Article Summary: How rave music evolved during 1990. Acid house was fading and a darker, harder sound was emerging. Here’s my seven of my favourite rave, break beat and techno tracks that defined that fantastic year, tracks which made dance music history.
Between 1987 and 1992, electronic music mutated considerably. Many consider these years to be dance music’s most formative period, especially in the burgeoning UK rave scene.
During the mid to late 80s, acid house, hip house and Chicago house were the dominant forms of electronic music. But even as early as 1990, the music had started to change and split.
And 1990 was a pivotal year in this change. Acid house and hip house were becoming less popular, and the roots of the oncoming rave sound had started to grow and emerge.
Table of Contents
Why 1990 Was a Turning Point for 90s Rave Music
The music around this time was starting to get tougher, more unforgiving, and more heavily influenced by 80s techno and electro.
There was a lot of bleep and bass-style techno emerging from the UK (especially the North). Belgian and Dutch producers were also adding to this musical melting pot. This fusion resulted in music that sounded harder and darker — heavier-sounding kick drums and breakbeats, speaker-blowing bass lines, and computer-style bleep stabs and strings.
Many consider tracks from this period to represent the ‘warehouse’ sound, synonymous with large raves, air horns, and convoys of cars meeting up to hunt down the next rave.
That’s what this article focuses on: seven favourite rave tracks from 1990 (and no other year).
This list is just one opinion and isn’t meant to be definitive. What qualifies as rave music can vary, especially for those more familiar with dance music from later years. Writing a list like this is inherently subjective, and is simply an attempt to highlight some great music from that year and take a short trip down memory lane.
It can also get tricky with an article like this, as there is often confusion between when tracks were played by DJs (and first heard by ravers) and when they were officially released or even bootlegged. Sometimes there were long delays between the two, so please don’t give too much grief if a year or two is slightly out.
If anything has been missed, feel free to add suggestions in the comments below.
Anyway, onwards…
1. Joey Beltram – Beltram Vol. 1
Joey Beltram started DJing when he was just 12, playing mostly hip hop and early electro. Later, around 1985, he made the switch to house.
When this EP was released, he was only nineteen. It’s often said he didn’t even fully understand what techno was at the time, yet he still produced one of the most influential releases of the era.
Most people know Beltram’s most famous track, Energy Flash, but the other tracks on this EP are excellent too and still hold up well today.
Energy Flash is a deceptively simple tune, built around a pounding bassline, plodding beats, and that haunting ecstasy sample. Together, these elements create a dark, sinister, drug-influenced atmosphere.
The programming and arrangement are near perfect. It’s widely regarded as one of the best techno tracks of all time and perfectly captures the mood of the era.
Energy Flash may be the standout track, but the others deserve attention too:
Another favourite from this EP:
This EP is a true 1990s rave classic and deserves a place in any serious techno DJ’s record collection.
2. LFO – LFO
Another track that needs no introduction, famous for a bassline known to blow speakers.
LFO’s LFO (Leeds Warehouse Mix) is stark, minimal and industrial. If there’s one track that encapsulates bleep ’n’ bass techno from this period, this is it.
There’s a rumour that when the vinyl was being cut, the pressing machine started smoking due to the extremely low-frequency bassline.
Like Joey Beltram, LFO produced many other great records. For fans of industrial-sounding techno, later tracks such as Tied Up and What Is House? are well worth exploring.
Sadly, in 2014, LFO member Mark Bell passed away. A true innovator.
3. Blapps Posse – Bus’ It
Most people know Blapps Posse for their best-known track, Don’t Hold Back, which is a great tune in its own right (excluding the rap version).
With Bus’ It, the early foundations of UK hardcore begin to creep in. It’s a stormer of a track, featuring heavy breakbeats, thumping bass, and some excellent scratching, even by today’s standards.
The track twists and turns, with clever samples sprinkled throughout. It has aged remarkably well and is still played at old-school reunion nights around the North West of England.
4. Eon – Spice
A massive tune that still sounds fantastic today and a perfect example of how much of a melting pot 1990 really was.
Listen closely and you’ll hear influences of techno, electro, and early hardcore beginning to surface.
The main vocal sample was lifted from the 1984 film Dune.
Eon produced many quality records beyond this breakbeat rave classic. Their 1992 album Void Dweller is particularly worth seeking out, even though none of their later releases achieved the same recognition as Spice.
5. Mental Cube – Chile of the Bass Generation
Mental Cube was one of several aliases used by Future Sound of London. While many ravers know Papua New Guinea, fewer are aware of the excellent material released under these alternative names.
This EP contains three standout tracks: the funky title track, the short but effective Dope Module, and the epic Q, which remains a firm favourite.
Once again, the early roots of UK hardcore can be heard beginning to form.
A superb EP and a worthy addition to any record collection.
6. Together – Hardcore Uproar
A classic rave track featuring a sample from Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars film.
The opening sample of a rave crowd, complete with air horns, immediately sets the atmosphere and works perfectly when played loud.
The piano breakdown is a real highlight, featuring one of the most uplifting piano riffs of the era.
The duo behind the track were from Blackburn in the UK. Sadly, the group was short-lived, as one of the members passed away around 1991.
Further background can be found here:
https://patmellow.uk/interviews/together-forever-how-acid-house-anthem-hardcore-uproar-came-to-be/
7. Evolution – Came Outta Nowhere (Sasha Mix)
A classic Shelly’s and Sasha tune that could be heard everywhere, from major clubs to large-scale raves, including Quadrant Park, Wigan Pier, the Hacienda, and Angels in Burnley.
The track has a strong, atmospheric intro and excellent production throughout. While several versions exist, the Sasha mix remains the standout.
Evolution released several quality tracks, including Metropolis in 1991, which remains a firm favourite.
Conclusion
That concludes this list of seven great rave tunes from 1990. While many other excellent records were released that year, this selection highlights some of the most influential and memorable tracks from a pivotal moment in rave history.
If anything has been missed, feel free to leave a comment below.
Thanks bud