San Francisco Rave ’92-’93

By Adam Whiteside

Get your Vicks Vapo-Rub, backpack, goofy hat, Docs, raveralls, dustmask and egg shaker… We are about to delve into the era of purple shields, microdots, black licorice & 4-way windowpanes.

 San Francisco in the early 90s has been referred to as the mecca of the house music scene. Although imported from England, via New York & LA, the SF scene took on a feeling and a purpose all its own. While fueled by earlier parties such as Mr Floppy’s Flophouse in Oakland, Pull My Finger, and Don’t Sit On The Furniture, it was not until a bunch of Brit expat DJs, namely Markie, Jeno, Garth, Simon, Thomas & Tony and party promoter extroadinaire Martin O’Brien, among others, busted the scene wide open with the Wicked Soundsystem parties, Come-Unity, FullMoon parties and The Gathering (Basics, Organic, Vision, Freedom), all of which possessed a decidedly organic, back to nature vibe. The New Years Eve 1991 Toon Town Party is widely considered the first true SF massive, and yes there were lots of glowsticky-glossy-commercial massives taking place each weekend, (such as Cool World Productions, Wally World and those parties thrown at Oakland’s Intl. Trade Ctr behind a Home Base Retail Ctr, which gave it its name – belch!) but those in the know sought out the aforementioned events, thrown in filthy monstrous warehouses, beaches, dirt fields and funky little garagey clubs. I even have stories about secret map points, and clandestine shuttles to illegal locations in the back of  U-Haul trucks, or tales of legendary sound renegades who would literally climb power poles and jack in to the grid.

Later in the decade such events as Stompy, Funky Techno Tribe and the legendary Sunset parties, which were/are held once a month, on Sunday afternoons became staples as well.  Every 4th of July, The Gathering would throw an outdoor event at a big dirt racetrack, off the beaten path, known as Freedom.  At the second Freedom, one of the surrounding hillsides caught fire, and many of those in attendance (myself included) ran up and literally danced on top of the flames extinguishing it with… well, lets just say love.  This event is documented by two YoutTube videos titled “Let Freedumb Rave-fire On The Mountain” I only mention this, as it was a highlight of many a ravers experience, and is still spoken of with reverence on SF rave message boards. Two years later, Freedom was witness to a Space Shuttle flyover, at about 6AM, although those in attendance swear up and down it was alien visitors being drawn close by all the good vibes. The SF scene started to fracture in the mid to late ’90s as events started to return to the clubs, and more of an acid jazz, hip-hop infused, loungey vibe started to attract the ears and feet of many of the early attendees. One of the most famous of these club weeklies was Mushroom Jazz, which started out as a tiny weekly event, and has since catapulted Mark Farina to worldwide fame and acclaim. It is nice to be able to say, “I knew him when…” Other area Djs of note for this time period are Harry Who?, Rick Preston, Spun, Josh, Carlos, Ernie Munson and Dutch (Opulent Temple). I know i have missed a few…(sorry fellas).  The following tracks represent a snapshot in time, say ’92-’93, and while it is true that if you ask ten old ravers for their idea of the most memorable songs of a specific era, you will get ten different answers, and there will be those that say, “How could you not include this track, or that track?” I am confident those who were there would agree that all the following tracks truly represent this period in time, and deserve their rightful place on this list. It was very hard limiting it to 15 tracks. These tracks must be listened to LOUD. Happy trails & PLUR!!!

Cryogenic Husk #36 – San Francisco Rave ’92/’93

1) Future Sound Of London – Papua New Guinea

2) Liberty City – Some Lovin’ (Deep Dub)

3) Ultraviolet Catastrophe – Trip Harder

4) Blow – Cutter

5) Coco Steel & Lovebomb – Feel It

6) Mother – All Funked Up

7) Jump -Funkatarium

8) God Within – Raincry (Spiritual Thirst)

9) Rabbit In The Moon – Phases Of An Out Of Body Experience

10) SL2 – DJs Take Control

11) Studio X – Los Kings Del Mambo

12) Dubtribe Sound Tribe – Mother Earth

13) Gat Decor – Passion

14) Brothers Love Dubs – The Mighty Ming

15) Jam & Spoon – Stella

 

1) Future Sound of London – Papau New Guinea

Released in 1991, and included in the soundtrack of the movie Cool World in 1992, this track was really a call to arms for a generation of kids looking to burn the night away. Although the record is heavily based around Meat Beat Manifesto’s ”Radio Babylon” and “Helter Skelter”, it is still considered a masterpiece. The song also samples Dead Can Dance’s “Dawn of the Iconoclast”. If there were one song to carry fourth to future generations to best explain the early SF rave scene, this would be it.

