DJ Dara (né Darragh Guilfoyle) should be a familiar name to anyone who’s been into DnB for a while. Originally from Ireland, he emigrated to New York just as the beats were starting to roll, and after making a name for himself in the emerging arena of jungle/drum’n'bass, he started one of the genre’s seminal labels and record shops — Breakbeat Science. Through the label and his own productions and DJ sets, he’s been a pioneer and essential element in the development of DnB as we know it today.

And holy carp, here’s a digitized version of an old mixtape of his from 1997! In some ways it’s crazy old school, but it really showcases Dara as a visionary as well, because it still sounds fresh and solid. And we got both sides of the tape here for ya!

So for those who enjoy a bit of roll n skitter…here we go:

DJ Dara - Beats 97 Side A (right click and Save As.. to download!)

DJ Dara - Beats 97 Side B (right click and Save As.. to download!)

Tracklist after the jump!

Here are the tracks on this mix…crazy enough to find a rockin classic set, but with an actual setlist? zomg!

DJ Dara - Beats 97 - 1997 - Side A

Jonny L - Treading - Xl
Skynet – Hal – Audio Blueprint
DJ SS - Red Remix - Formation
Special K - Pressure Roll – Proper Talent
Swoosh - Ya Rockin – Back 2 Basics
Ganja Kru - Plague That Never Ends - Parousia
IQ Collective - Mode One Remix - TOV
Outlaw - Break It Down – 24 Karat
Special K - Knowledge - Proper Talent
DJ Mace - Reminiscence - Mix N Blend
Capone - Paradise – Hard Leaders
Reprazent - Brown Paper Bag – Talking Loud
DJ Krust - Warhead - V
Unknown - Rap01 - Unknown
Undercover Agent - Five Tones - Juice
Exocet - Demonseed – Dirty Mac

DJ Dara - Beats 97 - 1997 - Side B

Ed Rush & Nico - Torque – No U Turn
Bill Laswell - Oscillations (Nico Remix) – Sub Rosa
Havok - Depth Charge – 24 Karat
Eskovah - Night & Day - Colourstone
Hopa & Bones - Dragons Fist – True Playaz
DJ Hype - Peace, Love & Unity Remix – True Playaz
DJ SS - Gold Remix - Formation
DJ SS - Platinum - Formation
DJ Kane - System – Renegade Hardware
Nasty Habits - Shadowboxing Remix – 31 Records
Dom & Current Affairs - Drones – Moving Shadow
Adam F - Circles Remix – Section 5
Reprazent - Western – Talking Loud
Decoder - Circuit Breaker Remix – Tech Itch
Dillinja - Light Years - Prototype