The Art of Acid

Justin Robertson

Harmless

2008-07-28

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The 20th anniversary of acid house this year has brought special club night celebrations, acid-themed tents at festivals and many hazy memories of the Hacienda from those old enough to try to remember them. The baggy fashion may be a long way from returning to popular rave culture, but everyone seem to be keen to get back into the acid vibe in 2008. To mark the occasion, one of the few continuing purveyors of acid house, Justin Robertson, has stepped up the decks to provide a mix that delves into the past to pay homage to all those that influenced and inspired him in his formative years on the dance-floor of the Hacienda during the nascent days of the scene.

With the acid style blending genres as diverse as Detroit techno, New York disco, Chicago house, European electro-pop and lacing it with 303 and 909s, Robertson has done his utmost to ensure all the influences get a look in at some point. Kicking off with the Miami bass inspired “Security” from Beat Club, he keeps it upbeat and vocal before dropping the killer classic “Acid Trax” by Phuture. It marks the start of the 303 and 909 overdrive with Fast Eddie’s Chicago tune “Acid Thunder” and Rhythim Is Rhythim’s “The Dance”.

The Art of Acid is an acid lover’s wet dream

The second half of the 21-track mix starts with stabbing piano and bass grooves from Derrick May’s remix of Neil Howard’s “It’s Now Or Never” and includes the track voted number one out of all those played at the Hacienda: Unique 3’s “The Theme”. Robertson then keeps the varied styles coming with offerings from R Tyme, Frankie Knuckles and Virgo, finishing with Mr Fingers epic “Can You Feel It”. If there is a nirvana for acid music, this would be the soundtrack.

Accompanying The Art Of Acid is a set of bonus edits of classic acid house tracks updated by dance music producers old and new — and an impressive selection at that. Electro hero Boys Noize, breakbeat favourites the Plump DJs and the more chart-friendly Basement Jaxx line up alongside French techno maestro Laurent Garnier and Justin Robertson himself for the remix duties, all keeping the acid sound while adding their own subtle touches. While they don’t give much fresh ground to the genre’s classics such as Maurice Joshua’s “This Is Acid” and “Acid Trax” for a new generation, die-hard followers will be pleased with the results.

The Art of Acid is an acid lover’s wet dream, showing just how versatile this rave style once was, but there is limited appeal as many will probably complain of a limited palette of 303 and 909 sounds to go with the varied influences: it’s a case of you had to be there or at least have immersed yourself in the music to gain the affection of rave times gone by needed to fully appreciate the mix. For those who can, it’s perfection.