Imagine it's 1991, and the happy vibes of the "Top of the Pops" style dance music that emerged in the UK thanks to some funny little pills that makes people hug each other evolves into... Hardcore. Then comes Jungle, Breaks, DNB, etc. OG #raveclassics.

Another rave classic that ticks all the early 90's "Hardcore" genre boxes. Breaks samples, sampler pitching up and down, odd vocal samples, rave pianos... it's all there. The template for Jungle and even IDM can be heard right here. #raveclassics #jungle

An absolute MONSTER of a track from 1991's Hardcore era with an iconic rave stab melody (that got more than a nod of nostalgia in PNAU's "Wild Strawberries" two decades later). The official video was also a bit... out there for the time. #raveclassics #PLUR

This is most memorable for producers as one of the earliest peak time uses of the Alpha Juno's "Hoover" sound, known then as the patch name "What The?". #raveclassics #hoover #roland #juno

We can't talk about rave classics without giving respect to The Prodigy in their Hardcore era. Big breaks, strings, vocal chops, and the hint of Liam's harder sound to come. Total banger even to this day. Respect to XL for taking risks on the culture. #raveclassics #jungle

Here's a classic of the early 90s Hardcore scene that shows the future of Drum'n'Bass that would follow, and where the deeper UK dubstep themes would emerge from. And yes, that's actually a car horn used for the rave stab sounds. #raveclassics #jungle

A true anthem of the early 90s, and part of the reason why we flocked to anything with that Moving Shadow logo after a while. This one from 1991, "Bombscare" by 2 Bad Mice and that unmistakable cue, cue, cue vinyl count-in. Classic. #raveclassics #movingshadow

XL Records were all over the early rave scene, taking chances on young producers inventing genres in realtime. We can call this "Hardcore", in the early 1990s, but the template for DNB and even Dubstep can be heard from this UK-centric party music. #raveclassics

This one did the rounds as a white label in 1990, sold directly from Camden Markets, and building up a base from the underground. Play it sped up, or go the original tempo for that post-rave comedown chillout mode... banger. Satin Storm did it proper. #raveclassics

Just in time for #newmusicfriday... "To Leave The Sea". This is for all the Trip-Hop and Jazz fans who like a bit of upbeat groove. You can call it Balearic House if you want to. I just hope you enjoy it :)

youtu.be/0VtEj9HKeNo

Love this mix... calm, funky, all the vibes.

Foul Play dropped this classic in 1992, which might be hard for some of the younger listeners to image, during the peak period right after Acid House evolved into Hardcore (which would evolve further into Jungle and Drum'n'Bass). #raveclassics