David Hikari's 1994 'Connected' Ambient Mix

David Hikari's 1994 'Connected' Ambient Mix

Author: DJ Solitare October 26, 2019 Duration: 45:20
A glorious ambient mix made by David Dobson in Japan in the '94-'95 season. This mix was produced for the Tokyo-based shop Connected, who every month offered mixtapes for sale, one side being a dance mix, the other side being a downtempo mix. I met David at a party he organized in October 1994 - the first time that I heard Olli from Space Tribe and my first real exposure to the 'Goa' sound - and he would become a kind of mentor to me during our stay in Japan. He soon left for Bali to go produce the Hikari brand of clothing, but still passed through Japan over the years and we both lived there in 1998-99 when I was more active as a DJ. This ambient mix has long been one that I consider to be ideal, with a truly evocative atmosphere and brilliant progression of storyline. Unfortunately I was unable to locate my original cassette purchased from Connected, so this dubbing was made from a copy I had made of that cassette. However, due to what I consider its 'historical importance', I am uploading it to share (privately for now).

For those who feel the original pulse of psychedelic trance, Goa Trance Formation offers a deep and authentic journey. Hosted by DJ Solitare, whose real name is Mark Ainley, this podcast is built on a foundation that spans decades. Mark isn't just a selector; he's a classically-trained musician who maintains a parallel career in the classical industry, bringing a unique ear for composition and structure to the electronic realm. His history is part of the scene's fabric, with active involvement since 1994. Each episode represents his dual allegiance to pioneering labels: the Italian retro-focused DAT Universe and Tsuyoshi Suzuki's seminal Matsuri Digital. What you'll hear is a deliberate fusion, a mixing style that respectfully bridges the genre's formative, organic sounds with the clarity and drive of contemporary productions. This isn't a random playlist, but a curated narrative-a "formation" in both a musical and almost geological sense, layering the old with the new to create something timeless. Listening to this podcast feels like accessing a living archive, where the spirit of Goa is not a relic but a continuously evolving conversation. Expect seamless mixes where classic melodies meet modern basslines, all guided by an insider's perspective on where the sound has been and where it's intuitively heading next. The result is a cohesive, hour-long experience that honors the roots while firmly facing the future, perfect for long drives, focused work, or late-night headphone sessions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 24

Goa Trance Formation
Podcast Episodes
DJ Solitare on Trancendance October 28 2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:18
A guest appearance on citr.ca's Trancendance program, in which I speak with host DJ Smiley Mike about my recent experience playing in Belgium, as well as general discussions about the scene, such as DJ set length, the im…
DJ Solitare - Goa Trance Formation (Trance History Vol. 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:07
A spoken introduction to my own introduction to psychedelic trance in Tokyo in 1994, the second of several podcasts that will explore the underground scene as it was evolving at the time and my experiences at this format…
DJ Solitare - Goa Trance Formation (Trance History Vol. 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:03
A spoken introduction to my own introduction to psychedelic trance in Tokyo in 1994, the first of several podcasts that will explore the underground scene as it was evolving at the time and my experiences at this formati…