Today's Memory Tape is a story of reminiscing – aren’t they all? – about partying, sharing music with friends and the joys of 1994. Here’s Helen from Hebden bridge in her own words:
“The recent warehouse rave people's playlist prompted me to search for a tape which was very special to me. It took a few sessions rummaging through the boxes piled up at the back of the garage but I found it. I thought it had Misjah & Tim's “Access” on it, but it doesn't. Neither does it have Smoke Belch, which is tantalisingly crossed off the listing at the end of side 2.
This tape is from 1994 when I was at university in Birmingham. It was made for me by two friends Az and Tim. I should say at this point that to them and all my mates from this time I was, and still am, known as Daisy not Helen. I was given this nickname in my first term at university and it stuck.
1994 was the year I discovered the joy of raving, specifically going out dancing at the Que Club, formerly the Central Methodist Hall in Birmingham city centre. The gothic building seemed perfectly suited to the techno / trance all-nighters we went to, like House of God, Third Eye and later Ultimate Orange, when hundreds of people would be dancing on podiums, balconies, steps and tiers going all the way up to the original organ at the back of the room. I don't think I've been anywhere since that had an atmosphere like that place, it was really special.
I was 20, and whilst I think I had pretty good music taste, it was predominantly indie and this tape was quite a departure from the other types of music I had bought and learned about through the NME and Snub TV. I think back then you were much more reliant on friends' tapes to introduce you to new music, well, that and John Peel anyway. So I asked these two lovely lads who I went out dancing with to do me a personal 'best of' tape. Tim's side included some things I'd never come across before, such as Parliament and Gill Scott Heron... and some obligatory French rap. It also includes De La Soul who I've always loved.
The other side, made by Az, was the sort of stuff we were going out and dancing to. I remember putting this side on when I was getting ready to go out, and always wishing it was longer. For example, Mandala’s Astralia (Noom 10) is completely acid-bonkers and I still find it impossible to not move when I hear it. I fear some, like my husband, will laugh at it – some of it is cheesy and Happy Hardcore but I don't care! At the time though, without tapes like this made by friends, you would only hear this kind of music in the club. There was no Soundcloud / YouTube / Boiler Room to refresh your memory.
I feel so affectionately about this tape because it represents me getting my musical and personal confidence. My boyfriend at the time, from school days, couldn't understand the appeal of going out dancing and I think saw it as a betrayal of my indie roots…although he did give it a go once but we went our separate ways in the end.
RAVE TAPES
Timmy's Side (A)
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band - Express Yourself
Curtis Mayfield - Pusher Man
Sly & The Family Stone - Family Affair
Parliament - All Your Goodies are Gone
Gill Scott Heron - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
I am - RXN - Sachet Blanc
De La Soul & Teenage Fanclub - You Played Yourself [but is actually called Fallin’]
Backside (B)
Cosmic Baby - A tribute to Bladerunner (Dance title - Part 1) (I think)
Mandala - Astralia (Noom 10)
Age of Love - Age of Love
UVX - Shape of Life
Ver Vlads - Crazy Ivan
Sabres of Paradise Smoke Belch II (Beatless Mix) - crossed off!
