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Rewind to the ‘90s with this vast archive of classic rave tapes

Immerse yourself in the San Francisco scene’s halcyon years...

San Francisco has long been considered a hotbed of electronic music on the U.S. west coast. The likes of Claude Von Stroke and his Dirtybird camp might be leading the way on a contemporary basis, but if you’re yearning for a trip down memory lane this recently re-discovered array of tapes is sure to be of interest. 

Although this may come as a surprise to our younger readers, back in the ’90s and early ‘80s (and way before the Internet became as prevalent as it is today), swapping cassettes was very much much the norm - and considered an essential way to source new tunes. Thankfully, cassette culture has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity of late, and with it comes a host of previously unavailable, absolutely brilliant music — epitomised here by the work here of the SFDPS (San Francisco Disco Preservation Society). 

And if the below recordings are any indication, the SFDPS is doing a fine job of keeping up with its lofty title. A vast collection of “ninetiesDJarchives”, the tapes touch on everything from house to techno to disco, all the while paying homage to San Francisco’s rich and diverse nightlife culture. 

With literally 100s of mix tapes to choose from, there’s something for everyone here. If you’re up for a bit of musical nostalgia this Christmas, you could do much worse than checking out the collection below.

Still after more San Francisco goodness? Be sure to check out '10 Moments that defined Claude Von Stroke' here.