"Higher State of Consciousness" is a song by American
electronic dance musicDJ, label owner,
producer, and
remixerJosh Wink. It was first released in March 1995 by
Strictly Rhythm and then included on his debut album, Left Above the Clouds (1996). The song peaked at number eight on the
UK Singles Chart and was a top-10 hit also in Ireland and Spain. In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked the track number 128 in their list of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".[3]
Background
The song was initially a hit in the United Kingdom in 1995, where it reached number eight on the
UK Singles Chart. The official 'Original Tweekin' Acid Funk Mix' was remixed by several artists the following year. The radio edit was remixed by Dex and Jonesey and the single peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart. The track was remixed for a third time in 2007 by Serbian-Australian DJ
Dirty South and Australian dance act
TV Rock. This remix reached number five in Finland and allowed the original version to climb to number three on the
UK Dance Chart. A key sample from the track was used by
The Porn Kings for their 1996 track "Up to No Good". Josh Wink had no control over the selection of remixing artists, nor over the final decision to release those remixes.
Critical reception
Andy Crysell from NME wrote, "Huge on import, massive in clubs worldwide, the Winkster's 303-breakbeat mega-clash finally secures a UK release and sets its sights on the charts. Josh on Top of the Pops? Blimey!"[4] A reviewer from Music Week rated the song four out of five upon the release of the 1996 remixes.[5]
Track listings
1995 UK CD single
"Higher State of Consciousness" (radio edit) (2:55)
"Higher State of Consciousness" (original Tweekin' Acid Funk edit) (3:00)
"Higher State of Consciousness" (DJ Wink's Hardhouse mix) (7:56)
"Higher State of Consciousness" (
Jules & Skins Short Vox mix) (4:46)
"Higher State of Consciousness" (
Jules & Skins Long & Epic mix) (6:33)
1996 UK CD single
"Higher State of Consciousness" (radio edit (Dex and Jonesey)) (3:39)
"Higher State of Consciousness" (original Tweekin' Acid Funk mix) (6:16)
"Higher State of Consciousness" (Dex & Jonesey's Higher Stated mix) (6:44)
"Higher State of Consciousness" (Mr Spring's Maggott mix) (7:13)