On the simply amazing Strictly Underground label, Marc 'Ruff' Ryder produced some wicked tunes under the alias Hackney Hardcore. All the tracks had a down-tuned sound to them giving them a much less euphoric vibe, but still no less 'ravey' for it.
The result was a far more 'serious' sounding rave track with a lot more grit and street cred. I always think that they sound like what rave tunes sound like in the rain. Bit hard to explain.... its probably easier if you just take a listen!
Dancehall Dangerous - '91 breakbeat number here. Queasy-sounding synths over a sizzling bass. Very much a grimy squat sound on this one.
Caught With a Spliff (remix) - this is such a well-produced track, especially for 1992. Theres quite a few mixes knocking about, but this is my favourite one and the one that seems to get played the most. The synths go so well with the whip-snap-crack percussion - you could definitely see the direction hardcore was going, heading towards a more jungle broken up beat. Absolutely love this one. Its a shame the youtube video doesn't continue to the end as there is a little dialogue between the police and a ragamuffin. It has some bleeped out swearing at the end on a locked groove - so it will go on forever... 'bleeping hell mate! bleeping hell! bleeping hell mate! bleeping hell' ... ad infititum
Rave Scene '93 - You can see from this how the scene is progressing - the music is getting faster and taking on a much more jungley vibe. This is a really lush, darkly euphoric track. The cheeky prodigy sample is a great touch.
The result was a far more 'serious' sounding rave track with a lot more grit and street cred. I always think that they sound like what rave tunes sound like in the rain. Bit hard to explain.... its probably easier if you just take a listen!
Dancehall Dangerous - '91 breakbeat number here. Queasy-sounding synths over a sizzling bass. Very much a grimy squat sound on this one.
Caught With a Spliff (remix) - this is such a well-produced track, especially for 1992. Theres quite a few mixes knocking about, but this is my favourite one and the one that seems to get played the most. The synths go so well with the whip-snap-crack percussion - you could definitely see the direction hardcore was going, heading towards a more jungle broken up beat. Absolutely love this one. Its a shame the youtube video doesn't continue to the end as there is a little dialogue between the police and a ragamuffin. It has some bleeped out swearing at the end on a locked groove - so it will go on forever... 'bleeping hell mate! bleeping hell! bleeping hell mate! bleeping hell' ... ad infititum
Buy them here: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Hackney+Hardcore
These tracks also feature on some of the Illegal Rave and Strictly Underground compilations and if you are lucky to come across a copy, buy on sight! http://www.discogs.com/artist/Hackney+Hardcore#t=Appearances_Compilations&q=&p=1
