The Essential Mix is a weekly radio show on BBC Radio 1 currently broadcast between 0:00 - 2:00 AM UK time on Saturday morning. Originally broadcast on 30 October 1993, the Essential Mix features contemporary DJs and music producers of electronic dance music. The show has been presented since its inception by Pete Tong and features an uninterrupted two-hour mix from a different artist each week, overlaid with occasional continuity announcements delivered by Tong. With a broadcast run in excess of 25 years, the Essential Mix is one of the longest-running programmes in the current BBC Radio 1 schedule, and is one of very few Radio 1 shows which is not broadcast live.

BBC Radio 1

Essential Mix 2009-05-23 - Laurent Garnier

Recording from set by Laurent Garnier in Club 11, Amsterdam. The Club 11 building was torn down in 2008.

Laurent Garnier - Live at Club 11,  Amsterdam 2008 CD 1

My tribute to an amazing Legends' Party @ Rex Club

Enjoy !!!

After 30 years of Legends @ Rex Club (Paris) 2025 January 19th

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, 11.17.18 am

TranSforM

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Big shout out to the BICEP lads for giving us a recommendation on Twitter. We've been holding out for a great one for the 200th episode and this one's a winner. What's more, it's part of a fairly epic series of CDs from Sven Vath which we highly recommend you check out. Thanks to everyone for all the follows, likes, comments and support.

Last but not least, a special shout out to MOJAXX at DJ City for helping us track down the disc. If you haven't already seen his online videos, or one of his sets, be sure to check the big man out!

Buy on Discogs

200 - BICEP recommends 'Sven Väth - In The Mix - The Sound Of The Fourth Season' - Disc 1 (2004)

Here's a Dj-Mix i did a few weeks back that i forgot to share, featuring tracks from Gary Beck, Secluded, Robert Hood, Sacramental, Xeno, Avision, Ritzi Lee, Sev Dah, Jeroen Search, Planatery Assault Systems, Dax J & Silent Servant. Hope you all like it. :D

8/16 Club Mix

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Techno > Funk

282 - Cajmere - Techno > Funk (2000)

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Sven Väth

378 - Sven Vath In The Mix  - The Sound Of The Second Season - Disc 1 (2001)

Detroit classics set recorded live and direct at Mixmag's 'Mixmag Live' event.

Carl Craig - Live @ Mixmag Live - 19-10-2012

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Shout out to the man like Birgir in Iceland for the share on this one!

Race Data ETA

651 - Billy Nasty - Race Data ETA - Lap 2 (1997)

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