Gradually evolving from the English rave scene of the late '80s
and early '90s, Happy
Hardcore featured many of the same elements that characterized
rave: impossibly
high beats per minute, similarly fast synthesizer/piano runs,
and vocal samples altered
to make the most soulful diva sound like a warbling chipmunk.
The jungle/drum'n'bass
movement had also emerged from rave, but the two scenes split
and grew quite
anathemic. The positive vibes of Happy Hardcore were criticized
by most club-goers
as music for the drugged-out youth but, just as the hardcore-into-jungle
scene found
favor with critics later in the decade, a certain amount of respect
for Happy Hardcore
appeared also. The work of combination DJ/producers such as Slipmatt,
Hixxy &
Sharkey, Force & Styles and DJ Dougal produced innumerable
compilations, as well
as the inevitable solo production LPs.
Recommended Listening
1. Various Artists - Speed Limit 140 BPM+, Vols. 1-8 (Moonshine)
2. Various Artists - United Dance Presents: The Anthems 92-97 (United Music)
3. Various Artists - Happy2bHardcore, Vols. 1-2 (Moonshine)
4. Various Artists - Now We're Totally Bonkers, Vols. 1-3 (React)
5. Force & Styles - All Over the UK (United Dance)
6. Sharkey - HardLife (React)
Related Styles: Club/Dance Techno House Hardcore
Techno Rave
Acid House Electronica Gabber
List of Key Artists
DJ Eruption
DJ Sy
Dougal
Force & Styles
Hixxy & Sharkey
Ramos Supreme & Sunset
Regime
Slipmatt
Sy & Unknown
Music Maps
Happy Hardcore - from: "Rave" map
Happy Hardcore - from: "Hardcore Techno" map
List of Most Frequently Accessed Artists
Slipmatt ( 80)
Hixxy & Sharkey ( 34)
Force & Styles ( 29)
Sharkey ( 16)
DJ Eruption ( 16)
Dougal ( 16)