Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 16, 2026

Reactivate

The Reactivate series was a compilation album series known for pioneering electronic techno and trance music. With 18 releases, and a number of best-of compilations, the series has achieved both chart success and over a million record sales. The albums were published by UK-based React Music over a 24-year period starting from 1991. The Reactivate sound has been reported as significant in the international rave music scene.

Last revised
Jul 16, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
Length
966 w
Citations
31
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Reactivate
source ↗
Compilation album by
various artists
Released1991–2015
Genretrance, techno
LabelReact Music Limited, Resist Music

The Reactivate series was a compilation album series known for pioneering electronic techno and trance music. With 18 releases, and a number of best-of compilations, the series has achieved both chart success and over a million record sales. The albums were published by UK-based React Music over a 24-year period starting from 1991. The Reactivate sound has been reported as significant in the international rave music scene.12

History

The first in the series, Reactivate Volume #1 - The Belgian Techno Anthems, was launched by James Horrocks in 1991. Horrocks and React published the series to capture the music typically heard on club nights, and distribute hard to get European rave and techno music.134 Artists that have been featured in the series include E-Trax, Armin Van Buuren, Mrs Wood, Push, Sven Vath, BBE, GTO, John '00' Fleming, Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Jam & Spoon, and Tony De Vit.156

Volumes 8, 9, 10, and 12 were compiled by DJ and producer Blu Peter, with volume 10 in particular achieving renown for creating the "Reactivate 10 Generation".7 Volume 18 of the series was mixed by Darren Pearce.8 In 2015 the best-of compilation, Reactivate 91-01 mixed by Rachel Auburn, was released to positive critical reception with one reviewer stating that, for React, it was "by far their best compilation".5910 In 2023 Reactivate was reported as "back on the dancefloor" with the launch of a new clubwear fashion range that capitalised on the novel artwork used for the album covers.16

Series overview

Reactivate releases
Title Artist Year Peak
UK Comp
Reactivate 1 - The Belgian Techno Anthems3 Various 1991
Reactivate 9 - Razorsharp beats+bytes11 Various 1994 23
Reactivate 10 - Snappy Cracklepop Techno12 Various 1995 14
Reactivate 11 - Stinger beats and Techno13 Various 1996 14
Reactivate 12 - Pulsing Sub-Aqua Vibrations & Thumping Jello Beats14 Various 1997 17
Reactivate 13 - Beats, Chance & Liquid Trance15 Various 1998 44
Reactivate 14 - Larry The Lobster's Trancetastic Pot Boilers16 Various 1999 30
Reactivate Classics17 Various 1998 26
Reactivate 15 - Harry The Hammerhead's Pounding Trance Jawbreakers18 Various 1999 37
Best of Reactivate19 Various 2000 24
Reactivate 1620 Various 2000 29
Reactivate 1721 Various 2000 32
Reactivate 1822 Various 2001 58
Best of Reactivate 223 Various 2001 37
Reactivate Energize24 Various 2002 84
Reactivate ’91 – ‘015 Various 2015
See also

See also

References

References

  1. "REACTIVATE BACK ON THE DANCEFLOOR". DMC World. 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  2. "Reactivate Rave". Resident Advisor. 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024. Reactivate was one of the most Internationally successful dance album compilations Ever, pioneering European techno, trance and hard dance for more than a decade. The series ran for 18 albums and there were 3 Best Of's and a separate Mix series. It's sound was huge on the underground scene, rave scene, club scene and gay scene where it became the soundtrack of no-sleep London. Polysexual, old skool, bangin', bouncin', bumpin...this event is October's no sleep rave for the capital.
  3. "Reactivate Volume #1 - The Belgian Techno Anthems". MusicBrainz. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  4. The encyclopedia of popular music. Oxford University Press. 2006. p. 797. ISBN 9780195313734.
  5. Pell, Damion (28 October 2015). "Relive your raving days from 91 – 2001 with the seminal brand Reactivate featuring Jam & Spoon, Jones & Stephenson, John '00' Fleming, The Age Of Love and more". Decoded Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  6. "Reactivate is back with a new club wear range". Decoded Magazine. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  7. "Reactive the Rave!". BOYZ. No. 996. 2010. p. 22. Retrieved 11 February 2024. A pioneer of what became known as the nuenergy sound, Peter compiled volumes 8, 9, 10 and 12 of the Reactivate series, with volume 10 spawning the Reactivate 10 Generation still talked about today
  8. "VARIOUS: Reactivate 18". Music Week. 23 June 2001. Gale A76708864.
  9. Todd, Chris (23 November 2015). ""Reactivate Classics '91 - '01"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 30 December 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  10. McMonagle, Mickey (29 November 2015). "REACTIVATE THE YEARS 91-01: ALBUM". Sunday Mail. ProQuest 1737064577. Mixed by Rachel Auburn, it's a work of art - proper dance music. Buy it.
  11. "Reactivate 9". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  12. "Reactivate 10". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  13. "REACTIVATE 11 - STINGER BEATS & TECHNO". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  14. "Reactivate 12". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  15. "Reactivate 13". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  16. "REACTIVATE 14". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  17. "Reactivate Classics". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  18. "Reactivate 15". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  19. "BEST OF REACTIVATE". Official Charts Company.
  20. "Reactivate 16". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  21. "Reactivate 17". Official Charts Company.
  22. "Reactivate 18". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  23. "BEST OF REACTIVATE 2". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  24. "REACTIVATE ENERGIZE – VARIOUS ARTISTS - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
External links