Since 1990 Nicole Maalste had been studying drug use and drug cultures in the Netherlands. In 1995 she started a project, subsidized by the Ministry of Health, that would monitor "risky behavior" and drug use at raves. The study found that one-third of partygoers have felt ill at raves but only 10% actually sought out first aid which was typically provided at most large scale events. As raves continued to become more popular these facts were mirrored across the world.
In 1997 a drug monitoring system reported that the ecstacy market had become polluted as chemists began using other drugs in the pill make-up, but selling them as pure MDMA. Such things had been seen in the past but with raves continuing to make an upswing the total number of partygoers using ecstacy was on the rise, creating a growing number of pill mishaps. That same year a magazine called NewScientist published as article that started out by saying "Panic reigns. Fear overwhelms logical thought. Pointless activity replaces reason, and sensible advice is no longer heard." The article actually did not scrutinize the use of ecstacy but called more intense studies to action so that the public can become more informed about it's effects. The article also called for organizations to honestly present the forthcoming information.
Fastforward to February 1999. An organization called DanceSafe was founded by Emanuel Sferios. DanceSafe became a self-described harm reduction organization that promoted health and safety within the rave and nightclub community. The nonprofit group began sending volunteers to raves to test pills that users believed to be Ecstacy. The group was under immediate scutiny because the testers would hand the pills back to the individual. Approximately 28 chapters were established around the country, some operating under different names such as FLOWER in Pittsburgh.
In an ABC News chat transcript DEA representative, Steve Casteel, and DanceSafe founder Emanuel Sferios were questioned on many aspects of their work. When asked if he has ever been to a rave, Steve Casteel replied that he had been in attendane at events as an attempt to get a feel for what was going on with the ecstacy culture. The DEA representative reported that earlier in the 90's ecstacy seizures were relatively small but nearing the latter portion of the decade the number had grown to the millions.
Rewind back to 1997. Global Underground was reflecting the performances of high profile DJs in venues from around the world. The first five installments of the series was recorded in their perspective clubs. The original was mixed by Tony De Vit in Tel Aviv and released in November of 1996. The second installment was never released. By March of 1997 the third installment featured Nick Warren live in Prague.
Nick Warren also became a part of the group called Echo which soon changed their name to Way Out West. Their debut was also in 1997 with an ablum that spawned singles "Blue," "Domination," "Ajare," and the UK top 15 hit "The Gift."
In the early nineties, ravers found their information through online email networks. The most notable were PB-Cle, SFRaves, SoCal-Raves and DC-Raves. A member of MTN-Raves named Sarah Gianetto built the AZ-Raves website when the MTN-Raves mailing list seemed to be growing overpopulated. In the summer of 1997 she helped form a booking management company and record label with DJ Inertia. Their first release was "Time" by The Dream Traveler, which had become an international hit and was chosen as the opening track for Paul Oakenfold's legendary "Tranceport" compilation. The same song was illegally used for the production of Britney Spears: Live In Hawaii.
This mix represents some of the underground progressive house that was produced in the 1997 era. Some names in the credits that are worth noting are Peter Presta, John Digweed, Victor Calderone, Way Out West and Noel Sanger.
Aleem - We Try To Do Our Best
Tipple - The Drift
DJ Gordon - Moonshine Boogie
Victor Calderone - Price Of Love
BBC Click - I'll Do 4 U (Peter Presta Remix)
Chupher - Funk 2 Nite
Freespirit - Twilight
Clanger - Seadog (Way Out West Remix)
Chakra - I Am (John Digweed Remix)
Noel Sanger - All We Are (1997 Mix)
