Max Mix — The first spanish Megamix
In 1985 the record label Max Music organized a contest to find the most creative and skilled djs. The winners were Javier Ussia and Mike Platinas and they mixed the first Max Mix volume.
Max Mix introduced the concept of “Megamix” to refer to these musical mixes. The recording process was done in a DIY way, the effects were made by cutting and splicing tape, so the elaboration was completely handmade.
The cover of their first volume included an illustration by Xavier Aymar, who also worked as a partner with Ussia and Platinas. The cover shows the two djs in the dj booth with the crowd behind. The album was a sales success, and 6 months later its second volume was released.
Volume 2 far surpassed its predecessor, both technically and artistically, since, as its authors commented in an interview years later, the record company allowed more creative freedom than with the first volume. In this sequel, you can see much more elaborate effects and more than 620 cuts.
Xavier Aymar worked this time with an airbrush for the main illustration and worked alongside Xavi Figueras in the creating of the iconic lettering for the logo. After the 2nd volume, as they were no longer involved in the project, the lettering slight modifications.
Mike Platinas, Javier Ussía and Xavier Ussia left Max Music due to discrepancies with the direction. Max Music renewed its team with Toni Peret and José María Castells as megamixers, and also with Andreu Ugas as a sound engineer. All of them would remain with the record company until 1997.
The project was a big success, special mention to the 4th volume that achieved the Guinness World Records for sales (even beating Julio Iglesias). This volume came with a box and inside a kit to make your own megamix, including material for cutting and gluing tape, two sliders for the plates, and an explanatory book by Toni Peret and José María Castells.
Max Mix is the great hidden story of Spanish, Catalan and most especially Barcelona popular music, and changed dance music in Spain forever introducing compilations to the mainstream and its success was the beginning of more iconic compilations like Maquina Total or Bolero Mix.
