DJ Buzz Fuzz* – #01EP

First of the three numbered EPs and in my opinion, clearly the best. Honestly, any member of The Dreamteam on ID&T Records is an instant purchase, it just so happens that this record also has four rockin' tunes! Even though it was released in January 1998, most of the tracks were made in the second half of 1997. I know its a tiny detail, but I like the catalogue number 00 95 94, which look like three separate years to me!

Fuck Happy is one of the more outstanding tunes on Thunderdome XIX and one of two anti Happy Hardcore disses, the other being We Killed The Pengo by Count Negative and MC Drokz. The first thing that hits you is the initial string of high pitched kicks, they are distinct and sound great. The main sound used is a Saw Tooth synth cutting across the left channel and right channel as if they are bouncing off each other, its quite noticeable when listening to this track through headphones. I like that decaying sound at the start of the last breakdown. The samples from Brain Candy are effective, of course, shouting FUCK HAPPY is mandatory. When this song came out I was completely done with Happy Hardcore, so it was the final nail in the coffin for me, so to speak. No Buzz Fuzz track would be complete without a massive outro, perfect for mixing, I like how the high end kicks are dotted into the outro. Despite the track title, I think its ironic that Buzzy's biggest tracks are Happy Hardcore anthems! I once asked Buzz Fuzz if the track title might have something to do with "happy drugs" and he said: "no, it's fuck Happy Hardcore!"

Dreamteam = Back seems like a reboot of The Dreamteam, at this time they were a threesome live act: Dano, Gizmo and Buzz Fuzz. The Prophet briefly left the group for a few years in late 1996 and completely stopped DJ-ing to concentrate on producing. I play this track the most off the record, probably because it's a Thunderdome XVIII track. Starting off with something that sounds like The Jackson Five's Dreamer (it's not though), a nice 80's song nonetheless before those Buzz Fuzz beats kick in. Once again a Saw Tooth synth rips across the track going left to right. The main three quarter breakdown is dominated by vocals samples taken from the aptly titled 1986 song, The Dream Team Is In The House by L.A. Dream Team. Simple but really solid tune by 25% Of The Dreamteam, imagine if it was 100%. :) And there's a massive outro.

Trippin' is an interesting track, more laidback and a possible attempt at New School Hardcore by Buzz Fuzz. The mysterious intro is a great start, the intro is also used at the start of the Global Hardcore Nation Part 2 VHS. The sample from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas works quite well here. The catchy Saw Tooth synth riff is pretty good, I also enjoy the switch up in the kickdrum which is fairly high end in sound. The trippy vocals used further enhance the tune, the three quarter breakdown is good leading into a drumroll and another different kickdrum used. A bit different from Pino D'Ambini but nicely done. And there's a massive outro.

The final track is The Lighthousekeeper, its the fastest song on the record and a bit odd. You have a song slagging off Happy Hardcore and on the same record you use admittedly cute but cheesy female vocals from 1971! Smells like a contradiction. Personally, I'm OK with the vocals. After more Saw Tooth action, the other element of note here is the sampling of The Meltdown by Lunatic Asylum. Also in 1998, on MOK84, Riot Nation samples The Meltdown in his track Fuckin' House. For a brief period of time, I wondered who sampled it first and was somebody being a copycat! To be fair, it sounds wonderful in both tracks. And there's a massive outro.......but this time there's more singing about a Lighthouse, how quaint.

Fantastic four track EP by Buzz Fuzz, an essential record for any fan of Hardcore Gabber. During this time, Buzz Fuzz was making some great music and was sought after for killer remixes. Plus he was arguably the number one Hardcore DJ in Holland and Europe in general, he was also voted Best DJ in the Thunder Magazine. This vinyl really caps off a fruitful period for Mark Vos. Also, the record must have been popular, with ID&T releasing it as a CD single.

In 2002, Buzz Fuzz toured Australia with Omar Santana and Rob Gee, I was lucky enough to meet the three DJs, which was a wappie experience for me. When Buzzy was autographing my records, this vinyl came up, he said that he had not brought this record with him from The Netherlands. He really wanted to play Fuck Happy and kindly asked if he could borrow my copy to play at the party. I happily said yes, my DJ friends looked jealous! He dropped Fuck Happy at the end of his set, and I had a smile on my face. :)

And finally when this record was made, Feranzano's Attic (Buzz Fuzz's studio in Amsterdam), housed the following pieces of equipment: S-3000 XL sampler - TR 909 drum computer - E-mu - Orbit 9090 - Digitech TSR 24 Effect - Digitech studio quad - Atari 1040 ST + Apple 840 AV - Roland MKS-50 - Roland JV-1080 - Roland W30 - Ultrafex II - Behringer - Behringer Eurodesk - MC 202 Roland - SH 101 Roland - TR 707 Roland - TR 727 Roland - HR 16 - Alesis monitor one - Alesis monitor two - 4 DAT recorders.

P.S. Only people from Brisvegas will understand, I got my copy of this record from kick boxing champion Paul DJ Hurricane Briggs, he had his entire record collection laid out in The Living Room which was the House room at The Tube, I bought half of his Hardcore collection and got this beauty for $7!!!

Also 'lighthousekeeper' is a very solid track! But then again, it has stolen parts of the track 'Lunatic asylum - The meltdown' and a sample from the movie Clockwork orange. A bit to cheasy for good producer as Buzzy!