Lords of Acid - Lust

Was one of the major player in the Techno-Rave/Hardcore scene of the 1989-1991. "Take Control" is a staple song of the genre with dark synth lines and heavy reliance on ambience which is a trademark of Belgiam rave tracks. The group is basically the same as Praga Kahn, Digital Orgasm, Channel X, Jade 4 U, MNO, and other aliases that fell under the Belgium label Antler Subway, all produced by Oliver Adams, Jade 4 U, Praga Kahn, and others. Lords of Acid seems to hit the niche in the sexual overtone of its songs along with industrial type sounds, and continues to have a cult following.

Massive Attack - Blue Lines

Genre defining moment in Trip-hop.

Orb - The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (2CD)

Often overlooked, but along with Massive Attack's album, this is a staple releases that contains genre bending sounds. The first track on this (Little Fluffy Clouds) is just too beautiful.

The Prodigy - The Experience

The band that needs no introduction. Almost every track on this CD was released as single that got heavy play on rave scene of 89-91. The unique sound presented on this album is hard to deny.

Altern-8 - Full on mask hysteria

I consider this the best album of the rave/hardcore time. Altern-8 did release an EP in the states called Infiltr-8 America that actually got article on People magazine, but doesn't come close to this 75 minutes of quality.

Orbital - 2

Although may be filed under rave, Orbital's second LP is flawless and timeless. It's complex orchestration is infinately soothing and evolving. A timeless classic.

Opus III - Mind Fruit

Very underrated album. Each track is of very fine quality and the female vocal is top notch. The combination of smooth electronic tracks and female vocal presented here is hard to beat.

Acen - 75 Minutes

A pioneer of breakbeat. The rave sound that relies heavily on drums, which continued to develop into jungle/drum'n'bass.

T-99 - Children of Chaos

Formally known as Quadrophonia, the duo have pioneered the techno sounds from house music. They continued to rule with the track called "Anasthasia", which injected dark industrial sound into the techno sounds to produce the hardcore rave music that spawned the scene. Except for the vocal tracks, the entire album is awesome presentation of varying sounds, not just rave and is one of the most intriguing sound that came out of the rave music. As with most other rave albums here, the music happened in 89-91. Not the release date.

2 Unlimited - Get Ready

Heh... But you can't deny the exposure that this group brought onto the electronic music as a whole. Heavy rotation still at your local sports events and parades.

Orb - U.F.Orb

Moby - Moby

Moby made rave sound happen in the US, which was completely based on house sounds at the time.

Digital Orgasm - Do It

Another from the Oliver Adams' Antler Subway footprint.

Various Artists - Best of Rave [Westwood] 4CD

4 CD set that is packed with many highly regarded rave/breakbeat tracks. When I saw this at Sam Goody for $30 back in 93, I had to get it right away although I was just looking. Altern-8, Prodigy, 4 Heroes, Acen tracks not available in 75 minutes, Manix, SL2, Blame, Baby D, etc. This set is unique.

Underworld - Dubnobasswithmyheadman

Autechre - Amber

Finest sounds coming from Autechre. Autechre's newer releases are still great, but Amber just stands out. The sound is very warm and complex. Autechre's later releases are much more darker and beatier.

Orbital - Snivilization

Underrated one. This is a great progression from the 1992 album. The sound is much more complex, but under the complexity, it's still the same sound as Orbital 2. This one deserves repeated listening.

Portishead - Dummy

Portishead just sounds right. The beats are dark, and vocals are beautiful and suspenseful. They stick to their formula, and it's a good thing when it comes to this group.

Messiah - 21st Century Jesus

One of the greatest player in the rave music from Kickin' Records.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Chemical Brothers - Exit Plant Dust

Both genre defining and bending. Unlike Fatboy Slim who generally sticks to the big beat formula, Chemical Brothers goes all over the place.

The Prodigy - Music for the jilted generation

No one at the time of this release expected what came out. Thus, I don't think it got the recognition it deserved, but I think it is now regarded as a brilliant album. It is still very enjoyable thanks to its diverse sound.

DJ Food - Recipe for Disaster

Strictly Kev and Patric Carpenter (PC), along with Matt Black and Jonathon Moore the recipe is truly dangerous. Triphop has never been so complex, unique, and funky. This release proves triphop isn't just instrumental hiphop. This is the only official DJ Food album in the 1990's, followed by their brilliant Kaleidoscope in the year 2000, 10 years after the birth of Ninja Tunes.

Tricky - Maxinquaye

Along with Masssive Attack, considered one of the pioneer of trip hop sound.

4 Hero - Paralell Universe

Defining moment in Drum'n'bass. While jungle with amen breaks were the thing, this 1995 album changes the whole structure. The release shifts the focus from breaks to the rest of the music.

Nightmare on Wax - Smokers Delight

I don't think it's possible not to like this album. Downtemp funk with latin touch, that's news from the Warp camp.

Meat Beat Manifesto - Subliminal Sandwich

Often overlooked album. This is a great triphop album that can go toe to toe with the greats at Ninja Tunes or Mo'Wax.

Blech: The Nexus Phase - Mixed by Strictly & PC

Ninja Tunes & Warp come together on this one. Incredible mix of 23 tracks of varying genre such as Autechre, Jake Slazenger, Aphex Twins, DJ Food, LFO, Squarepusher, etc. Ambient, triphop, drum'n'bass, all sharply mixed by Strictly & PC.

DJ Vadim - U.S.S.R. Repertoire

One of the very best from Ninja Tunes at its height.

Atari Teenage Riot - The Future of War

Alec Empire - The Destroyer

Squarepusher - Feed Me Weird Things

Coldcut - Let us play

Superb tracks through and through. Every single tracks has the trademark Coldcut flaver; funky, complex, warm.

No U-Turn Records - Torque

Redefining drum'n'bass. There really was no u turn for drum'n'bass after this one. Sound is very harsh and dark, while still being much more complex than most drum'n'bass that's around today. Still highly enjoyable.

Photek - Risc vs Reward EP

Many were disappointed with the follow up full album, Modus Operandi, which is really a good album. This release is the reason why. Every track on this EP is extremely complex and sharp. Some of the best drum'n'bass sounds of all times.

DJ Krush - Preemptive Strike

Fluke - Risotto

Musically, it is only decent. But without Fluke, I doubt MTV could've done the AMP show which brought "electronica" into American homes. Their whole show was based on this video for a while. Fluke has influence of rock, that's just required to get any kind of audience in the US.

Aphrodite - Aphrodite Recordings

The definitive jump-up drum'n'bass album. The jump-up has lost it's appeal to more darker sounds, but Aphrodite is still keeping the unique sound alive. And it's good to be different in today's flat drum'n'bass playing field.

EZ Rollers - Weekend World

This album does just about everything right. There are many different textures presented, from hardstep to jazz, and all with special funk touch that only EZ Rollers have.

Ed Rush & Optical - Wormhole

The sound here is ahead of its time. This is the formula that is present in 90% of drum'n'bass of today.

4 Hero - Two Pages

One of the oldest players in the electronic music scene puts out one of the most fascinating album in recent memory. Perfect mix of soul, jazz, and drum'n'bass.

Breakbeat Era - Breakbeat Era

Bad Company - (all singles in 1999)

For good or for worse, selection put out by Bad Company in the year 1999 exceeded all similar efforts by other groups. Now the sound is overdone, and hopefully we'll be moving to other directions.

Various Artist - Metro Level 01

First compilation from the Matrix's label is a incredible ride. Containing the likes of Bad Company, Optical, Outfit, and Matrix. The sound presented the best in the drum'n'bass of the time and into today.