Legendary DJ/producer Josh Wink is marking a major milestone in 2025—the 30th anniversary of three of his most defining tracks: “Don’t Laugh,” “I’m Ready,” and the genre-shifting acid techno anthem “Higher State of Consciousness.” In celebration, Wink has launched a new archival mix series, “Found Sounds,” exclusively on Apple Music, with its debut installment featuring a rare, full-length live set recorded at Twilo on July 24, 1998.
These three seminal releases, all from 1995, reshaped the sound and scope of electronic music:
- “Don’t Laugh” (released under Wink’s Winx alias) became an underground techno oddity known for its hypnotic, acid-tinged minimalism and maniacal vocal loop—an enduring fixture in European acid techno sets.
- “I’m Ready” brought sample-heavy, disco-infused techno energy to the dance floor, bridging the raw funk of the past with the future-forward pulse of ‘90s rave.
- “Higher State of Consciousness” broke boundaries worldwide with its squelching acid lines and euphoric structure, catapulting Wink into the global spotlight while maintaining his underground credibility.
These tracks didn’t just dominate dance floors—they redefined what electronic music could be, influencing a generation of artists including Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, Honey Dijon, Peggy Gou, Reinier Zonneveld, Carlita, Dax J, and TSHA.
To honor their legacy, Wink’s Found Sounds series promises a deep dive into his vast archive of unreleased recordings, forgotten gems, and historic live performances. The first release, his Twilo 1998 set, offers a time-capsule view into late-‘90s underground club culture at its peak.
“Twilo became an international club institution in the 1990s,” says Wink. “It felt like home to me—a place where I could fully embody entertainer and educator. What I loved most was watching the crowd respond—an ocean of bodies ebbing and flowing to the beat, eyes closed, mentally swimming through my selections.”
That night’s set reflects Wink’s ability to transcend genre: from dystopian electro via Anthony Rother, hypnotic minimal techno like Teste’s “The Wipe (3AM Dub)”, and industrial UK techno from James Ruskin and Surgeon, to deep, melodic techno via Funk D’Void and psychedelic house from Orlando Voorn. A mid-set detour into intelligent drum & bass features Optical’s rework of Wink’s own “Simple Man,” alongside emotional rollers from Omni Trio, Seba, and Aquasky. The Rurals’ deep house groove provides a moment of warmth before Wink reclaims the dance floor with “Higher State of Consciousness,” closing the set with the nostalgic “Back In The Day.”
Engineered on Twilo’s legendary Phazon sound system by Steve Dash, the recording showcases a golden era of dance music—when marathon sets ruled and genre lines blurred in the pursuit of sonic exploration.
The Twilo 1998 set is now streaming on Apple Music, with more chapters of Found Sounds rolling out through 2025. For fans and historians alike, this series offers an intimate look at the evolution of one of dance music’s most fearless innovators.
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