Dance Energy - BBC2, 1990

[@thingamajacky]

little did they know how classic and enduring Total Confusion would be. 35 years later it still kicks.

[@Trancetechniqueradio]

One of the favorites! Got it on vinyl ! I was the kid that went out with the ghetto blaster pumping out the TUNES back in the raving days! Rave ON Matey!

[@fenixvolt2777]

I was in the audience a few times, cannot remember for the life of me how we got tickets, but believe it was like going to a rave! The 90's were the best! We'd watch someone big from America, then go clubbing up west and bump into them! No lie, I met run DMC, public enemy, das efx loads of them!

[@alchamone8133]

Bought my copy at Kensington indoor market

[@oldskoolbeats1989]

To blow your mind into the atmosphere, come on, feel the bass coz London's ere 😅 Total confusion big tune 🎉🎉

[@flycrashrepairrepeat6225]

yeah man.. that last part always had any floor bouncing!

[@rajeeb3500]

Daydreaming gives me shivers . Pure class

[@urbanwarrior3470]

Yep. Untouchable.

[@utredutredson1686]

I like all types of Music but Blue Lines perhaps the greatest debut Album of all time.

[@SilvaBlakk]

Still bump this track and the album to this day...timeless classic...who remembers when they had to drop "Attack" from their name because of the Gulf War?...

[@joe2goo]

Normski drinks and sometimes DJs in my local. Lovely bloke.

[@JPatelLive]

That's wkd. What's ya local then? Be good to see him! 👏🏾

[@leolovetoparty]

Super nice guy. I've hung with him fairly recently through friends of friends. He's also a wicked photographer.

[@orbtastic]

@@leolovetoparty Aye there's a great book of his on early hip-hop scene full of his photos.

[@GranTurismoRaceReplays]

This is a reminder when race was trumped by music and culture. The 90s was the best decade in history. Proof generation X are the most blessed in history.

[@TheKnockoutNerd]

Agree it was a great time to grow up. What colour or religion you were didn't seem to matter then. I'm sure there were racists and extremists around then but they weren't really visible. Now they all congregate online and share their fkd up ideas and racist conspiracy theories and basically radicalise each other. 30years ago young people would all come together and dance all weekend with every colour, race, gender or whatever and no-one gave it a second thought. The rave scene was so positive compared to nowadays. In my opinion once the pills started getting crap in the early 2000's is when that era came to an end and violence started getting out of hand. Just my opinion though

[@breakfreak3181]

Me and my mate say the 90s was peak civilisation....only half tongue in cheek!

[@brandonfromlondonuk3484]

100% FACTS i feel so blessed to have lived through the 90s as a teen

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

That’s still the way the world is, if you want it to be. Their attempts to divide only work if you let them. Sure, there’s racists out there of every colour, but they’re usually easy to spot, and some of them can recover from it.

[@meegoreng8155]

Why just generation x? I'm a millennial born in 1981 and I experienced the 90s.

[@Onestepbeyond89]

Haha just spotted me old mate shovell on percussion he will be pleased 🎉😂

[@simonclord7697]

Thought that was him. Also worked with Kenny Thomas

[@LightLeadershippodcast]

I was 11 years old and felt cool just watching it on bbc2 as my parents looked confused!

[@natwillz333]

Same! I was 11 too & it was cool✌🏼

[@harri7416]

As a 16 year old in 1990 this was ESSENTIAL viewing. When the BBC was half cool, before the reintroduction of Strictly Come Dancing.

[@TheReactor8]

Exactly, any over 20 would say: children show.

[@helpyousleep7386]

i was blessed to of been 16 in 1990 as well. also lived right near the south mimms services....

[@bookerlee4752]

I was 22 and never missed this show

[@biggdogg99848]

Yip a was 16 as well at this time never missed it

And put black people in white rolls due to the cringe of middle class white people. This was back when it was natural, not a bunch of hipster twats making a big thing of it like they're the first non-racist whites. And no race baitor greivance mongers.

[@themcmanusgaming]

I'd go back to the 90s in a heartbeat. Everything back then was the best. Look at how things are now. And I hate hate. How relevant is this now. Take me back please.

