Chin strokey high brow instrumental hip hop might be making a comeback of late but it is by no means a new phenomenon. The Mo Wax flag ship dj’s came hard with an ultra trendy (for 1996) Essential Mix that completely altered my perception of DJing at the time! As Dj skills progressively got better these mixes began to sound dated but now Dj’s are progressively getting worse again this mix is actually sounding fresh!
If anyone can answer the question of “what really happened to Mo Wax and why it went from an ultra trendy label with an amazing out put to such an epic failure in such a short space of time?” I would be glad to hear it!
Not a usual Meanubucket style post but I very much came from this era of music and it was mixes like this that got me into “Hip hop” style Djing back in the day when I was only mixing house. One of the most impressive essential mixes of all time… if you don’t believe me check the tracklist below!
Psychonauts – Essential Mix 1996
Trans AM – “Firepoker” (City Slang)
11.59 – “TG” (Ticking Time)
Cheif XL – “Last Stop” (Mo’ Wax)
Marxman – “Sad Affair” (Talkin’ Loud)
Peanut Butter Wolf – “Lunar Props” (2 Kool)
Abyss – “Shadow” (Sec)
Nine – “Promo” (white label)
Beastie Boys – “Bohisattua Vow [instrumental]” (Mo’ Wax)
Major Force – “Last Orgy” (Major Force)
Stereo MCs – “What Is Soul [instrumental]” (4th & Broadway)
DJ Shadow – “Mutual Slump” (Mo] Wax)
Ultramagnetic MCs – “Chorus Line [instrumental]” (Next Plat)
Needle Thrashers – “Ill, You + Me = Naughty” (promo)
Wild Bunch – “The Look Of Love” (4th & Broadway)
Major Force – “Zenguin In Action” (Major Force)
DJ Krush – “KRB” (Mo’ Wax)
Indho – “Love Will Be On Your Side [Photek Mix]” (Mercury Music)
Rebel Crew – “Serpent” (promo)
DJ Krush – “Only The Strong Will Survive [Attica Blues Mix]” (Mo’ Wax)
The Root – “Clones” (Geffen)
Stereo MCs – “Devils Claw” (4th & Broadway)
Pressure Drop – “Back 2 Back” (C & P Big World)
Beatnuts – “Are You Ready [instrumental]” (bootleg)
Fed – “Cut Ridge” (Randall)
Major Force – “untitled” (Major Force)
Sven Can Hees – “Freak Ysthan” (Royal)
Love Corporation – “Cathedralls Of Glitter” (P & C Creation)
Nuphonic – “untitled” (white label)
Coldcut – “Beats & Pieces” (Big Life)
Howie B – “Undercover” (Polydor)
Massive Attack – “Sly (String Section)” (4th & Broadway)
DJ Cam – “promo” (Sony)
Automator – “Sleep” (Unbiquity Music)
Lewis Parker – “Rise” (Bite It)
Co-Flow – “promo” (white label)
DJ Shadow – “DJ Shadow Theme (solesides)” (Mo’ Wax)
DJ Shadow – “Midnight” (Mo’ Wax)
DJ Shadow – “Hardcore Inst. Hip Hop” (Mo’ Wax)
DR Octagon – “Bear Witness” (Mo’ Wax)
DJ Krush – “Meiso” (Mo’ Wax)
DJ Shadow – “Lost + Found” (Mo’ Wax)
Blackalicious – “Swan Lake Instrumental” (Mo’ Wax)
DJ Krush – “Duality” (Mo’ Wax)
Real Deal – “Headless Horseman” (Botchit & Scraper)
Massive Attack – “Daydreaming Inst.” (4th & Broadway)
Smith & Mighty & Kelus & Lynx – “Clash Of The Beasts” (3111)
Juc Force – “Strong Island” (Boy Boy)
Gangstarr – “untitled” (Chrysalis)
Jazz Grooves – “Huh” (B Balls)
EPMD – “So Whatcha Sayin” (Sleepin Bag)
Major Force – “Guess What” (Major Force)
Wost Wanted – “Calm Down” (Sutra)
Lamb – “Gorecki” (Fontana)
The Amalgamation – “Eric” (Filter)
Renegade Soundwave – “Phantom” (Mute)
Nicolette – “Waking Up” (Shup Up & Dance)
Local Zero – “Airbag” (Filter)
DJ Shadow – “The Numbers Song” (Mo’ Wax)
Beastie Boys – “Flute Loop Inst.” (Mo’ Wax)
Bjork – “I Miss You (Dobie Rub Pt 1)” (One Little Indian)
Gutter Snirfs – “Trial Of Life Inst.” (Libaty Grooves)
Unkle – “Berry Meditation” (Mo’ Wax)
Air – “Casanova 70” (Source Lab)
Brand Nubain – “Love Me Or Leave Me Alone” (Elektra)
Automator – “A Better Tommorrow” (Ubiquity)
Dust Brothers – “Save Me” (promo)
Roni Size – “Down” (Talking Loud)
DJ Die – “Stone Love” (promo)
Oasis – “Wonderwall” (Creation)
Major Force – “Return Of The Original Artform” (Major Force)
DJ Mink – “Hey Can You Relate” (WARP)
Stetsasonic – “Hip Hop Band” (Tommy Boy)
Tru Funk – “Early Beat” (3 Stripe Music)
Carlton – “Do You Dream” (ffrr)
