Episode 83: The Feel Sessions 083: Live At The Spirit Utopia Celebration (240404)

Think back to some of your most cherished and fondest memories. 
Take a moment.

Where were you?  Who was there?  What were the sights, sounds, and smells?

We all have them… special memories that shaped who we were, and who we were to become, especially in our twenties, probably the most formative of years.  
For so many, including myself, some of the most treasured memories are those of Utopia.

In the spring of 1996, a unique conjunction took place… 
An alignment of time, space, and people, that would create a movement that broke the mold.  
A movement based on love, spirituality, and equality… grounded in music, and imbued with endless positivity that would eventually transcend space and time.

Without question, these were the times of our lives…
A spiritual awakening for many, and a coming of age.

However, after an amazing four year run, it didn’t really have an ending… there was never a concrete conclusion or resolution, a final scene if you will.  It just faded away… dissolved… 
and many of us simply drifted apart to follow our own paths.
Sure, it evolved and transformed gradually over those years, transitioning from Utopia to Club Utopia, but regardless of how much of a contrast there was from the start to the finish, the spirit was always there, an essence that continues to live on as a flame of inspiration in all of us.  

There’s so much to be said about this topic, but if you know, you know, and if you were there, you were a part of something truly magical that brought so many people together.

A few weeks ago, another alignment took place that sparked a reunion with the founders and some of the central figures involved in Utopia, some of which hadn’t seen each other in over 20 years.  The catalyst for this was to celebrate Guylene’s 50th birthday, one of the original flower girls, and a core member of the family.  Gino and Yvonne, Vickie & Miguel, Mike, Matthew, David, Kimberley, Leslie, Michelle, Dana,Dario, Doug, and myself, as well as many of the extended family of club goers were in attendance, and yes, emotions ran high and there were tears of joy.

It’s hard to find the words to fully describe all the love I felt from seeing you all again, with so many fond memories and positive emotions coursing through my being of all the beautiful souls that I’ve been blessed to have had such special times with… experiences old and new that I will always cherish as the best of times. 
Tears roll as I feel so much joy as well as regret for not keeping you all in my life for so long, but I know that’s about to change. 
It’s amazing to reflect upon the fact that something we were a part of so long ago eternally cements us together in a bond that transcends space and time. 
I love you all so very much, and I’m endlessly grateful for such a wonderful week. 

So, this is the set I played, featuring mostly classics and remixes from that era, especially breaks, cause we all know that Guylene loves breaks… but so do I.

On deck, 
BT, Azzido da Bass, Electroliners, Basement Jaxx, Three Drives on a Vinyl, DJ Jean, Brainbug, Plastikman, Dario G, Green Velvet, Uberzone, and Sarah McLachlan.  

What you’ll hear in the beginning is the original recording from a video of Guylene portraying “Spirit Utopia” that played during one of those epic nights.  It’s a fascinating window that reveals what it was like back then, and what the creative visionary forces were all about.

Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you all find some joy and inspiration.