[@paulamoah5124]

If you ever do manage to go back please take me with you lol

[@themcmanusgaming]

@@paulamoah5124 deal 🤣👍

[@Zlervo]

Take me back with you.

[@jfc4798]

Nostalgia isn't a healthy state. Be happy you're still around, plenty didn't make it.

[@SeattleSpursFan1882]

Bring it forth into the present moment and spread it with love to for everyone to see.

[@jdnlindo4168]

😢😢😢 I miss those days so much.

[@breakfreak3181]

Man, I used to watch this as a 12 / 13 year old. Two years later, 14 going on 15, I was going to my first raves. Some of the best times of my life. I bought 'Total Confusion' back then. There were a few good record shops in Peckham that did house and early breakbeat. I went down the Jungle / DnB path later....I'm still on it!!

[@michaeldebree4870]

I used to watch in the Netherlands.I was about 16 and we had bb 1 and bbc2. This was the best program EVER!!!!

[@craiger82]

Love Ur story mate, but did u have some of that wild Peckham spring water, that del boy used to sell? 🤣

[@guidelineuk]

Did you go to laser drome

[@2bees8378]

Jungle 4ever bro 🎉✌🏾

[@jnbeatnik]

Same age 🎉 same here, normski made me a raver

[@timthegallant]

It was great there was a show for us youngsters playing the music we loved sl2,ragga twins,bizarre inc.this was celebrating the birth of dance music in the uk.young then,mid forties now.

[@3000FAst]

Watching this in 2024 I thought normski was something I had just dreamt up😅 but I'm saved. He is real ❤❤❤

[@annother3350]

I'm sure he used to date Vanessa Feltz

[@AlexVegasUK]

@@annother3350 Janet Street Porter apparently!

[@annother3350]

@@AlexVegasUK Blimey, either one would be a handful

[@darktrain1971]

those chords when the rapper comes in on total confusion - goosebumps everytime..53 here and raving in my pyjamas with a cup of tea.

[@rayygun]

I know, incredible!

[@marcanthony520]

Yep the chord strings kill it !

[@bungle3912]

This used to be on at 6.30pm, not in the middle of the night. Can you imagine this on BBC2 at 6.30 now?

[@noiseworks]

state sponsored hedonism

[@tnt90s]

Haha! Not a bloody chance mate. Miss those days badly :-)

[@MikusMusik]

totally - respect to Janet Street Porter for getting Def II on the BBC - the best music programming theyve ever done..Snub TV, Rapido and Dance Energy

[@Kiltskills]

I just said the same thing.... I can't even imagine the BBC scheduling it or anything like it at any time. A quality show which was stylish, informative, underground and fun. TV is dying out for shows like this.

[@lostintranslation1957]

After Fresh Prince if I remember rightly. Then you j7mped over to C4 for 7:30 ish for Desmonds(probably one of the best shows on tv). Then Lenny Henry with Delbert Wilkins when he was funny and wasn't 'Woke'.

[@phoenixorion5427]

I really grew up in the best era.

[@bustamango863]

Same here I firmly believe I’ve experienced things at just the right time…..but seeing how the pyramids were built woulda been pretty cool too…but given the choice clubbing in the 90s wins, because after the pyramids were built I can imagine life was pretty boring

[@phoenixorion5427]

Yeah, I fear we were there for the last golden era, for sure, before things went south. No-one can ever take that away from us. Where's time gone? One minute you're a 90's a teenager and the next your kids are having kids. What a time to grow up tho. The free spirited nature of it all,, the culture, the unbelievable music, the optimism, the sense of togetherness. My sons are always saying how jealous they are of my era compared to theirs, and I make them right.

[@amplify3735]

me too

[@dangerousdazza]

Fact

[@brhodes0]

You grew up in 16th century Florence?

[@skeelo69]

Those in the know at the time watched this, plus Soul Train UK and Solid Soul, you ignored TOTP and you partied like its 1999.

