Another early one, but with added breakbeats, we're pretty sure this among a handful of others was a catalyst for the looming jungle tekno movement. A whopper!
13. N-Joi - Adrenalin
Possibly not everybody's choice for this list, but as we don't have a straight up techno list and this is clearly full of Belgian overtones, we think it sits well here. And an amazing tune too. This might be seen as a UK counterpoint to Belgian techno, depending on what side of the fence you sit on.
14. Bizarre Inc - Playing With Knives (Quadrant Mix)
Another one people may dispute on account of it being British, but this was another pivotal track in the whole light/dark - soft/heavy song structure that the Belgians capitalised on fully during the early part of the year.
The simple and ancient structure of verse/chorus interpreted digitally kind of sounds like this, but we think most people will agree with us when we say it was probably never done before, or never will be done again with such incredible impact. There is a reason this record is revered so highly. It turned the scene on its head and opened doors most of us never even knew were there.
See below for more info.
15. Cubic 22 - Night In Motion
There is a great video on YT that features Danny Van Wauwe, one half of Cubic 22, and he states in it that the main inspiration/influence for this track cam e from Bizarre Inc (above). They saw a power and longevity in the format of dark/heavy sections followed by light/uplifting sections and capitalised on that structure for this tune.
If you then look at the format that developed across the breakbeat hardcore, piano hardcore and jungle tekno split offs, it was a format that rapidly became a staple feature in almost all tracks that followed.
And that is why tracks 14 and 15 in this list are so important. Listen to any of the tracks in any of our lists for 1990 and further back, and you'll struggle to find that format so obviously presented as you will here.
16. Outlander - Vamp
Sampled to high heaven and played in all corners of the underground globe, this excellent record still shakes foundations when played out live. Simply superb, and a slightly different take on the classic hoover sound.
17. Air Of Gloom - Meditiation
The Beat Box label was responsible for some incredible music and had a sound all of their own. This beauty showcases perfectly their floaty take on hoover. Wonderful.
18. Human Resource - Dominator
Arguable the first record that bought the sound of the hoover to the wider British consciousness, this track slayed, and still slays. A bona fide classic.
19. 80 Aum - Mindcontroller
Another brain bashing hoover classic and with that skippy percussion, it kept floors packed to capacity.
20. Digital Orgasm - Moog Eruption
Trance Mission was a label on another level. They knew quality when they heard it and it was reflected in everything they put out. Belgian wasn't always about psychotic synths. It sometimes expressed moments of musical beauty and this is one of those.
21. Angel Ice - Je N'Aime Que Toi
With record covers that you could spend hours looking at and STILL see something new (look one up!) and a roster that included some of the best producers Belgium had to offer, Beat Box always came correct. This is a personal INSIDE DNB favourite and next level hoover.
22. Angel Ice - N'Aie Pas Peur
Another favourite. Angel Ice were a next level techno production outfit. We'd have never have left this out.
23. Praga Khan - Rave Alarm
Praga Khan was there from the very beginning of this whole movement and to not include him in this list would have been criminal. He was responsible for much of the new beat music flooding into the UK during 87/88/89 and much of the techno in 90/91 and 92. His input into the genre is immeasurable. This track was a banger in '91 and those hoovers still scratch your eyes out even now. Coming with that Beat Box musicality, this was a rushing tune of epic proportions.
24. Science Lab - Flesh and Blood
A sign perhaps of where the Belgians were heading once the hoover popularity bubble had burst, or at least a look forward to when it did (and it did), this wonderful trancer from the Mental Radio stable always struck a chord with us. Fabulous.
25. Phantasia - Violet Skies
And to finish this list of epic, in your face, off yer nut Belgian craziness is this paired down, forward thinking, vocal led beauty courtesy of Nikki Van Lierop, Praga Khan and Oliver Adams, a team responsible for much of the output across the entire Belgian techno movement.
If this music moves you, we would seriously suggest deep diving into the entire genre to uncover its many secrets. It's impact on the UK underground scene was shortlived, but its influence far reaching and even today you will hear DNB records being released with hallmarks of the genre intact.
