Deep Groove Encyclopedia

Hot Mix 5

Click below for a Hot Mix 5 sample:

Mickey Oliver from May 1986

Remember back in the day when radio DJs actually meant something to the community, were able to expose people to new music? No better example of the power of a real radio jock exists than of the Hot Mix 5. This collective of spinners - Kenny "Jammin'" Jason, Scott "Smokin'" Seals, Ralphi Rosario, Farley "Jackmaster" Funk and Mickey "Mixin'" Oliver - were instrumental in defining house music from their base at Chicago's WBMX 102.7 FM station in the early 80s. Their diverse makeup - 2 white guys, a Latino, one African-American and a Jewish cat - seemingly predicted house's conquering of ethnic/racial barriers in the name of quality music.

Because of their high profile and creative freedom, they quickly became the outlet for the developing style. Today, their mixes still conjure up teary memories from the lucky few who were able to hear them on a regular basis. They started their own label where they all released tracks, but Rosario and Farley went on to the most distinguished careers as recording artists and producers. By the middle of the 80s, the group started to fracture due to personality conflicts and ego, and a line of replacment DJs also came to be affiliated with the Hot Mix 5. Regardless, the legacy of the original Hot Mix 5 will forever live on in the minds of house fans.

There is an interesting history of the original Hot Mix 5 here.

There is also a semi-official site here.

Hot Mix 5's Deepest Grooves

Best of Hot Mix 5 (Hot Mix, 1988)
Highlights are Ralphi Rosario's "You Used to Hold Me," Mickey Oliver's "In-ten-si-t" and "Don't You Want It" from Kenny Jason.