[@JackAcid]

Homeboy, A Hippie, And a Funky Dred...oh my.life. How fucking ace is this after thirty fucking years?????!!!! A beautiful time in dance music when the hardcore sound was just emerging from acid and hip house. Just brilliant. Much LOVE TO YOU ALL WHO WERE THERE. XXX

[@bassbytes]

Ah yes great times, was 16 at the time, dance music the biggest influence and constant in my life ever since.

[@helpyousleep7386]

@@bassbytes troop trainers

[@happinesstan]

"Freedom"

[@cash4cat]

​@@helpyousleep7386Troop tracksuits?

[@chrisroutledge1086]

Good days man when tv was worth. Watching. Dance energy,rapido . Word The music was changing for the better. And the scene 89-93 🙌👊💊💊

[@thekeysman6760]

Def II on BBC2?

[@chrisroutledge1086]

@@thekeysman6760 Def 11 yeah man 👊

[@lucasm3879]

Generation pinger 😁✌️

[@warrenlondon2426]

NOTHING will beat this era! 😩🙌 Amazing memories ❤ Such good times 😊

[@leroyjnr21]

I lived for this every week. Had every show on VHS. BEST TIME TO BE ALIVE !!!!!!!

[@56postoffice]

I would've been around 21 when this was shown. This was part of a youth strand on BBC2, to which Janet Street-Porter was head of. "Yoof TV" as it was known. Not only that, she and Normski were an item.

[@patrizio7]

Yo yo yo yo yo Normski. Used to love watching this.

[@KOKINGWAYNE]

WOW Who’s watching this on Saturday the 28th of September, i left school in 1989 and the next decade was the best, i used to love watching this show. I hope Normski is still the fun living guy he was back then. There will Never be another decade like the 90’s. FACTS!

[@JackAcid]

Brilliant upload!!!! One of the most influential shows in my life. Knew aged 14 that I wanted to produce acid and rave music, let alone learn all the moves! Aahhh, take me baaaaaack....

[@milkyedmonds4150]

U know that... just wot I was saying...

[@lisabruce6685]

Came across this by chance and have no recollection of it whatsoever. Between 89-95 I was living in Manchester and was out 'dancing'

[@dzaxys4643]

I was 9 in 1990 I remember it well

[@redboyjan]

We recorded loads of stuff on VHS to watch when we got in from clubbing!

[@jfc4798]

It was on at 6 in the evening on a monday so you wouldn't have been in the clubs

[@redboyjan]

@@jfc4798 we didn't watch live TV, we were in the pub all day, it was affordable then to do that. VHS was handy to tape the few rare programs that were of any interest in that era

[@zigzung5569]

Was in the crowd for a couple of episodes of this show, was filmed in a warehouse in Battersea if i remember right. Was given tickets for this randomnly at a club in Hackney where i'm from cause i was a good dancer who dressed well back in the day.

[@acidphaze]

Dam! Danny Rampling on the decks. The Sound Of Shoom - I Hate Hate. What a song, how relevant is this today.

[@MrDaveya]

Home boy, hippy & a funky dread was ‘his’ group; he/they released a pukka track in ‘91/92. I’ll have to search for title but I recall it as a great track

[@Househead1200]

@@MrDaveya Total Confusion, Mr D?

[@swiftcee266]

No way? .....never knew that bruv.@@MrDaveya

[@lorjon68]

@@MrDaveya Have a word! Danny's group was 'Sound of Shoom'...the clue's in the title of the club he ran and the fact that he's dancing behind a keyboard on the show you just watched. Casper Pound was the Hippy in H,H and a FD and it was his group.

[@lorjon68]

@@swiftcee266 No way exactly.

[@DoloJones]

Didn’t realise until recently how formative this show was for my whole life. Like a curated KZbin playlist all in one show. So ahead of its time.

[@Onestepbeyond89]

Was the go to program back then 😎

[@thekeysman6760]

In English we write programme.