2) Liberty City – Some Lovin’ (Deep Dub)

Liberty City was an alias of the Murk Boys (Ralph Falcon & Oscar Gaetan) from Florida, who specialized in the deepest of vocal dubby house. The original track, which included lyrics by Bebe Dozier was also a huge hit, but for my money, this was the version. The bassline has a sticky quality, which literally sucks you in, as if caught in a molasses fog. When one hears the term ‘deep house’, this is what they are talking about. The Murk Boys had a few follow up hits, they once again struck gold a year later with “Reach for Me” recorded under the name Funky Green Dogs From Outer Space… Don’t ask, cause I don’t know where they got that one ;)

3) Ultraviolet Catastrophe – Trip Harder

San Fran’s own UVC (Jon Drukman, Jeff Taylor & Mike Wertheim – Twitch Records) really changed the game with this record. This particular track was my personal favorite for at least a year, and was the first ‘house’ record I ever bought. The relentless break was dark and dirty. It samples Alice in Wonderland commenting, “What a perculiar place to have a party.” Which was apropos as most parties were thrown in peculiar places (bus yards, giant underground air conditioning vaults, airplane hangars, beaches, abandoned… and I mean ABANDONED warehouse spaces, etc…)

4) Blow – Cutter

Blow was a trumpet player, he used to play next to the DJ.  I know in todays world of multiple iterations of every conceivable combination this idea is as commonplace as khaki pants, but 20 years ago, at least say 4 or 5 in the morning, when you are not feeling quite yourself, these live performances were the stuff of legends… truly mind blowing and spine tingling. This track contains a few of the essential elements of the earlier hardcore sound, such as organ stabs sirens, and a quicker snappy break. Live instrumentation, breakbeats and a general aire of funkiness were what SF was all about.

5) Coco Steel & Lovebomb – Feel It

Samples Peech Boys’ “Life Is Something Special” (Warp Records), again that dubby deep sound rears its head, with an almost tribal backbeat… only this time, a little more progressive, with some more blatant ravey qualities

6) Mother – All Funked Up

This was a floor filler… You would see folks running from their makeshift perches on the periphery of the party,  in unison, hoping to settle in to a good patch of dirt (remember, the best parties were in fields and stuff) and groove their hearts out by the one minute mark.

7) Jump – Funkatarium

SF always had a sort of slouchy, hippie, dreaded type of vibe to it. This track relays that image well to me. Everyone used to sorta dance around all hunched over, like a pack of elephants, shuffling back and forth, kicking up dust,  arms swinging to and fro like big ol’ trunks. This track contains elements of the guitar riff from “Chant #1″ by Spandau Ballet.  Groove Armada charted this track at #1 in 2008, over 15 years after its release.

8) God Within – Raincry (Spiritual Thirst)

The brothers Hardkiss…..where to begin. SF’s prodigal children of the night.  The next two tracks are quite possibly the most loved and revered recordings of the day.

God Within – Scott Hardkiss’ masterpiece, “Raincry”.  Yes, it is very similar to Degrees of Motion ”Do You Want It Right Now (Motion Beats Mix)” – which happens to be my favorite single record of the era, but this record was more widely received, and contained the etherial quality that had come to define the scene, especially when that scene was taken outdoors, to places like Baker Beach and Bonny Dune.  The album Delusions Of Grandeur is without question the most treasured album of my extended rave family. It holds a special place to us, an indelible mark on each of our souls. This track was also used in FIFA 99, or so I have been told.

9) Rabbit In The Moon – Phases of an Out of Body Experience

Florida’s David Christophere, better known as Rabbit in the Moon is a great guy, and shares my birthday, unfortunately I do not share his musical genius. This track was also released on the Hardkiss album mentioned above. Heartbreakingly beautiful track, the highlight of which is Tori Amos‘ sample from “These Precious Things”. This track makes me long to spend days with old friends. How can anyone not love it… seriously.

