This was the first New England party I can remember having a strong New York influence. Seems it was the first to sell tickets in NY and New Jersey, work with promoters there to publicize the event and organize buses, and to hire a large contingent of NY djs. Primary knew that to throw an event of this magnitude they’d have to “unite the tribes.” Up to this point, New England parties (especially those in Maine) had a very different vibe than was found in NYC, Baltimore, DC, and Philly. Up north it was more innocent and carefree; in NYC and south it was a lot more serious. When the crowds came together I think it made for a great mix, though with the NYC crowd came a darker, shadier element. As time went on this shady, “hoody” element became synonymous with Connecticut events and could be found often in Massachusetts but for the most part the beloved Maine vibe was spared.

The best part about the event of course was the music. Here we have a recording of back-to-back sets by a couple of really talented UK DJs, Tin Tin and Bob Bentley. It has to be said that Tin Tin was a total douche and his support in New England ended six months later at Independance when he decided he deserved more money and punched out Kris Clark, a sweet guy who was responsible for not only the first raves in New England, but a long string of extremely memorable ones that gave Portland, ME, the reputation for having the best vibe in New England. That said, Tin Tin does an amazing job here, throwing acapellas here and there on top of the biggest trance and progressive house jams of the time. The highlight for me is his transition into progressive house using the acapella of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (starting at 44:40). The magic happens at 47:24 when he takes the dance track out completely and lets the acapella ride on it’s own for a couple of bars before dropping the Steve Anderson remix of Paul McCartney’s “Deliverance”. The key changes from major to minor and the mood created by the two records together is something profound.

Two interesting things to note about this recording: first, these DJs have their records pitched up much faster than you could play them on conventional Technics. They were able to maintain such an energetic tempo because the decks they were using had been modified to support +/- 16% pitch control; a modification necessary for the hardcore djs who played earlier in the night.

Second, a puzzle for the trainspotters. This recording was digitized from a cassette tape. I’ve glued the recordings of the two sides of the tape into one mp3 file. The first side of the tape begins with one of my all-time favorite records, “Mantra” by CJ Bolland. There is a possible change of DJs at 07:14 when “Age of Love” is faded out and new track starts from the beginning. The first side ends fading out at 39:09 on another all-time fav, Gat Decor’s “Passion” (Naked Mix). The second side begins with “Passion” being cut suddenly and the acapella of “Fever Called Love” possibly starting a new dj set (pretty sure it’s Tin Tin starting the progressive portion of his set). At 1:05:30 Tin Tin ends his set and Bob Bentley begins (hard to miss thanks to Frankie Bones, who could never get off the mic soon enough for me). Here’s where it gets tricky: the second side ends with “Mantra”. It was common in those days for songs to be played several times in a night (it’s sad that this practice has since become frowned upon but then there aren’t as many memorable anthems being played, either). In essence, the first side begins with the same song as the second side ends, and the first side ends with the same song as the second side begins. So the question is, who is playing on the first side? Does the first side actually come chronologically after the second? It wouldn’t be the first tape I have like this.) My guess is that, based on the use of acapellas, the tape is in correct chronological order, and the first side is Tin Tin. If that is the case, who played before Tin Tin (ending with “Age of Love”)? Amusing coincidence…

Hope you enjoy this as much as I continue to.

[download]

Tracklist
00:00 CJ Bolland “Mantra”
01:04 unknown
03:37 The Age Of Love “Age Of Love” (Watch Out For Stella Club Mix) fade out
07:14 unknown
10:26 Mukkaa “Buruchacca” (Dub Mix)
14:39 Leftfield “Song of Life”
18:32 LaTour “Blue” (Underground Ice Pick Mix)
21:43 Ege Bam Yasi “Bubble” (Active Ingredients Mix)
25:34 unknown
27:38 unknown
31:29 Pamela Fernandez “Kickin’ In The Beat” (Acapella)
32:59 unknown
37:00 Gat Decor “Passion” (Naked Mix) (acapella unknown)
39:09 tape flips. Gat Decor “Passion” (Naked Mix) record cuts out
39:37 unknown (some beatless remix of Rising High Collective “Fever Called Love”?)
43:07 unknown
43:50 unknown
47:24 Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (A Capella)
47:53 Paul McCartney “Deliverance” (Steve Anderson Remix)
53:36 Spooky “Land Of Oz” (Emerald City Mix)
55:45 Sister Sledge “We Are Family” (Sure Is Pure Remix)
1:00:38 Dina Carrol “Ain’t No Man” (Brothers In Rhythm Remix)
1:05:43 Frankie Bones announces end of Tin Tin, beginning of Bob Bentley
1:05:55 unknown
1:09:11 React 2 Rhythm “Intoxication” (Dubfield Mix)
1:12:37 unknown (sample: “I get so restless…”)
1:15:36 unknown
1:19:24 CJ Bolland “Mantra”

Thanks for your help with the tracklist: Overload, DJ ERX