Hi Times emerged from the vibrant UK underground electronic music scene of the mid-1990s, a period when garage and house influences were colliding to create something entirely new and exciting. The project captured the raw energy and experimental spirit that defined British electronic music during this era, when producers were unafraid to blend disparate genres and push sonic boundaries.
Feel It, released in 1996 on the Underground Classics label, stands as a testament to this creative explosion. The single showcases the Hi Times project at a pivotal moment when UK garage was beginning to establish itself as a dominant force in club culture. The release consists of four tracks spread across the 12-inch format, demonstrating the kind of thoughtful, multi-faceted approach to singles that characterized the best releases from this period.
The A-side presents two interpretations of "Feel It," with the Full On Mix serving as the primary version, delivering driving beats and propulsive energy designed for the dancefloor. The Red Eye Version on the flip side offers an alternative take, suggesting depth beyond a simple one-track wonder. "Journey Into Jazz," nestled between these variations, reveals Hi Times' willingness to explore melodic and harmonic territory, injecting jazz sensibilities into the electronic framework.
Completing the package, "Red Eye Beats" rounds out the tracklist with another rhythmic exploration. For vinyl collectors interested in UK garage's formative years, this Underground Classics release represents an essential artifact of 1990s underground electronic music, capturing both the commercial club appeal and experimental edge that defined the era.
