Colin Dale is a bona-fide legend of the dance scene – having cut his teeth at legendary raves such as Biology, Sunrise, Energy and Tribal Gathering, Dale has played a variety of sounds over the years, migrating from funk, boogie and proto-house to acid, techno and tech house, his current signature style.
His Abstrakt Dance Show has run for an impressive 16 years on Kiss FM (he’s been working with the station for a lot longer), while he has played some of the world’s biggest clubs and festivals over close to four decades behind the decks. Dale also continues to release quality output on his Abstrakt Dance label, with Scott Robinson’s Everyone EP, released earlier this month, the latest to land on the imprint.
We’re delighted to welcome Colin Dale to 909originals for this week’s #MyRecordBag feature, which focuses on his top 90s floorfillers.
“The 90s were a very special time for electronic music and as well as being a DJ with a weekly show on Kiss FM in London, I was also able to travel the world playing sets at some of its most amazing clubs, and these are firmly etched in my mind,” he explains. “Here are some of my favourite tracks from the 90’s along with some of my favourite clubs worldwide where I used to play them.”
Amfibian – Pa Relax – Jark Prongo Remix (Touche)
“This track was a firm favourite at Knowledge, a weekly midweek club I used to run with DJ Colin Faver in the early 90s. It was one of the first regular Techno nights in London and we had some amazing guests including Aphex Twin, Sven Väth, Kevin Saunderson and Carl Cox amongst many other luminaries. Such special nights.”
Laurent Garnier – Wake Up (Fnac Records)
“This driving techno track was massive at Laurent Garnier’s residency at the Rex club at the ‘Wake Up’ nights. Always an amazing night with the Rex being one of the most well-known clubs in France and Laurent is one of the world’s best DJs.”
Tronik House – Uptempo (KMS Records)
“Rage at Heaven was instrumental in being the roots of the drum & bass scene because of Fabio & Grooverider. This classic is typical of what you’d hear there and Detroit’s Kevin Saunderson really delivers.”
Abe Duque – Acid (Abe Duque Records)
“This track was massive at The End club back in the day. The End was a purpose built club with Mr C and Layo at the helm. It had an amazing sound system, three different rooms and awesome international line ups. The End was an instant and long running success, which time and time again was voted one of London’s Best Clubs by all the magazines.”
Slam – Positive Education
“Slam in Glasgow at The Arches is another seminal techno night which was run by Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle, collectively know as Slam. This track is typical of the sounds you’d hear there and definitely one of my fave nights back in the 90’s due to its amazing atmosphere and great energy on the dance floor.”
Jungle Crew – Elektrik Dance – Mike ‘Hitman’ Wilson House Mix (Elektro Sounds)
“One of my fave Chicago jackin’ house tracks from back in the day. This was absolutely massive at Stern’s at Worthing on the South coast, which was a stately home-looking building with a cavernous huge basement area. They used to call it ‘The Underground’. A club so legendary there is a film about the club and the head man, Mensa.”
Octave One – Dawn (430 West)
“Being a massive fan of everything Detroit I was honoured to play Motor Lounge, which is a clubbing institution for techno. All the greats have played here, including Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Eddie Flashin’ Fowlkes. This track was ‘the bomb’ there.”
Phuture – The Nighttripper (ESP Records)
“Sven Vath’s Cocoon club is right up there when it comes to hot and intense clubs. The nights there in the 90’s were legendary and there was even an oxygen tank in the DJ booth in case people passed out.”
3 Phase feat. Dr Motte – Der Klang Der Familie (Tresor)
“When Club UK was open in 1993 in south London it was revolutionary, with its pop art décor and bright colours, and perfect for the emerging techno sound which was spreading globally. The club was designed and programmed by Sean McLusky and the Final Frontier nights were a bastion for techno lovers. This track from Phase 3 was always a peak time fave whenever I played there.”
Hardfloor – Acperience – Original Mix (Hardfloor)
“This Acid anthem was huge at The Cross in London’s Kings Cross and just across the road from another great club, Bagleys. The Cross was a great venue set in refurbished railway arches with connecting corridors and a floor-shaking sound system. The club was started by Billy Reilly and Keith Reilly, who went on to create London’s celebrated Fabric club.”
Thanks to Colin for your selections. Keep up to date with his latest releases and events here. Scott Robinson’s Everyone EP is out now on Abstrakt Dance Records – more information can be found here.
Check out the top tracks that the 909originals team has recently discovered through Musosoup here. To feature your music on 909originals, click here. 🙂
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