Techno

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Derrick May & Carl Cox - The Revolution Continues.. Space, Ibiza - 07-08-07

A. Kat Race
B. Alarms Cyclone

Overview
Jeff Mills’ “The Bells” is one of the most iconic tracks in techno history, often called the genre’s anthem. Known for its hypnotic bell melody, driving kick, and euphoric build, it became a staple in DJ sets worldwide. The track was first played live by Mills in 1995 (e.g., at Liquid Room in Tokyo), but it wasn’t officially released until 1997 as part of the Kat Moda EP on his Purpose Maker label. This EP is the original record pressing you’re asking about—no standalone “The Bells” single exists from that era. It has since been repressed multiple times due to massive demand (over 500,000 copies sold across versions).


Original Pressing Details
* Release Year: 1997 (though the track dates to 1995 performances and test pressings)
* Format: 12” vinyl EP, 33 ⅓ RPM
* Label: Purpose Maker
* Catalog Number: PM-002
* Country: US
* Pressing Notes: First pressing on standard black vinyl. Matrix runouts indicate a repress or variant: A side - PM 002-A (RE I) NSC; B side - PM 002-B (RE I) NSC (etched, with NSC circled). The mastering has been criticized as “shit” by some collectors for its raw, unpolished sound—typical of ’90s techno but quieter than modern represses, often requiring gain boosts in DJ sets. Sold out quickly at shops like Cisco in Tokyo upon release.

Tracklist
Side	Track	Duration
A1	The Bells	4:46
A2	Kat Race	4:22
B1	Alarms (aka “Masterplan” in later compilations)	5:32
B2	Cyclone	4:48


* 	•	Production Credits: Written, produced, and edited by Jeff Mills. Published by Millsart/BMG-Ariola.
* Why Buried on an EP? Mills reportedly avoided hype-sticker promotion to let the track’s organic popularity (from crowd reactions) drive sales. Purpose Maker was for floor-focused material, contrasting his experimental Axis label.

How to Identify an Original Pressing
* Visual Cues: Gold-on-black label design. No “10th Anniversary” or remix mentions. Check for wear from heavy club play—originals often show it.
* Sound Cues: Raw, dynamic mix with prominent kick and bells; lower loudness (not -5 LUFS like some digital remasters). Test pressings exist but are rare and unnumbered.
* Value (as of Oct 2025): $20–$50 USD for VG+ condition on Discogs/Reverb; mint originals can hit $100+ due to collector demand. Recent sales: Median $30–$40.

Later Versions and Represses
The track exploded in popularity, leading to reissues. Key ones:
* 1999 Repress: Same EP format (PM-002), minor matrix tweaks. Often mistaken for original.
* 2006 (10th Anniversary): Standalone 12” on Purpose Maker (PM-020). Includes reworked B-sides (“Gift of the Hills,” “Circus”). Louder mastering; promo versions exist. ~$15–$30.
* 2006 DVD Edition: Axis (AXDV-002). Enhanced with visuals from 1997–98 footage; limited audio/video hybrid.
* 2019 Remaster: On Sight, Sound & Space compilation (Axis). Cleaner, higher fidelity; first vinyl appearance of orchestral “Blue Potential” version.
* 2025 Remaster: Digital-only (e.g., SoundCloud edits); no new vinyl confirmed.

If you’re hunting for an original, check Discogs for verified sellers—avoid fakes by matching matrix numbers. For audio, stream the 1997 version on Beatport or Spotify. Got a specific copy or need value check? Share details! 🔔

Recording 14-10-25, 11.19.58 am

"Discomovement" I released in 1998 on Kamtschatka Records.  
I ran the label together with my brother, and we always split one side each.  
I somehow found the track too simple, which is why it was released as a B-track.  
Shortly after the first days of sales, Maximilian Lenz (Westbam) got in touch, and so "Discomovement" was included on the Loveparade Compilation 1998. This made the track very well-known at the time, more famous than I ever thought it would be. That’s why I created a remaster and uploaded it here as the first track of the new Classic Series. I’m looking forward to your feedback.

Discomovement

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Dave Angel - Live @ Primary, Chicago (2015-09-18)

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Carl Cox

Buy on Discogs

337 - Carl Cox - Global - Disc 1 (2002)

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347 - Techno Division Vol. 3 mixed by Carl Cox - Disc 1 (2003)

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Jeff Mills

383 - Jeff Mills - Choice 'A Collection of Classics - Disc 1 (2004)

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Satoshi Tomiie & Hector Romero

393 - Satoshi Tomiie & Hector Romero ‎– Undulation 1 (2003)

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477 - Carl Cox - Live at Crobar Nightclub, Chicago (2000)

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512 - Mixed Live 'Carl Cox 2nd Session' - Area2 Detroit (2002)

Essential Mix 1998-10-18 - Carl Cox, Live at Zouk Club, Singapore

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Adam Beyer

570 - Adam Beyer - Essential Underground Vol.09 - Disc 1 (2004)

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574 - Stockholm Mix Sessions - Adam Beyer (2002)

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Luke Slater

578 - Luke Slater - Fear And Loathing - Disc 2 (2001)

This is Factory for my Birthday today on October 16, 2020.  As I began to record this mix, I thought about 8 years ago and 4 years ago on this day.  So much has happened and you hit some goals only to get set back by things like a global pandemic.  2 years ago I just wanted to forget 2018 & 2019 all together and 2020 did start off with so much promise.

If the world is suffering, the music is not.  The music is all I got left in me.  But it was always like this.  There is tons of life left in the music and the sound.  I like to capture moments that nobody else would even think of.  Like breaks & techno - I take risks.   The floodgates are open today.  My Soundcloud is packed with mixes, download them all for FREE.........

FACTORY / BIRTHDAY SPECIAL / OCT. 16, 2020 / FRANKIE BONES

JoshWink-1-6-11-Sirius XM Radio-Show-Womb-Tokyo-Part 2 of 4

Live @ Womb (Tokyo) Part2 - Profound Sounds 01.06.11

Hey, Gareth here, I'm a graphic designer who start designing for clubs, parties, and labels in the late 90s. Back then, mix CDs were the holy grail of both design and music. I loved them.

But I wasn't the only one, mix cds were the soundtracks of our nights, our days, our afterparties and lives, for everyone. Yet in today's internet age, the art form has been lost (or just changed) to 2-3 hour online mixes and streaming videos, which just don't create the same magic your CD collection did. Just 60 minutes of music and incredible artwork.

The Classic Mix CD Series celebrates these discs, their soundtrack, their box art and your memories. We hope you enjoy it.

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Also, we try to help you find and buy them again by sharing Discogs links on all featured CDs and or direct links to labels where possible.

* We fully support labels and artists. If any disc creates a copyrighting issue let me know and it will be immediately removed. 

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About Gareth:
Digital creative type, gamer, music lover and occasional DJ. Currently living between Dubai & Seoul after setting sail from Sunderland in 2010. As a young designer, club and music culture was the driving force for his work, producing artwork for local club nights and record labels in the North East of England. In particular, DJ mix cds and their packaging were always his 'holy grail of design', especially those from Renaissance, Global Underground and Good Looking Records. It's a pleasure to share these discs back with people and they still influence our tastes to this day. 

For any CD recommendations, bookings, mixes or feedback you can catch me as @asapgareth on Instagram. Or you can check our my design work at www.acid.works

570 - Adam Beyer - Essential Underground Vol.09 - Disc 1 (2004)

The Classic Mix CD Series

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