1999.09.25 - Sounds of DJ Darkness

The great tape streak of September 1999 concludes with this legendary Rinse Out show.  It's the only first gen recording in my collection to feature DJ Darkness.  It's a tape that was loved and still loved upon rediscovery.  Give it a listen on our streaming player below ↓

Like the week before the show starts late, but once things get rolling it just keeps on rolling.  This tape is a solid 90 minutes over two tape sides making for really some good repeat listens.  There are quite a few rare tracks on this recording too, and because it's a Rinse Out show there isn't a whole lot of talking, but when there is it's so strange, I don't know how else to describe it.  The CKLN Shanty Town Effect maybe?  Either way, I listen to it all with a sense of fondness now.  Really, it's the strange mic moments, rare tracks and long stretches of mix that make up the vibe of this tape.  To this day I'm struck by how this tape can be quite chill in spots and dark, spooky and hard in other spots.

As far as who is spinning we're given a couple of clues, obviously we've got Darkness talking at the beginning of the tape as mentioned before, and then not too long after Medicine Muffin is on the mic.  There's also some familiar tunes at the end of Side B that Muffin spun the week before on the September 18th tape, and with all that in mind, my official guess is that it's Muffin spinning on Side B, and Darkness on Side A.

This tape also holds the distinction of being the only tape of mine that Chris copied back in the day.  That 35 minute, best of mix, still stands as one of my most played mixes in the collection.

So what do you think of the mix?  Registered users can leaves comments below so sign up for a free account and let us know what you think!