Ciao everyone. I've been out of the country for almost 4 months; thus, I'm sorry that these reviews are not as up to date as they should be. However, my cohort, Noah, told me that not many great tunes have come out lately, so I've picked some records I like that should still be available (in fact I know they are because I just checked out my friend's order sheets the other night). I haven't been back long enough to see all the flyers that are out, but by the looks of it, it seems that no East Coast New Year's party bothered to book a happy hardcore dj (so go and bitch at your promoters you happy ravers).

On another note... a new state-side distributor opened up with a very nice selection of happy hardcore. It's name: Magestic. Any of your local record stores should have no problem in getting shipments from them. The only problem is that: A) you have to order at least $100-150 (I'm not sure of the exact amount) of records, and B) the shipping is around $15 by ground and $25 by air (eneither way is really a good deal). Your best bet is to get your local record store owner (who should have a fax machine) to fax them at: (213)651-0465 and get a complete list of their stock or just call them at: (213)651-0275 and then order $150 dollars worth of all those Force & Styles tracks you never got ahold of. You;re not going to be able to hear the tunes over the phone first (like with Nocturnal), but it is by far the most direct way of getting happy hardcore

By the way, thanks to everyone who mailed me (or Noah) about the first page; there's nothing more valuable than hearing your support, suggestions, or your encouragement. Keep the comments coming! noahphex@hardcorps.org -or- dcypol@hotmail.com Peace!

DNA, BREEZE & MUNCHIE Insanity/Your Love Hits Me (rmx) [Essential Platinum]

This is one of those singles that both tracks are sooo good it makes it hard to pick a favorite. Both have that anthem sound which Essential Platinum has been capitalizing on lately (too bad neither Hixxy or Dougal have been writing the tunes though). Highlights on "Insanity" include a great piano build with high pitched and high energy vocals. Also this gated p-p-p-p-pow pow sample adds some nice punches. On the flip side, the remix of "Your Love Hits Me (like Thunder)" really demolishes the original version. The synth lines are dense but not over bearing and the original vocals (which rocked before) still sound great. [Dcypol] 

VARIOUS ARTISTS Hardcore Heaven Vol. 1 [Heaven Music Limited]

I'm not the biggest fan of compilations simply because when you press three tracks on one side of a record the quality of the sound is a bit lowered. But really, as long as you leave some room to crank up the old gain knob, who on the dancefloor ever notices anyways? Hardcore Heaven has most of the recently released anthems you might have missed and two tracks that are still on dub plates. The shiners include: Juicey Cuts Vol.5, Go Mental's "You've Had It", Force & Styles "Pretty Green Eyes", etc. etc. The only problem is that if you buy it because you never got that Dj Ham "On My Own" remix when it came out you still miss out on the kickin' "Samplemania" remix that was on the b side to the 12". Regardless, you pick up 18 tracks for $25-30, which saves us Djs who buy imports quite a few bucks. [Dcypol] 

ILLOGIK & DNA Kick Your Legs in the Air/Hold Your Head Up High [Essential Platinum]

If you've seen any happy hardcore Djs play recently, it's almost a givin' that they dropped this anthem. It might be played out (like the poor ol' rainbow song) and it might follow the typical Happy UK Hardcore formula a little too closely, but I don't care, girls like it so I'm reviewing it. It has a chest pounding bassline, a great piano loop, and chicks singing "I'll Set You Freeeeeee" thoughout. "Hold Your Head..." does not really come close in play value, in fact it's downright cheesey. But it's not cheesey to the point where your friends tell you to take off your shirt; and it does well as a song that just keeps the vibe flowin' and gives the dancers a break from all the the insane build-ups like those on the other side. [Dcypol] 

DJ TWIST & FRIENDLY We Like Rain/Mayhem [Funky Breaks International]

Both these tracks are great revibes of that old school sound but at the proper bpm rate and kick drum applied making them easy to play with the current releases. Since both sound similar, this 12" will get reviewed in general. The synth and piano lines follow a more 1994 type happy hardcore sound along with the few break-beat loops thrown in. But the pounding bass really sends these two slammin' through the speakers (to the point where I have to EQ the bass down before I mix one in). It definitely stands out amongst the tracks released in '97 so give it a listen when you come across it. [Dcypol] 

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