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Writer's pictureMartin van Zeelandt / TCD

Ramos & Protocol - Back 2 The Old Skool 1995-1996 Hardcore (2022)


It's Tuesday. Hardcore Tuesday. Or more like early 90s UK/Happy Hardcore. And if you haven't seen this mix yet, it's a big one. If you are a true UK Hardcore fanatic from day one, you must know these two DJs: Ramos and Protocol. They uploaded a brand spanking new mix, focussed on the mid 90s Hardcore sound, which was big in the UK. And all those old school fanatics might be loosing their shit after they hear about this mix: they all want to jump on it, and hear those glorious tunes again, coming at them through their speakers. Well, today's your lucky day!

Back in the 90s I listened to a lot of Happy Hardcore and a lot of continental Hardcore (a.k.a. Dutch Gabber/Hardcore House). The UK side of Hardcore mostly flew passed me, and even though a few of the UK hits appeared on Dutch compilations, the majority just never appeared on anything I bought. So for me the 90s and UK Hardcore is always a new thing to discover. And after checking the tracklist, most of these tracks are 'known' to me, but also a handful of these tracks remain a complete mystery. Today's the day I will go back in time, to 1995-1996, and let the music complete take over my life.


One thing I have to give the people in the UK credit for: their parties looked ace! A bit more obscure and underground, compared to the Netherlands. And their cassettes always sounded more cooler. Why? Is it the whistle crew? The screaming fans? It was everything! And of course the music. I was more into European Hardcore, but me being at a sensible age now, I can appreciate the UK side of Hardcore more and more.


So what do Ramos and Protocol have in store for us? Which tracks did they use for this hour and a half long mix? You Happy Hardcore fanatics might loose their shit when they see the tracklist. Go on, scroll down a tiny bit, and have a look at this beast:


  1. Midas - Take It From The Groove

  2. Hixxy & Bananaman - Yes Yes, Er Yes

  3. Cheddar - Cheddar 3 Side A

  4. Midas - Waiting For Gold

  5. Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime - Who Will Be The Leader

  6. Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime - Life Force Generator (RSR Mix)

  7. DJ Unknown & Vinylgroover - Ice Cold

  8. The Timespan - Shout Now (Hixxy & Sharkey Remix)

  9. Hixxy - Wanting To Get High

  10. Supreme & UFO - Fantasy Land

  11. The DJ Unknown Project - Paradise

  12. Ramos, Supreme & Sunset Regime - In The Place To Be

  13. Midas & Sunset Regime - Break On Through (Unreleased Mix)

  14. Bang The Future - Don't Try & Hide

  15. Ballistic - Operator

  16. Bang The Future - Better Day (Happy Mix)

  17. Seb - Rainbow Island (Sharkey's Bonkers Mix)

  18. Supreme, Billy Bunter & D-Zyne - Outside World

  19. GBT. Inc - Burn Muther Fucker

  20. Vinylgroover - Vinyl Explosion (DJ Unknown Remix)

  21. Supreme & UFO - Forever Autumn


If you love your Happy Hardcore, this must certainly give you goosebumps! A trip down memory lane. And obviously they had to play a few of the biggest tunes ever released, like the ones by Bang The Future, Seb, Vinylgroover, Midas, and more. A very good looking tracklist.


To be fair, I've been listening to this over and over since 7am.And I'm really feeling the Happy Hardcore vibes coming through my speakers. It is giving me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I'm really loving the anthems. They have started the mix with a fucking solid song by Midas, and ended with such a sing-a-long song. My God, this brings back memories of when Happy Hardcore was the only thing people listened to.


Yes, a fantastic selection of mid-90s songs. Good selection boys, good selection. That's for sure. And if you are into this kind of Hardcore, you will feel nostalgic within seconds. But which record gave me the most goosebumps? Well, it's 'Vinyl Explosion', remixed by DJ Unknown. Big anthem. Not a lot is happening, but it just captures the Happy Hardcore sound extremely well.


Got only love to give. Big mix, very big mix. No more talking, more listening should be the thing we are all doing. Press play, and let's all BE HAPPY!



DJs: Ramos & Protocol

Genre/Style: Happy Hardcore, UK Hardcore

Mix Info: Ramos & Protocol - Back 2 The Old Skool 1995-1996 Hardcore

Length Mix: 01:30:54

Tracks: 21 (twenty-one)

Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): CLICK HERE

File Size: 208 MB

File Type: mp3

Release Year: 2022

Audio: Stereo

Bit Rate: 320kbps



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