[@michellemitchell38mm]

Whoever uploaded this then thank God for you. I remember watching this back in the day. It was the best day of the week when this came on TV. I absolutely miss these days when people just wanted a good time without any drama. I love this and am here for it 🎉👍🏾🏆👏🏾

[@mrbigdiscoparty4671]

P H A T ... so good to remind me how exciting these times were

[@dreddykrugernew]

What happened is without the internet styles are allowed to evolve into something new. Thats why since the creation of the internet we havent had a total new genre of music created, its just turned into one big huge blur where nothing is able to evolve and become unique in its own right...

[@BWall-h4d]

Very good point

[@emmabrooker166]

And in the UK the job centre will force you to work in Starbucks instead of developing your music / art skills

[@Paulinni]

Love this, I totally agree

[@ramuhchoramuhcho4591]

I remember recording Wash Your Face in my sink by the Dream Warriors off this show!! I only used to watch the beginning of the show after The Fresh Prince

[@SilvaBlakk]

This was my childhood right here!!! Soooo glad I grew up in this era...The Word was another standout show representing and showcasing (rap) groups and artists that wouldn't be featured on mainstream shows...If I could go back in time I'd go back to the 90s and smash the machine up!!...

[@carlwallace7157]

Absolutely essential viewing back in the day 👊

[@alexmccallum5570]

More please Robin. I was 12 when this was on the telly and I remember that late 80's early 90's culture so fondly. Normski is a vastly underrated UK cultural icon.

[@papanoel3999]

I was 14 in 1990,and I always watched dance nrg, always. Thank you for uploading this little piece of TV gold, and it was only like a few weeks bk that I was talking to a mate of mine, reminiscing about this.

[@MUSICLOVER72]

Great programme, great series, great memories, and great time to be alive. PLUR 👊

[@thefog7067]

"You may be black, you may be white, you may be Jew or Gentile, It don't make a difference in our house"

[@Laura-sg6ss]

Yeah... in society it matters tho. And people demonstrate it in their own ways. This is a cop out sentence, and it doesn't prepare you for real life (if you even experience racism)

[@thefog7067]

Your comment makes no sense! The song I took the line from has nothing to do with racism nor is it trying to prepare you for "real life". The line that song was taken from was from a time when things were different and people in general were different which are the type of people described in the song and the message it was trying to send. It didn't make a difference where you were from, what you looked like or the colour of your skin ect, because everyone was viewed as the same and treated equally. That was the true message of this (at the time) new music

[@aclubcalledRAGE]

@@thefog7067 It didn't matter. Asking strangers -where you from how you doing? In clubs, tents and fields. People who weren't there will never understand. They may read about it or see it on tv or hear about it, but they'll never 'get-it'.

[@redboyjan]

It was that way. Summer of love and all. One people

[@daniellencooper7922]

@@Laura-sg6ss It's probably the most famous line from an old school house track, ever. The people making house music back then certainly experienced racism, and often homophobia too. But this was still the message of the music. To make a space for love is a revolutionary act in a world filled with hate. It's good to be conscious of social injustice, but consciousness shouldn't stop us embracing moments of joy and togetherness. Those moments give people strength to go on doing the work

[@thecardude762]

Taught me so many dance moves that I still use today 😅

[@swiftcee266]

Yes Bredda......lets have a dance battle!!!

[@Sobig315-k7k]

0 m g ...😮😢😢😢please take me back in a time machine now..-

[@Ashfaq1999]

Great pioneering dance music programme 👊

[@djMDA]

BBC 2 6.oclock.....cant forget it..feel old now.....

[@milkyedmonds4150]

Dance energy contributed to alot of us "as english" to progress when we was still in the latter of what america had to offer... we lapped it up, and respect to dance energy for being one of the first. God bless normski.... 😂 blessya mate....

[@thekeysman6760]

A lot*, two words. Alot isn't a word. 'As English' in inverted commas implying so-called or supposedly, not quotation marks quoting someone. 🕊️💜

[@giuseppe397]

Dee cee lee is fit. She was fit on the Guru track "No time to play".

[@Househead1200]

A great time to be 17. Where I'm from we never had the fashions, decks and records though!

[@rallyburnz2simracing416]

I watched this as a kid...man the memories...thanks for upload

[@DsignMediaUK]

This was one of my favourites. What a show this was.

