Review: Various Artists - Happy Gabber Sounds #2 (Mokum Records)

Mokum was, together with ID&T and Ruffneck Records, one of the "big three" labels in the 1990s Dutch Hardcore scene (and had an international "heavy rotation" chart hit with the Flamman & Abraxis remix of Technohead's "I want to be a hippy"). The label has been revived quite a while ago, and has been pumping out new releases since then - and a lot of these are of high quality.

This compilation album, as the title implies, focuses on "Happy Gabber Sounds". And, IMHO, this is a much needed 'breath of fresh air' in the ongoing Early Hardcore revival - as a lot of Early Hardcore focuses on one specific style (fast hoovers, horror and scifi samples, darkness.. you know what I mean).

So, we got some Happy Gabber sounds here for a change. The tracks here seem to be inspired by classic "cheerful" tracks that could be found on some Thunderdome releases, ID&T's Happy Hardcore / Happy Rave series, Martin Damm productions, or Mokum itself.
This is *not* "Happy Hardcore" in a traditional sense, though! Nothing like "Rainbow in the sky" or "Love you more" on here. Not a cheesefest for kiddies. These are Gabber tracks that happens to be interlaced with pitched up pop samples and other kitschy elements but remain fierce, hard, rough, brutal at their core.
Something for tough Gabbers that are still able to smile and take a joke now and then, maybe.

Mokum informs us that these 20 tracks are from the "90ies to 2024", and indeed, in between all the oldschool-ness, elements of contemporary hard styles can be heard, too.
They also tell us that "8 brand-new tracks" are included in the releases; and this alone would make this release worth getting
Highly recommended!

Rating 6 out of 5 happy stars.

https://mokumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mok305-happy-gabber-sounds-2

Tracklisting:

1. M-Project & Dynamax - Hope (Original Mix) 03:58
2. Riot Nation - Abba Gabba (Original Mix) 04:51
3. Flamman & Abraxas - Good To Go (2005 Mix) 05:06
4. Tekscape - BT4 Core (Original Mix) 04:18
5. Tellurian - Squash The Floor (Remastered) 03:36
6. Wicked XXX - Sunlight (Original Mix) 04:58
7. Peckerhead - Euro Vibe (Remastered) 03:34
8. X4phantom & DJ Ad - Tonight Is The Night (Original Mix) 04:50
9. Blue Calx - V16 Turbo (Remastered) 02:48
10. Morven - Bounce Bliss (Original Mix) 03:34
11. M-Project - Closer (Original Mix) 03:49
12. Technohead - I Wanna Be A Hippy (DJ Technorch Remix) 07:55
13. DieTRAX - GABBAGABBA HEAVY (Original Mix) 02:33
14. Tellurian & Delirium - Let It Flow (96 Mix Remastered) 04:36
15. Back2Bass - The Beating Of My Heart (Radio Mix Remastered) 03:31
16. Tekscape - Back To 95 (Original Mix) 04:27
17. DJ Chosen Few - Feel The Dream (Remastered) 03:59
18. Reeza - Rave To Forget (Original Mix) 04:20
19. X4phantom & DJ Ad - Break My Stride (Original Mix) 04:36
20. Arvid - Game Over (Original Mix) 04:28