The Lost Tape

It’s 1991. Rave culture is at its peak across the UK. Sheffield, and Yorkshire in general, is a well established part of the scene. It’s within this world that Luca Lozano and Omega III started DJing. It would be their future career, and one that would see them travel the world. On The Lost Tape they return to their roots, a world of bleep and bass with a bit of Yorkshire piss taking thrown in.
Part 1 sees Luca Lozano at the helm, opening with white noise, looping synths and a pirate radio intro from MC Weavo. Infinity’s ‘Judgement Day Part 2’ starts proceedings and soon descends into the likes of Nightmares on Wax and LFO. Old adverts for raves and radio stations drift in and out. Get lost and you could find yourself in the 90s, in the back of a steamed up hatchback on a cold Sheffield night.
Omega is in charge for the second half of the hour-long tape. The pace increases now and shout-outs from Weavo continue, this time “to all the jungle heads”, acknowledging the route the music starts heading down. Highlights range from ‘Hooligan 69’ to the madness of Zomby’s ‘Ecstasy Versions’. Omega’s selection is more engaging, tracks come quicker and it’s a great way to end the mixtape.
The Lost Tape takes you back to an era when dance music was changing the music landscape. Not only is this Luca and Omega’s history, but Sheffield’s history - a reminder of the way the North has always embraced dance music. Most importantly, in a time when electronic music takes itself far too seriously, it’s good to hear a couple of blokes putting the fun back in.

George Springthorpe