[@davidb6681]

What a blast from the past!

[@rb7007]

Such a brilliant upload! So Nostalgic! Loved the 90s! 😎🔥💃

[@NevasoftHQ]

HHFD - Total Confusion 🤯… EPIC TUNE 👍

[@onpoint357]

One of the best tv music shows EVER!!!!!!

[@JLF74uk05]

Nice one for uploading. Loves this in the 90s. Total confusion absolute tune.

[@fionag.3621]

Thank you for this! One of my favourite ever TV shows...

[@Smiff74]

I used to love watching this on a Monday evening.

[@MatthewPearson-u4h]

Thanks for sharing! Where are L.A. Gear now! My family used to have a Hip Hop Sports shop Troop, SPX, BK's, Ewings, Caterpillar, Champion, Travel Fox & Fila all did well for us.

[@AC_Milan1899]

Man those names....... Good times.

[@jfc4798]

SUprisingly LA Gear are still around. If you had kept a bit of the stuff you would be sitting on a goldmine now.

[@psvhangoveral]

There are some cool cats in that crowd

[@gubilasco9022]

I used to VHS record most of these episodes, still have 'em somewhere

[@greycounciller]

He used to live down the road from me, hung out as kids....and that first act, they went to my school as well.

[@criticalmass3829]

Just wonderful.

[@wandererkenshin7557]

Used to watch this back in the day.

[@conradtwonine9414]

"I think it's time to make the floor burn" and so it happened in clubs everywhere... and no, nobody was pulling out their stupid phones to record, people were actually dancing all night long... good times!

[@agfagaevart]

Kid & Play

[@jfc4798]

If we had phones then most of us would have be doing the same thing.

[@RickySpanish-t6t]

😂 My main man Norman I had lot of time for him back in the early 90's while working for HHC.. good lad.

[@thekeysman6760]

90s*, no apostrophe saying 90 is. Nineties has no apostrophe 🕊️

[@RickySpanish-t6t]

@@thekeysman6760 I stand corrected said the man in the orthopedic shoes...

[@thekeysman6760]

@@RickySpanish-t6t Hey, I did live sound for Alison Limerick who was #1 of their supposed chart on this programme here. Was probably in 1991 though.

[@1979Frankyboy]

Loved this show

[@mfdacreator]

mad content from back then, great times man

[@kellyhawkes3191]

Blessed times in the UK. X

[@mw01908]

I vaguely remember this show. But why did it take me 5 years to find this on YT. It's impressive how the UK had a healthy dance scene in 1990 that Americans did not get until 20 years later

[@myxanoz9742]

I've never seen this before. Thanks a lot!

[@THEE4DARKESTCORNERZ23]

This is why I loved this show so much. I was raving all the weekend and then tune into this rather than TOTP... The camera shots brought the whole people together. Music Artists and the Ravers ❤

[@scribbleface]

this is golden!

[@Flint_Westwood]

HHFD were awesome. That track still stands up today. I look back at those days with fond memories and can't help thinking that we've somehow lost our way. Glad I was there to witness it.

[@jfanningnnnn]

Also adding my love for uplaoding this... I didn't know the show back in the day as I was in the US and back then, foreign TV remained foreign. Utterly love this show...!!!!!!

[@tommytucker3648]

Used to love this show. My Mum would join me and get down and boogie...my Dad would swear at the telly say it sounded like a demonic posession and go to the publ 😂

[@Alison-LoveAndUnity]

Remember that Show Behind thr Beat too ❤

[@jfc4798]

Little bit earlier started in 1988.

[@tonyhancock3912]

Try to make this show today and there'd be a carve up on the dancefloor within the first 5 minutes 🤣

[@nebberington]

Nice little appearance from the Planet Core Productions boys

[@MrResearcher122]

We dressed better in the 90s than today!

[@kumachan9311]

RESPECT EVERY TIME

[@Vivi-dh3fx]

Yeah so much memories ❤

[@nathong3229]

My ambition as a kid watching this was to one day be a studio dancer - I thought they were so cool :)

[@hamsticklehq]

wonderful upload, thank you!

