I’ve only ever been to trade twice in my life, and even though I was used to a drug-fuelled night of clubbing, as a regular at TinTins Club Birmingham; I’m happy to admit I felt a little nervous walking into Trade.
There isn’t a club in the UK that offered what Trade at Turnmills in London offered clubbers. An after hours event that was full of people who’d decided they were not quite ready to go home, after partying their night way in the UK capital. Providing they knew Trade was about the music, drugs and dancing, anyone without an attitude was welcome.
You could not walk into Trade without feeling nervous. The thumping bass lines you could hear from within the club, and that moment you walk through the door and realising everyone was off their head just enjoying the music. This is proper clubbing, which has sadly been removed from the UK, thanks to a government that is happy to see the dance club scene disappear, as it doesn’t suit the image they want for the UK.
Trade’s Love Affair with the Parade: A Look Back at Alan Thompson’s Iconic CD1
In the annals of electronic music, few names resonate with the same power and passion as Trade. And when you combine the legendary London club with the global phenomenon of the Love Parade, you’re guaranteed a sonic explosion. Alan Thompson’s CD1 from the Trade Love Parade series is more than just a mix; it’s a snapshot of a pivotal moment in dance music history, a testament to the raw energy of Trade, and a masterclass in high-octane hard house.
The Love Parade: A Movement, Not Just an Event
To understand the significance of this CD, you first need to grasp the scale and spirit of the Love Parade. Originating in Berlin in 1989, it wasn’t just a party; it was a political demonstration for peace and understanding through music. By the late 90s and early 2000s, it had blossomed into a colossal annual event, attracting over a million people to the streets of Berlin. Floats adorned with colossal sound systems, each representing a different club or label, crawled through the city, blasting out techno, house, and trance. It was a vibrant, inclusive carnival of sound and unity, a place where barriers dissolved, and shared euphoria reigned supreme.
Trade’s Unforgettable Presence
Trade, known for its uncompromisingly hard, fast, and often tribal sound, might seem an unlikely bedfellow for a parade that embraced a broader spectrum of electronic music. However, Trade’s involvement in the Love Parade was deeply significant. It showcased the club’s influence beyond its London stronghold and brought its unique, no-holds-barred energy to an international audience. Trade’s presence on a float was a statement: hard house was not just a niche genre; it was a force to be reckoned with, capable of moving millions.
The energy Trade brought to the Love Parade was palpable. Imagine a sea of people, stretching as far as the eye could see, suddenly being hit with the relentless assault of Trade’s sound system. It was an exhilarating contrast to some of the more melodic offerings, a pure, unadulterated shot of adrenaline that cut through the air in Leeds UK. For many attendees, the Trade float was a highlight, a place where they could truly let loose and experience the raw power of the underground.
Alan Thompson: The Architect of Chaos
At the helm of Trade’s sonic contribution for this particular Love Parade was Alan Thompson. A stalwart of the hard house scene and a resident DJ at Trade, Thompson was (and remains) synonymous with the club’s sound. He possessed an innate understanding of how to build tension, unleash devastating drops, and keep a crowd perpetually moving. His mixes were never about subtle transitions; they were about relentless propulsion, driving rhythms, and an almost brutal efficiency in delivering maximum impact.
Thompson’s choice for CD1 of the Trade Love Parade series perfectly encapsulates this ethos. It’s a mix that doesn’t just play tracks; it orchestrates a high-energy journey, a sonic rollercoaster designed to evoke the very essence of a Trade night.
Deconstructing the Mix: A Masterclass in Hard House
Alan Thompson’s CD1 is a masterclass in hard house mixing. From the moment the first beat drops, there’s an immediate sense of urgency and power. The tracks chosen are quintessential hard house anthems of the era, characterised by their driving basslines, intricate percussion, and often euphoric, yet never saccharine, breakdowns.
One of the defining features of Thompson’s mixing style, evident throughout this CD, is his precision and speed. Transitions are tight, almost imperceptible, allowing the energy to build relentlessly without any dips. He’s a DJ who understood the power of layering, often weaving in acapellas or additional percussive elements to add depth and intensity to the already pulsating tracks.
The track selection is meticulously curated to maintain a peak-time atmosphere. You won’t find any introspective warm-up tracks here. Instead, it’s a relentless assault of chunky beats, distorted synths, and the kind of basslines that vibrate through your entire body. The mix seamlessly flows from one high-energy track to the next, each one building upon the last, creating a cumulative effect of pure sonic exhilaration.
The breakdowns, when they occur, are expertly crafted to provide momentary breathers before plunging back into the full-throttle assault. These aren’t drawn-out, emotional affairs; rather, they serve as launchpads for even more explosive drops, designed to send the crowd into a frenzy. The use of vocal samples is often minimal but effective, serving to punctuate the energy rather than dominate it.
What truly sets this mix apart is its ability to capture the raw, unadulterated energy of a live Trade experience. You can almost feel the sweat dripping, hear the whistles blowing, and imagine the collective roar of a crowd lost in the music. It’s a mix that demands to be played loud, a testament to the power of a perfectly crafted hard house set.
Legacy and Impact
Alan Thompson’s CD1 from the Trade Love Parade series stands as a significant artifact in the history of electronic music. It not only documents Trade’s crucial role in one of the world’s largest dance music events but also showcases Alan Thompson’s undeniable skill as a DJ.
For those who were there, it’s a nostalgic trip back to a time when dance music felt boundless and exhilarating. For those who weren’t, it offers a vivid glimpse into the heart of the hard house scene and the electrifying atmosphere of the Love Parade. It’s a reminder of a period when music wasn’t just something to listen to; it was a force to be experienced, to be felt in every fibre of your being.
The Trade Love Parade CD1 isn’t just a collection of tracks; it’s a testament to the enduring power of hard house, the unifying spirit of the Love Parade, and the legendary touch of Alan Thompson. It’s a mix that continues to inspire and electrify, proving that true musical passion never fades.