Introduction:
In 1998, trance music was riding the crest of a wave. This phenomenal sound filled clubs every weekend throughout the UK and Ireland, therefore it was only natural for one of the heavyweight clubs to take the next step. That step was to promote a dance-only festival, one that could match the glamour and appeal of Glastonbury or T in the Park. The club in the strongest position to do just that were Cream, a brand that commenced with humble beginnings in the mid-nineties, being promoted by two friends Darren Hughes and James Barton. The reason they were in this position was due to the success heralded by the brand’s most famous son, Paul Oakenfold.
Paul Oakenfold will be remembered for many achievements thoughout his career, but for many their personal highlight will be the two years Oakenfold spent as resident of Cream. In the second year of that residency, the main room at Nation in Liverpool (the venue for Cream’s weekly club nights) was transformed to tailor the demand for Oakenfold, and this room was christened “The Courtyard”. So, rather appropriately for Creamfields, the main stage was also named The Courtyard, and was headlined by it’s resident.
The Mix:
Within the first five seconds of listening to this mix, my hands were in the air, because Paul opened his set with a track that still remains one of my favourite tracks of all time, the debut track of Larne duo Agnelli & Nelson, El Nino. Outside of Stardust’s Music Sounds Better With You, this track created the largest buzz in the dance music industry in 1998, and when listening to it again, it is not difficult to see why.
So with the crowd rapturous just after one track, it was time for Paul to work his magic and take the masses on a journey in a way only he is capable of. After a good solid track in More – All I Need, Paul drops yet another monster track, the massive Paul Van Dyk remix of Binary Finary -1998. I firmly believe that this version of the track was born to be played especially on huge festival soundsystems, and will be remembered as one of PvD’s finest production moments that escalated him further in the international scene. When the breakdown of this track kicks in, the crowd goes absolutely ballistic!
Up next in the mix was another debut track, this time however by a little known Dutchman called Armin Van Buuren. Blue Fear was the track that changed Armin’s life forever, composed with such beautiful emotion and melody. While the original has a little mellow feel, Paul opts to utilise the tougher and more euphoric Trouser Enthusiasts’ remix, and works very well within the context of this set.
After the emotion of Blue Fear, the next track for me generated an unrivalled feeling of ecstasy. The collaboration between Westbam and Red Jerry had originally surfaced in 1996, a good track in its own right but lacked the key ingredients to make it a classic. So, up stepped yet another unknown producer at the time, Matt Darey, and what he produced was something I believe remains his finest work yet. You can hear the emotion of the crowd during the breakdown of this track, and when listening back it is something that could bring a tear to the eye.
Following that, Oakey decided to air one of the finest tracks ever released on his own Perfecto label, Transa – Enervate. For me it is a really fine track, fit to grace any set. This marks the midpoint of Oakenfold’s set, and he keeps the Perfecto flavour going with a double offering of Perfecto artist Man With No Name.
After a play of Vavoom, Paul opts for Man With No Name’s remix of the classic Three Drives – Greece 2000, an excellent remix which for me didn’t receive the recognition that it deserved. As the set moves on towards it’s climax Oakey decides to go a little harder, with tracks by The Shrink and Brown Acid. To close out, we hear a track that was a staple in almost all of Oakenfold’s sets for the entire calendar year of 1998, one of those tracks that when you hear it, it brings back memories of his tenure as Cream resident, Mystica – Ever Rest. It is a track full of bounce and energy, and is very fitting to end a 75 minute period of euphoria.
Final Thoughts:
At the inception of Creamfields, it was crucial within the music industry for it to be a success, and it certainly didn’t disappoint as 40,000 clubbers came in their flocks to Matterley Estate. The majority of those 40,000 came with one purpose however, to worship their musical messiah, Paul Oakenfold.
This set for me remains very close to my heart. Despite the mixing not being flawless (usually the case in a live Oakenfold set), the atmosphere created by the journey he conceives is nothing short of breathtaking. There are so many tracks (El Nino, 1998, Blue Fear, Wizards of the Sonic, Enervate) that are among my favourite tracks of all time, so it’s easy to see why the set appeals to me so much. Add to that the participation of the crowd that was captured during the recording, and you have a beautiful moment in the history of dance music.
Paul left the Cream brand as resident in December 1998, and went on to establish a prominent worldwide brand in Home, with clubs in London (briefly) and Sydney, as well as a weekly residency at Space in Ibiza. Since his move to Los Angeles his desire for achievements in the music industry have changed focus, with his own productions and film scores being his big appeal nowadays. However, this set is a perfect example of Oakenfold at his peak, when he was playing at clubs on a weekly basis, and why he was the most in demand DJ at that time.
Anyone who only got into trance music post-2000 should really give this a listen, to understand why Paul Oakenfold remains for many, including myself, as the greatest DJ that has ever lived.
Tracklist:
01. Agnelli & Nelson - El Nino
02. More - All I Need (MAS Mix)
03. Binary Finary - 1998 (Paul Van Dyk Remix)
04. Armin - Blue Fear (Trouser Enthusiasts E.B.E. Remix)
05. Westbam vs. Red Jerry - Wizards of the Sonic (Matt Darey Remix)
06. Transa - Enervate
07. Man With No Name – Vavoom!!
08. Three Drives on a Vinyl - Greece 2000 (Man With No Name Remix)
09. Shrink - Nervous Breakdown
10. Brown Acid - Inlnlown
11. Mystica - Ever Rest (Mystica Mix)
Useful Links:
www.pauloakenfold.com
www.cream.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/dance/essentialmix
Reviewed By : ImpactPlayaz
