I remember the Summer of 1990 well for many different reasons. The World Cup for one. The memorable tears of England’s Paul Gascoigne after he received a booking. Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who came out of retirement for the World Cup, became an international superstar at age 38, long after most top-level footballers typically retire. Chris Waddle. Stuart Pearce.

In Pearce’s case it was bad luck. Bodo Illgner, the German goalkeeper, dived the wrong way. He didn’t save the ball. The ball, which hit his flailing leg, saved him.

With Waddle you could say that it was bad aim, except that would suggest that he took aim. He didn’t. After a Brett Lee-style run-up, he belted his shot in the general direction of the goal.

I thought, if [Illgner] does get anything on it,’ explained Waddle, ‘it will still go in.’

Illgner never got the chance because the ball went in the general direction of the stadium roof.

What’s all this got to do with music and the mix below? Italy. And the music that was being produced around that time. Whilst Italia ‘90 was lacking in inspiration, and turned out to be dull and lifeless the music was completely the opposite. A Saturday night out involved hearing those records that made you reach out and grab the person next to you and smile uncontrollably at the crescendo of a piano.

I’ve put together some of my favourite records from around that time, before and after. There are 21 tracks in 74 minutes. I haven’t played some of these records for years and putting them together wasn’t as straight forward as it is today. You had to orchestrate the music back then and know your records inside out. Sure you can say the same about DJing today, though I don’t remember any 32 bar minimal breaks back then.

Download and see how many of these you remember. Let me know what you think by leaving your comments below.

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