2 Bad Mice – Bomb Scare – 1991

Formed in 1991, 2 Bad Mice are widely credited as among the first UK hardcore acts to begin heavily incorporating breakbeats into the style. Members Sean O’Keeffe, Simon Colebrooke and producer Rob Playford (owner of Moving Shadow records), 2 Bad Mice were a huge influence on the ’90s hardcore scene.

Bomb Scare was everywhere in 1992, Top Buzz and The Ratpack especially used to cane this monster of a track. Thumping drums and that unmistakable stab made this a 1992 summer anthem.

Liquid – Sweet Harmony – 1992

Shane Heneghan aka ‘Model‘ and Eamon Downes aka ‘Ame‘ copied the piano riff, synth and vocals from ‘Someday‘ by Ce Ce Rogers and got to No. 15 in the UK music charts.

Probably the most recognisable piano riff in dance music history? It’s been sampled to death, and for good reason. Every DJ in the UK was dropping this one in 1992, absolute BANGER.

Son’z Of A Loop Da Loop Era – Far Out – 1991

Daniel Whiddett aka ‘Danny Breaks’ aka ‘Sonz of a Loop da Loop Era’ made this piano anthem in 1991. This tune has been used on TV adverts well into the 2000’s and is a legendary track within the rave scene. Danny was way ahead of his time, his samples and engineering on this tune sound as crisp as a tune made years later.

The Prodigy – Out of Space – 1992

The most important band to evolve from the UK rave scene are without a doubt, The Prodigy. Released in November 1992, Out of Space is probably their most famous track and reached number 5 in the UK charts, sampling the 1976 track by Max Romeo & the Upsetters; ‘I Chase the Devil‘‘. Never mind underground raves and illegal warehouse parties, even your Dad remembers this one! – RIP Keef.

Baby D – Let me be Your Fantasy – 1992

Originally released in 1992 by Production House and cained at every rave in the country, ‘Let me be Your Fantasy‘ written by Floyd Dyce with vocals from Dorothy Fearon was re-released in November 1994 by London Records‘ subsidiary Systematic and subsequently became the UK No. 1. Underground rave records making the UK number 1 was crazy. A fantastic atmospheric piano led vocal track that was recognised even outside the rave scene.

Altern 8 – Activ 8 – 1991

Altern 8, Mark Archer and Chris Peat, crafted this banger from 1991 which got to number 3 in the UK singles chart. The legendary “Top One Nice One Get Sorted” vocal voiced by the label (Network) owner’s three year old daughter, and the “Let’s get mental in the house!” vocal is sampled from MC Man Parris during Derrick May‘s set at Amnesia House in Coventry 1990. Mark is a friend of mine and told me he got signed to Network records talking to the owner one night in a wine bar I used to frequent that was two minutes walk from my house. Mad.

The Family Foundation – Express Yourself – 1992

From Manchester, UK, The Family Foundation dropped this monster in 1992, female vocal with a reggae influence and thumping drums, this was everywhere in 1992.

A Homeboy a Hippie and a Funki Dredd – Total Confusion – 1990

Early days of rave music that set the scene up coming out of the acid house days, this banger from 1990 dropped big drums for its time and let us know what was coming. An important track in the history of rave music that sampled Public Enemy and Iggy Pop to name but a few.

SL2 – On a Ragga Tip – 1992

The legendary DJ Slipmatt and his buddy DJ Lime (SL2) released this banger in 1992 that made number 2 in the UK singles charts, the ridiculously catchy hook meant even your Grandad had heard this one. Sampling Jah Screechy’s ‘Walk and Skank‘ and Kid ‘n Play‘s ‘Gittin’ Funky‘ this one was everywhere in 1992.

Ratpack – Searchin’ for my Rizla – 1992

Huge rave tune about Evenson’s favourite hobby! This was everywhere in ’92, the daft lyrics were to the tune of ‘Suzanne Vega – Tom’s Diner‘ but with great beats and an infectious piano it was a massive track from the summer of 1992.