10) SL2 – DJs Take Control

Slipmatt & Lime  (SL2)  This track also conjures up the earlier hardcore days (1989-1991), sampling Dope on Plastic ”Uptown” (oldskool Hip Hop) and samples the instantly recognizable synth stab from early house pioneers Night Writers ”Let The Music Use You”. This particular synth sample has shown up countless times on numerous releases,  yet it was this particular track that made it what it is.

11) Studio X – Los Kings Del Mambo

DJ Dig-it & DJ EFX recorded this jam above BPM Records in SF. It samples “We Got A Love” from First Choice’s ”Let No Man Put Asunder”.  Also from that song (“Let No Man…”) came the ubiquitous house sample “It’s not over…”  which was used many times on numerous tracks, including Ron Hardy’s re-edit,  and most famously by Kramer Dashwood, on the track “Ron Hardy’s Ghost” (after his passing). “Los Kings Del Mambo” was widely embraced throughout Cali, with its decidedly latin vibe. The “We Got A Love” sample was laid over everything possible, and I’m sure there were plenty of DJs who wore out the first two grooves of this record while leaving the rest of the vinyl intact. The real payoff, however, comes at the 3:45 mark with the uber funky organ riff.  Oh so good!

12) Dubtribe Sound System – Mother Earth

Sunshine and Moonbeam were a live house music act from SF who played with a ragtag group of various live musicians and percussionists in a very drum circle esque style. I remember them always sitting on the floor with their equipment. They took the whole ‘no stage’ thing to the next level. “Mother Earth” was a very ‘earth-centric’  track, and contains the famous lyric: “I wan’t my planet back” which was more of a proclamation than a simple group of words strung together, followed by what I’m convinced is a Grace Jones ”Warm Leatherette” sample.  They recorded under various names including Trip ta Funk Soundsystem. The link above (Rave Documentary) contains another of their bigger tracks (“Sunshines Theme”).

13) Gat Decor – Passion

I will admit right now, the next two records choke me up a little. First, “Passion”, a great 4/4 chugger that, from the opening notes, epitomizes the scene. I swear, this track brings me right back to cresting the dunes at Bonny Dune, and stomping down the bluffs to partake in all sorts of silliness. I can almost feel the night air. The emotional piano breakdown, beginning at the 2:50 mark and riding through to the 5:00 mark is just pure uncut SF FullMoon massive… all the way!!! This is what the parties sounded like, generically speaking.  This is a goosebumps inducing breakdown to almost anyone who was there.

14) Brothers Love Dubs – The Mighty Ming

Like the Gat Decor track above, this is another progressive 4/4 stomper that slowly and steadily builds to an etherial break at the 3:06 min. mark and then again, even more so at the 5:25 min. mark.  I can still see all the revelers pausing in unison, to catch a breath, run fingers thru cold scalps, hands on knees, or raised to the night sky, as if beckoning the arrival of some spiritual insight, within the shifting shapes projected upon the abyss. The Brothers had another big follow up track called “Mings Incredible Disco Machine”, which displayed more of a funky happy vibe, rather than the introspective sound of “The Mighty Ming”.

15) Jam & Spoon – Stella

Commonly mixed with FSOL’s “Papua…”, this was the one. This was another track that received some mainstream play. Lie on the cool ground and watch the green smoke swirl thru the lasers until disappearing into the beyond. Their mix of Age of Love’s “The Age of Love” was another major success from this Frankfurt duo, and is instantly recognizable as another huge SF sound staple. I had trouble picking between the two.

In closing, I would just like to state that the tracks selected were done so in an effort to shine the light on a couple of years in the SF scene, and I tried to pick ‘middle of the road hits’ which give a true representation of this time period.  The genres contained within the early house music scene are vast, and one could create dozens of mixes, focusing on any one particular style, be it Breakbeat (Joey Beltram – Let It Ride),  Vocal House (Lil’ Louis – Club Lonely), Early Hardcore (T99 – Anastasia),  Acid House (Bobby Konders -Nervous Acid) Progressive House (Boomshanka -Do What You Wanna Do), Tribal House (House of Gypsys – Somba), Trance (Age of Love – The Age of Love),  Happy Hardcore (Smarties - Sesame’s Street), Jungle/D&B (Both Ends  – Underkut),  Ambient (Skylab – Next)  and onanonanon…

 

Tagged as: Best Of, Electronic, Future Sound Of London, Retrospective