[@RunOfTheHind]

Ha. I remember the 3 months that LA Gear were in fashion here. Shortly before Ewing 33s...

[@olatron]

Or BK Ambassadors? 😂

[@AA-gx4ok]

awesome !! thanks for putting this up !

[@YaxkinRetrodisko]

Im 47. as a Dj and music producer this is the kind of shows that i would love to have in my "teen's" Now i realize that i was not lost on my music influences. in Mexico we never used to have those kind of exposure on tv kust mags. the UK scene is no doubt unique

[@benrobertsuk]

Viva la Mexico!😊 UK🇬🇧

[@fd5927]

Yeah ❤❤❤❤ Memories ..... Damn ..... what a time ..... DEF II. Normski ... Dance Energy .... an old white dude here .... why I'm "Proud" to be BRITISH in 2024. Such happy memories back then.

[@benitolazio8193]

You think you are part of their culture ? Hilarious

[@fd5927]

@benitolazio8193 "their culture" please explain "their". That sounds a bit offensive, to be honest. Hilariously sad.

[@Nii1978]

@@fd5927he wouldn’t understand, it was an inner city/working class thing regardless of race

[@jfc4798]

@@fd5927 ignore him, just a little racist troll. Jealous that he could never be part of the scene.

[@fd5927]

​@@jfc4798❤

[@frankieaglow]

a panoply of peoples black, white, brown expressing themselves as one! PLUR

[@lauraclark5818]

I love this! !!!! Thanks for sharing. Xx

[@ForestFan74]

Brilliant!

[@dzaxys4643]

Flashbacks awesome ✌️👍🏻

[@Gunnercv]

I miss this era a lot

[@PaulBeckett01Rigs]

Baby face Sven Vath before he transformed into a techno warlock and took over the World. Homeboy, a Hippie, and a Funkty Dredd has aged so well - still absolutely kicks like a mule

[@THEE4DARKESTCORNERZ23]

The instrumental of Johnny the fox by mantronix with the skateboarding vid is brilliant

[@biggdogg99848]

What a throwback class 👏

[@Arrian1111]

Great memories of this era ... juxtaposed with my own two left feet scenario! I'm in total awe of that girl in the cap.

[@sd-11-11-sd]

Forgot about this. A much purer time.

[@JamesConstableDeadly]

anyone else capturing the top 10 and youtubeing these tracks ? or at least the ones you dont know..?

[@172Break]

HHFD - still sounding amazing!

[@ivysdadd]

Total confusion epitomises the almost ominous sound of the rave. A beautiful, haunting piece of music that was one of a few from this moment in time. The Scientist with The Bee and The Exorcist, Moving Shadow with Bass n Buzz Headfunk remix and of course Mr Kirk’s Nightmare come to mind. They were the dark, demonic sound of 1990 that paved the way for the start of the mental era of 1990-92. Mid 92 it had kind of peaked and diverted to jungle, hardcore, techno, gabber and industrial. These tracks were pioneering and whilst they may sound a bit less powerful today, at the time they were entirely otherworldly and unknowingly forever cool to the few who were there living every beat. Edited because it would be unfair to leave out Shut Up and Dance with so many dark pioneering tracks especially Tablet Man and Renegade Sounwave, the Phantom, truly dark and unreal with the 40k bass bins vibrating through thousands in strobes smoke lasers and pills. So many to mention. Such a unique time.

[@cliffyfromboro]

How have I only just learned of this?!!

[@adamsmith7058]

Homeboy, A Hippie, And a Funky Dred, ha ha used to know those boys. Ended up here totally at random. Was not expecting to see this. Seems like a different world, though oddly the same. Many of the artistic gestures our generation made are still prevalent today, with a little evolution of course.

[@italodiscorevival]

16.40 - Demonstrated the shift around 1990/1 where the Chicago house style was starting to morph in to more of a garage-new York Italian direction.

[@lorjon68]

Actually more demonstrative of the UK House scene merging with Acid Jazz.