Hits like “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica, “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain, “My Way” by Usher, and “Too Close” by Next ruled the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1998.
But outside of the mainstream, there was another kind of music playing in clubs in big cities across the U.S. and other countries. This was dance music, which was still rising from the underground and quickly becoming a culture phenomenon.
As part of it all, on July 24, 1998, acid house artist Josh Wink, who was born in Philadelphia, played a long set at Twilo, a club in New York City that was very important at the time. Three years ago, Wink released his first single, the defining rave track “Higher State of Consciousness,” along with the club hits “don’t Laugh” and “I’m Ready.” At the time, the heavily dreadlocked producer was a scene star known for both his evocative productions and his long sets that took people through a wide range of sounds, BPMs, and moods.
Wink is now celebrating these birthdays with a series of releases called Wink’s Found Sounds. These releases will include performances that have never been released before, rare live recordings, and other audio ephemera. The releases start with Wink’s set from Twilo, which you can hear below before anyone else.
Wink says in a statement, “Twilo became an international club institution in the 1990s.” The club is in the middle of New York City. A great sound system and great music from a wide range of artists drew both DJs and fans to the club, which had become a mecca for electronic music. It felt like home to me, a place where I could be both a show and a teacher. The best part for me was seeing how the crowd responded—an ocean of bodies moving to the beat with their eyes closed and their minds swimming through my choices. That looked like Twilo to me.
Even though Twilo closed in 2001, this 90-minute mix of house, acid house, drum & bass, techno, and more will take you back to the club.
