Download Side B – 32:09, 73.6 MB

320kbps, 44.1kHz stereo

Preview

I taped this off the radio one night (CHIN 100.7FM Toronto) during the peak of exposure of electronic music, back when you were guaranteed some sort of reputable techno or cousin thereof on the airwaves at any time of day.  No fun story to share about this tape.  DJ Dominik was one of the members of the Canadian Hardcore Collective;  a group of Torontonian DJs who hosted hardcore techno radio shows.  I’d always figured Toronto Hardcore Collective would have had a more impactful acronym but what do I know.

Dominik is unquestionably a well-respected DJ due to his music, his abrupt juggles and cuts, and especially his musical tastes, specializing in Dutch-style hardcore and gabber.  His style has always been very well defined – very Dominik – and no one else in the city had the records this guy had. This mix is a perfect example of what one could expect from the man at a party or club. That is, if he showed up.

I swear, I went out of my way to score tickets to perhaps 6 parties Dominik was booked at, and he showed up for the gig maybe once.  I’ve also got a 4-tape continuous recording of a flustered DJ Frisky who was supposed to do a tag-team show with Dominik but he never showed up, leaving the poor chap with 6 hours of airtime and 3 hours of records.  Other times I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find him spinning to an empty room, unannounced, at some club or event, leaving plenty of space for me to hop around to his bouncy basslines.

Dominik has played for crowds all over the world so perhaps his fairweather reputation doesn’t leave the city, but it’s the second trait that comes to mind after his outstanding skills.  Regardless, don’t let my jaded, fuzzy recollection of trifling nightlife politics muddy your opinion of this mix.  His transitions and beatmatching are terrific, he plays many gems most hardcore heads have never heard, and what you hear here is consistent with what you can expect when you see the man live.  Dominik is one of Toronto’s most admired and accomplished DJs and one of the true founders of our rave scene.

Download Side B – 25:17, 46.3 MB

256kbps, 44.1kHz stereo

Preview

This is a recording of just another night on DJ Marcus Visionary’s and DJ Prime’s show, The Prophecy, on CIUT 89.5 FM, Toronto, circa 1998.  Three fine jungle DJs grace the decks in this recording – host Marcus, and fellow locals Everfresh and Slide.  The Prophecy show has been a Toronto institution as long as I’d been attending raves and clubs (1996), and likely a lot earlier than even that.

This show is a a little on the chatty side which is a shame.  Marcus is a great DJ whose talents and radio show get better with every passing year, but his show has always been stuffed to the gills with his yammering.  In this 60-minute recording there’s maybe 5 minutes of talking (overtop the beats) so be ye fairly warned, sez I.

It’s cool having 3 DJs in the span on an hour because we’re treated to a good variety of flavours.  Marcus grinds into gear with some grimey tech jungle, and Everfresh and Slide pick up where Marcus leaves off, easing gradually into more ethereal and soothing sounds.  I’m not sure whether it’s Everfresh or Slide who drops it, but side 2 of this mix features my favourite D&B track of all time – Grooverider’s remix of Pacific by 808 State.  Also watch out for Miles From Home by Peshay, one of my favourite jazzy/liquid D&B producers, on the second side.

I’ve always been big on jungle music but it was kind of an also-ran – I’d go to parties to see various headliners playing other genres and I’d traipse into the accompanying jungle room a few times to see what’s up and change the pace.  So, unfortunately, I don’t have any particularly witty tales of wacky exploits related to these DJs.  The best I’ve got is my recollection of a party in Hamilton, Ontario, that I checked out with some of my pals, when we witnessed Marcus snarf a heroic rail off the side of a 1200 before pounding out an enthusiastic set.

The Prophecy is on from 8-10pm Eastern Standard Time and you can listen in on the CIUT live radio stream.  It’s well worth your time too, as Marcus’ style has really evolved a lot over the years, so in addition to the latest jungle styles and white labels you can hear the likes of garage, jazzy breakbeats, and other various percussive treats.