At the free fight games held in Tokyo, only the best fighters of the world can appear to show their skills in battling one another. On K-1 records the formula is the same: there is only room for the best and most powerful music. Former owner of the now legendary 80 AUM Records, Jayant Edoo started this label with said motto. With its combination of techno, hard house and trance, this style is especially suited to huge areas and enormous sound systems.

Eric Powa B (Leader of Blast �N� Powa and one of the pioneers of house music in Europe) started as a DJ in the 80s (LE BLITZ in Knokke, LA GAIETE in Brussels, FIFTY FIVE and BOCCACCIO in Gent), was responsible for the success of LA ROCCA in Antwerp and is now resident DJ of WHO�S WHO�S LAND (STUDIOLIVE) in Brussels. He has created and mixed the compilations of LA ROCCA and has produced for R&S, Musicman, Big Time and now Pias and has just finished his first album, Blast'n'Powa presents Mangorama, a kind of Tribal-Funky-Jazz, under his own label Afro Traxx. Here he gives us 3 deep house mixes of �Freakin� � the original, plus a dub and instrumental.

After a solid year of releases the Stimulant DJs let the label have a breather as they took to the skies to deliver their wares on the dancefloors of Australia, Canada and the USA with a full on DJ schedule. After the dust had settled on their tour they flew back home exhausted but vowing to write a new single before passing out to catch up on some well earned sleep. The jetlagged studio session saw them take a funkier approach with the result being a chunky, groovin' and swingin' number entitled 'Stop The Groove' (a track that impressed the Tidy Boys SO much they wanted to snap it up for Tidy Trax!). This was then quickly followed by the tough and euphoric 'Rebelz', a prime-time hard trancer that knocks the arse out of the dancefloor. Currently featured on the 'Insomnia 2' album (also mixed by the Stimulants) and getting full support from The Tidy Boys, Lee Haslam, Justin Bourne, Billy 'Daniel' Bunter and many more key DJ personalities.

'Unipolar' is one of those records which will do well with both progressive and trance DJs. The main track is both melodic and uplifting, but still relys heavy on the rhythm. A quality Black Hole style release, produced by Geert Huinik and Steven Klaver. Geert Huinink made a name for himself with Dawnseekers (licensed to Platipus) and Photon Project,and several remixes for Sister Bliss, Storm and Oceanlab. He has also cooperated with Tiësto on debut artist album. Steven Klaver made an impressive debut with his King Of Clubs - Revelation 12" which is featured on the latest Gatecrasher 2002 compilation.

DJ Debra's 'Sweat' is her third release on the Wildlife label and follow-up to the much credited 'Radical'. Once again Debra teams up with DJ Jaimy for one of Holland's funkiest tunes of the moment, creating the 70's black vibe in a modern production. Wildlife is a Black Hole subsidiary label which succesfully combines funky grooves with progressive elements.

With the dexterity of a master, Weirdo manages to fuse elements of trance, hard house, NRG and old skool to create something truly unique and utterly powerful. His music is instantly recognisable, yet never the same, and with it he has built a following of DJs and clubbers alike that borders on maniacal! This is the first of three special edition vinyl EPs, with their own packaging to tie in with the CD release of his album, 'Normalisation', featuring all six of the previously unreleased tracks. 'Afterworld': It's vintage! Driving trance with those chord changes & filters that you know will make you stand there in the middle of the dancefloor letting it wash over you, sending those shivers down your spine. Then kicking back in for a damn fine stomp. 'Diskotek': As the title suggests, Weirdo has got the groove. It�s fresh n funky & perfect for those opening sets where you gotta lure those clubbers away from the bar and on to the dancefloor.

Trance outing from Ultra with a brilliant remix from Svenson & Gielen who are also known as Airscape. Being caned worldwide by all the usual suspects, inc. Tiësto, Ferry Corsten, Armin Van Buuren and Graham Gold.

Having received numerous plays on the Radio from Tong in the past months, this track then got licensed to numerous high profile compilations that as yet will remain a secret. Mac Zimms then picked up on it, and has been playing it all over the world. On the B side trance man of the moment Van Burren adds his talent to the track and takes it in a slightly different direction. Fusing the original funkyness with some more trancier elements, this has been a track that has kept dancefloors nicely stoked in some of the biggest clubs around the world.

Don�t be fooled by the title - this isn�t a hoover driven stomper, it�s a melodic, well thought out piece of hard trance. The mix by Equinok takes you on a rollercoaster ride with its tight beats and driving bassline getting you in the groove. The lushy resonant synths complement the deep underlying stabs and fills as the track takes you an enlightening journey. The remix comes courtesy of Marc Kessler. The typical German style is ever evident, with its pounding kick and basslines building to a climax where you are hit by the bubbling leads and thrown into a state of euphoric pleasure.

After a very limited number of whites were circulated, Judge Jules picked up on this track and made it his signature tune over the course of the next three months, hammering it throughout clubland and on his Radio show. This breakbeat-trancer is still in high demand and the original mix is being hammered up and down the country by various DJs, but more importantly by the Radio One DJ team of Seb and Jules. Seb Fontaine has picked up on the remix by Plug, new producers whose own track �Indian Summer�, was released to critical acclaim earlier this year. Plug have produced a tough progressive track which is not to dissimilar to the Dutch Progressive Trance showcased by acts such as DJ Remy. No. 7 in the Buzz Chart and No. 16 in the Coolcuts Chart (week commencing 11/3.)

