Music for the Radical Xenomaniac
Hedonistic Highlights from The Lowlands 1990 – 1999
Through 35 hedonistic highlights stretched across three volumes, Music For The Radical Xenomaniac delivers the first ever deep dive into The Netherlands’ colourful house sound of the 90s and the under-celebrated producers and record labels whose music soundtracked a countrywide cultural movement.
Plenty of books and documentaries have celebrated the riotous raves, legendary clubs, high profile DJs and promoters who shaped The Netherlands’ hedonistic house scene throughout the 90s. Music For The Radical Xenomaniac dares to challenge these narratives by shining a light, for the first time, on those who created the scene’s kaleidoscopic, game-changing and globally influential soundtrack.
Leading the charge were a disparate group of key creators who not only forged links with their counterparts in Detroit, Chicago, New York, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom, but also became celebrated figures on the worldwide electronic underground (Eric Nouhan, Aad De Mooy, Orlando Voorn, Jochem Paap, Stefan Robbers and Steve Rachmad). Alongside key underground imprints (Stealth Records, Basic Energy, ESP, Prime and Outland Records included) and lesser-known producers, these pioneers gave flavour to a radical musical movement via open-mindedness, unheard-of creativity and a genuinely futuristic ethos. All of these artists and labels are represented throughout the series.
So, what defined this hedonistic house sound from The Netherlands? Stylistically, it was varied – as the series so emphatically proves – but was defined by a set of distinctive sonic characteristics: emotive musical motifs, high-frequency synth sounds, mellow basslines, pulsating rhythms and more than a touch of hallucinatory intent.
Volume 1 boasts a wealth of notable tracks and slept-on gems. There’s ‘No Strings Attached (Freedom of the Soul Work)’ by Marionette, a magical spell of percussion-rich fairy-tale house from 1991 courtesy of R.o.X.Y Amsterdam resident DJ Dimitri and mellow pioneer Eric Nouhan, and the sole single by Eindhoven techno producer MAX404 as Faceless Techno Bastards, the rushing excellence of ‘Go Mellow’.
Other highlights include Rachmad Project’s ‘Summer Breeze’, a chirpy house masterpiece from foundational producer Steve Rachmad that first appeared on Outland Records offshoot Spiritual Records, a genuine oddball obscurity from John Krengiëlczak as Land of Fantasy, Tales And Myths (‘And They Lived Happily Ever After’), and a seriously sought-after cut from Rotterdam duo Space Trax, 1992’s ‘Aura’.
Packed full of forward-thinking 90s gems remastered for today’s dance floors by Alden Tyrell, Music For The Radical Xenomaniac Volume 1 is a life-affirming celebration of a distinctly Dutch musical movement, whose rich textures and melodies are still inspiring new generations of DJs and dancers today.
credits
released October 16, 2023
Compiled by Christiaan Macdonald & Cinema Royale
Artwork by Machine
Remastered by Alden Tyrell
Distribution by Rush Hour Distribution
Amazing! is run by long-serving Dutch scene stalwarts Christiaan Macdonald and Arne Visser. Macdonald co-founded Rush Hour
and Safe Trip, and also co-curated the acclaimed Welcome To Paradise and Planet Love compilations. Visser is known as selector and radio host Cinema Royale, and for his Dekmantel-released Italodisco compilation, Profondo Nero....more
supported by 10 fans who also own “Music For The Radical Xenomaniac Vol. 1”
A compilation to drink wine to in the shower, to look forward to a truly meaningful date, to prepare for an evening at the lake with friends. Soundtrack for good times. xhi
supported by 8 fans who also own “Music For The Radical Xenomaniac Vol. 1”
It feels like as I imagine my last conscious moments in this body, and in this life. The whole album is pure beauty, I really appreciate it thank you 🖤 > shady buziness
'90's dance & breakbeat jungle, all flipped, crossfaded and blended in unusual ways; utilizes field recordings sourced directly from raves. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 13, 2017
supported by 7 fans who also own “Music For The Radical Xenomaniac Vol. 1”
This is such a fun album and immaculate pressing (sirio ultra black). Also nuts to see his professional dexterity from composer of this to lawyer to upper role at Netflix. True savant, happy to have found this. G Norton