aug 3, 1999

GOA '99

taken from: Dream Creation Magazine, issue 24 june/july 1999

text: Marz

The Goa season started with full power spirit. Parties nearly every night, with many different locations, new and old friends appearing daily. I was finding it hard to find time to sleep amongst this busy schedule. I found myself contacting friends from my home town, saying "get out here now - it&rsquos the best seasons for years, it&rsquos all gone off out here." Then slowly but surely the location&rsquos started narrowing down to just Disco Valley, Bamboo Forest and Paradiso. Then by mid February it was only Bamboo forest and Paradiso. Bamboo Forest had been used so much that it was starting to get walled in by tissue paper and brown stuff. The smell was not mixing too well with the morning music. Then the worst happened all the outside parities were banned. Because of many reasons some rumours some real. Coconut Grove at the end of February was the last party. Then Paradiso was the only party location for a month after this, with the walled off area with guards on gate and same decor. Did not quite give it that element of surprise that few outside parties give with their unique backdrops, decor and setting. Also the locals interacting with the chai stalls & dash selling food and drinks etc; spreading the wealth evenly rather than to one rich person. I hope Goa is not turning into a fixed nightclub situation like many places in Europe. These free parties on the beach, hill top, jungle etc, when organised by respectful people leave no trace or complaint, but give people some real hope of world peace and harmony.

The music, in my view, this season seemed old and stale &ndash mainly because many top trance DJs arrived in Goa with much new sounds but were unable to play it due to the speaker ban and they went back home with their new sets. Many new DJs appeared on the scene wit their mini discs with music that had been recorded from a friend who recorded it from another friend &ndash this compresses the music and loses the depth and quality. Digital and master copy recordings are best. Saying this my faith in trance music was restored when a handful of DJs expanded my consciousness to new levels creating new musical possibilities and dance patterns for us to enjoy.

This season the party people seemed much friendlier and together than before. Also this season I&rsquove seen some amazing dancers &ndash I&rsquom sure a deaf person watching these dancers would almost hear the music through their expressive dancing. I think the party people are keen and ready. It&rsquos a shame Goa was a bit flat this year, but we all talked of future events and made connections so Europe this summer could explode with many gatherings. Also Goa next year will be back to nor ersquo as it&rsquos Goa 2000 tourist year! So keep the faith, colours and smiles. One love to all.

16 year old Dj Jonas