As we saw back in 1991, the piano riff style borrowed mainly from Italo house was devastating when laid over a breakbeat, but in that year it was a much mellower vibe. By '92, with the increase in tempo and with the beats getting tougher, the impact of the piano breakbeat style got tougher too.
'92 was the year that hardcore really lost its marbles. Let's not beat about the bush. It was about rushing your tits off. Check some of this stuff out and see what we mean!
1.Terrorize - It's Just A Feeling
With that pounding 4/4 and scrunching synth, this had ravers going absolutely bonkers. A Carl Cox favourite and loved by everybody!
2.Awesome 3 - Don't Go
Another absolute slammer. When that piano riff hits on the breakdown though.............
3.Manix - Try To Love Me
For us at least, Manix were the undisputed masters of piano breakbeat. Marc Mac just knew how to add every ingredient to the exct right amount, and the beats were always absolutely firing, much like any other 4 Hero production. They were untouchable in this regard, and this Manix production really had/has the ability to lift any room to it's rafters.
4.Manix - Oblivion (Head In The Clouds)
Another supreme production from Manix. This thing is just incredible, and Manix were definitely early exponents of the emerging happy hardcore movement. Pianos for days!
5.Barrington Levy Featuring Rebel MC – Under Me Sensi
Yikes. We absolutely LOVE this massive uplifting choon from '92. Totally amazing, and a pumpin' rework of the Tribal Bass track of the previous year, this was a sterling effort from Rebel MC.
6.Origination - Break Down
Before Photek was making ground breaking drum and bass he was making classic breakbeat hardcore. This thing just absolutely romps along and while there isn't a strictly true jungle theme in this, what there is, is energy, and jungle had this in abundance, was a strong, clear, soul vocal sample, and that's the reason we've included it here.
There were a whole heap of vocal sampling hardcore tracks littering the musical wasteland of this year, but this track just as that jungle sample feel to it. Hard to describe, but easy to hear. Packed full of energy.
7. MC Lethal - Rave Digger
Get those hands in the air!!!!!!!! YIKES!
8. Noise Overload - Right Here, Right Now (pt 2)
Global Dance was a hell of a label and while this isn't necessarily all piano, it is totally uplifting. A banger.
9. Hackney Hardcore - Caught With A Spliff (We Are Drug Squad Officers Mix)
Strictly Underground back on the buttons with a true hands in the air, squeeling, swirling, stabbing rave monster.
10. Jem77 - Never Felt This Way
One of those that you could bounce around like an absolute loon to ALL NIGHT LONG! Absolutely superb.
