Staff WriterWe pick our Top 10 Carl Cox mixes from over the years.
Starting off as a hardcore DJ, it all began for Carl Cox in the 1980s at the early age of 15, and since then has pretty much dominated the world of house and techno.
The last two decades have seen Cox grow to be the biggest underground DJ in the world, from serving as a monthly DJ for BBC 1’s Essential Mix to holding down his ‘Music Is Revolution’ residency in Space Ibiza for 15 years, from 2001 until 2016…. Today on the great mans Birthday, we take a look at our favourite 10 of Carl Cox’s techno mixes of all time.
1. Italy – 1996
Kicking things off we have his Essential Mix live from Italy in 1996, 2 hours of golden era hard techno.
2. Birmingham – 1996
Next up, another Essential Mix from his world tour in 1996 this time coming from Birmingham. The mix starts off with tracks from the likes of Josh Wink and Slam before picking up in pace and finishing with classics from artists like Dave Angel and Cajmere.
3. Techno Parade – 1998
The way techno was being played was changing faster than ever towards the end of the 90s. Carl Cox at Techno Parade in Paris during the summer of 98 begins to show a more modernized touch to techno as well as plenty of tribal techno being introduced.
4. Essential Mix – 1994
Step back to 1994 to a Carl Cox Essential that’s pretty much structured around acid techno. Classics from the likes of Thomas P. Heckmann, Laurent Garnier and Joey Beltram can be expected throughout this one.
5. Dance Valley – 2001
The early 2000s came in the form of loopy, fast-paced and hard-driven techno while trance began to explode around around. 2001’s dance valley saw Carl Cox headline alongside the likes of Dave Clarke, Sven Vath and UMEK.
6. I Love Techno – 2001
Carl Cox at Belgium’s I Love Techno in 2001 is as good as it gets really. Monster tracks from the likes of Speedy J and Thomas Schumacher that still are played regularly to this day can be expected out of this one.
7. Chicago – 2000
Carl Cox live at Crobar Nightclub, Chicago in 2000 see’s a more American influenced set-list with the likes of DJ Funk and Aphrohead being heard in the mix.
8. Mayday Sonic Empire – 1997
Back to 1997 where Cox played at Mayday Sonic Empire for a set that is littered with big names including Jeff Mills, Dave Clarke, Ian Pooley and Laurent Garnier, and what would have been future classics at the time.
9. F.A.C.T. – CD 1
This mix is full of techno anthems, a bit acid, vaguely trancy in party and quite tough. It’s got everything.
10. Ulster Hall – Belfast – 1994
This one’s our favourite. It’s not for the faint-hearted. We’ve warned you.