In our second edition of Flashback Fridays, a classic track issued in 1994 called ‘Alcatraz’ by Electrotete, a project that featured Juno Reactor’s Ben Watkins together with Nick Burton (who was also in Juno).

Juno Reactor has always defied boundaries in the electronica scene, not fitting as neatly into specific stylistic categories – as stated last week, early parties featured a wide variety of music as a particular ‘style’ of music that would define the events taking place in Goa had not yet crystallized – and this early work by this Juno side project is a prime example of the genre-crossing nature of the music from the scene’s formative years.

This track is dark and broody with a mysterious atmosphere that fits just as well in the darkness as it does around daybreak – I am certain I heard this in my early days of partying in Japan played around twilight, as the light starts to adjust and you are able to see more second-by-second. (I think there is too little attention paid to time-of-day these days, with people playing constantly thumping music regardless of the time or external conditions.) The track features some classic Juno sounds, as well as lush synth lines, evocative atonal chime effects, and clearly accentuated tribal rhythms. The airy texture of the synth line, with its breath-like effect, is a wonderful effect for a track like this played outdoors, where the air is moving and dancers are communing in a natural environment. And the tempo – 128 bpm – is one that supports a more groovy, organic style of dancing and connection to the earth. An all-time classic!