From ecstacy anthems to grammy nominations (K-Klass have been nominated in the �remix of the year� category in this years Grammys) to over 100 remixes spanning the last decade there�s not a lot that K-Klass haven�t done. They�ve spent the last two years rediscovering clubland and their blistering DJ sets have found regular favour at such clubs as Shindig, Cream, Gatecrasher, Ministry of Sound, Headstart and The Zap amongst others in the UK as well as Amnesia and Privilege in Ibiza. The result of these sets has been the forthcoming 12 on Junior � �Baby Wants To Ride/Out Of My Head'. two absolute belters that show off K-Klass�s rediscovered love of clubland to devastating effect. Early support has come from a wide range of DJs including Steve Lawler, Huggy, Seb Fontaine, Tall Paul, Mike Monday and Gordon Kaye as well as Dave Seaman licensing it for his Global Underground compilation.

April 2002 sees the launch of Robert Burns and Nigel Champion�s new label, Phenomenal Recordings. Subliminal have already signed several Majestic 12 EPs and they also have a forthcoming remix of Hydraulic Dogs� �Shake It For Me� on Direction (Sony) amongst various other projects. If you like to get your groove on then this is for you. There�s some vocal funkyness, some tech house business and some more driving twisted beats to wet your appetite. The deadly duo prove they can turn their hand at any style and showcase what will be the future direction of the label. The label will make many twists and turns but will always cater for the top end of the market and coupled with all the remix work for the high profile labels, these two will have their work cut out ensuring they stay top of the pile when it comes to quality production for their own label.

Details to follow.

Transient return to the fold with a classic artist who returns to the scene after a lengthy production hiatus. Manmademan, is a well-known artist in the trance field and his productions have been supported by fans worldwide for years. This is a taster from his forthcoming long-player, of which 'Single Cell' is the opening track. It features conga-led percussion, a rumbling bassline & dark synth stabs, which make for a classy album opener that crosses slightly into prog trance territory. 'Palladium' is a tuff Germanic trance track with skippy hats and moody drone sounds driving it along.

This track has been lurking around the prog circuit for 2 months now, steadily creating more and more attention amongst the key players. First Digweed played it on his Friday night Kiss FM show, "It's wicked", then a mail from Roger S, "I think that the track is deep & tasty..ethereal & with balls!" Word from Lawler saying he would like a copy, then Sasha started playing it and a request from Dave Seaman for his next GU compilation. Number 1 in Plastic Fantastic/Plasticas chart and Release Records (Toronto.)

Some fresh disco/funk house grooves, suitable for DJs into Subliminal/Defected/Rulin'. Vocals are by S. Martina on S.E.X., produced by Raf & Funkerman. Funkerman is the resident at one of the hottest clubnights in Amsterdam, and is well known for his funkin' house sets around Holland. Raf is a multitalented engineer who lately remixed Way Out West together with DJ Dazzle.

The second instalment of the Recycled trilogy continues with this the first half of the double header release. First up is Anne Savage with 'Real Freaks'. A Tidy classic in many peoples' eyes and the Hoodlums have done a great job in giving this a 2002 overhaul. The Hoodlums are from Waxworks Records in the U.S.A. and their mix has received regular plays from Anne herself, The Tidy Boys, Andy Farley and Lisa Lashes. On the other side we have the long awaited release of the Ultra Violent remix of Trauma � Higher. Paul King remixed this at the back end of 2001 and the initial feedback was big with noticeable support from hard boys Paul Glazby, Ian M and Pants & Corset. Part two of this release will be out in the summer.

The Red Moon project was conceived in January 2001, and the first two sessions produced 'Caterpillar' and 'Centipede' (released on Eukahouse last summer), and the now classic 'Esther The Whore' (for Surround Sounds.) This single has 2 of the most DJ friendly tracks off the Red Moon album: 'Lucky' is deep, dark, & twisted with a real swing while 'Make A Move' is a pumping techno track with an awesome driving bass and a catchy vocal hook. The essence of the Red Moon sound is the layering of gritty percussion to create perfect organic rhythms that draw you in, spin you round, hypnotize you, and gently let you down when it's all over. Red Moon is all about the journey, as depth and space divide the sparse instrumentation and twisted fx that ebb and flow through the mix. Call it tech house or whatever you want, Red Moon are one funk-fuelled fireball just waiting to explode worldwide.

Phil Reynolds is the UK�s number one hard trance DJ. Headlining the 5000 capacity hard house academy and mainframe events in the UK and touring the globe for Nukleuz and Frantic, his style is known the world over. Mark Richardson is a nineteen year-old from county Durham who is going to be propelled into the limelight this year as one of the best producers in hard dance. His debut release on Nukleuz purple has been one of the labels fastest-selling records in 2002. Together they kick-ass! 'Computer Logic' and the flip-side 'Vinyl Addiction' are two peak time anthems that have destroyed dance-floors everywhere on the release�s test runs.

Highlander is a lost treasure from a couple of years ago, never released on vinyl but hammered exclusively by Paul Oakenfold from acetate for years. Probably his most wanted but never released record. Taste Experience are masters in creating atmospheric songs, varying from melodic trance to lounge. Their main quality lies in the use of real musicians instead of computers. The main remix is by Ralphie B, who has been in the spotlight with his latest tune 'Massive', which was signed to MOS and Vandit Records.

'Into Other Worlds' is George Winkworth�s 2nd solo track as Slipstream. His last track 'Krakatao' was a big Gatecrasher tune and was in Scott Bond�s top 10 for some time. This release is a more punchy affair that creeps up on you through the build - when it hits the breakdown you are introduced to the main riff which immediately grabs your attention and buries itself into your brain, and from there it never lets up the pace.