertime and we are lucky to see him in action.

Our good friend Matt spins some classic, spanning silky liquid, rolling jungle, D&B and more. His set was recorded live from Wild Pearl Studio, an independent music studio in Singapore that champions music, wellbeing, and sustainability.

Watch

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Neon Pumps - Catch Fire EP

 

Listeners to my monthly radio show on the mighty Toxic Sickness Radio will have heard a few Neon Pumps tunes this year. I'd heard of Neon Pumps as someone to be aware of , bubbling up locally but it wasn't until the release for the excellent Cat Nav album a tour de force of breaks, jungly  idm and glitch that I became  truly switched  on to the sound of da pumps. 

Neon Pumps is a multi-genre DJ & Producer based in Stroud UK .  Her Resident Advisor blurb states  that she brings a bouncy, energetic sound to her DJ sets, spanning deep house, disco, acid, UKG, DnB, 160, Jungle, Techno & Speedbass. I’ve been lucky enough to catch her playing out a few times now in our shared home town of Stroud and it’s an absolute treat of good vibes whether it’s  a chilled mid afternoon courtyard set or confidently  taking the stage after Nicky Blackmarket has blown the place up. The kind of DJ you just love to catch for a good night out dancing as opposed to a chin stroking discogs checking nerd fest ( which tbf I do love equally as anyone who attends   the John Bass Scoops Safe Place, otherwise known as  the Education Sessions nights at Cosies, will have observed and I once had to explain to someone moaning at me for being on my phone for an entire Endo vs Kung Fu Foster B2B). 

Anyway, this week see's the releases of her latest EP, Catch Fire, out this Friday 11th October . A double tracker on a techno leaning tip that doesn't disappoint and reflects the artists genre flexibility. First up is Forest  , a distinctly darkened  warehouse rave type tune, it's electronically deliciously  derived and  reverbed pulses driving it  ever forwards. on the flip is Bring me Back , a much lighter offering, harder in the bpm's but brighter in the feels. A heady combination of syncopated chiming and ticking, dx bass  and even a cat purr in there too , yes you read that right. This is what I'd say  is what Neon Pumps signature sound is all about, uplifting but with just enough edge to keep you excited about what's coming up next.

Until next time dear breakbeat'rz.......John Bass Scoops

Available to buy here