I9 - JEFF MILLS 2025 VERSION

Nothing marks the mid-1990s more than this track "i9". Not because it was very popular, but mainly because of why the track was created in the first place. In 1995, Techno Music was still growing. Still introducing itself to new listeners around the World. It was just beginning to shake away its maternal connection to Rave Culture which began about 10 years earlier to have its own distinct characteristics. But as Rave had mainly entrenched itself in certain countries around Europe like the UK, Belgium and Holland, by 1995, all of Europe and now the Americas was blazing hot for this style of Techno Music. It was intense, we were intense. And the music we were making to be played was relentless.

By that time, the fluffy, happy go-lucky 4/4 beats of the mid 1980s were transformedinto noise-bleeding jack-hammers. Specially designed to infiltrate brains and to leave to prisoners alive. It was the dark matter we all were waiting for. The substance we needed to have. And with this special substance came incredible parties and events. DJs would strategically filled their heavy vinyl record boxes like they're going on a African Safari, with ammunition that would test any sound system. For that night at the Liquid Room in Tokyo, I knew I needed to have something that would end any question of whether Techno Music had arrived. I wanted to have something that marked the end and the beginning of something else. A new way to think about dance music.

That something else was called "i9".

This limited-edition unreleased version of "i9' is a new 2025 remix by Jeff Mills of the original tracks that marks the beginning of the 30-year anniversary of "Jeff Mills: Live At Liquid Room" Mix CD, where the first time"i9" was ever played. Not even pressed to vinyl yet, Mills played by the way of a 10" reel-to-reel tape player during his set. This release is the first element from a forthcoming re-release of the Mix CD as well as more anniversary facets.

- Jeff Mills