Passion — Evolution

Catalogue note

Original A4 double-sided Passion — Evolution poster/flyer advertising a 9pm–6am reunion-themed rave on Friday 23 April 1993 at the Marcus Garvey Centre, Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham. The red rose floating over a blue-gold horizon on the front contrasts with reverse red/yellow 'Evolution' typographic design and atom emblem, heavy original nationwide record shop/outlet listings, £12 admission without booking charge and production credit to M.C.M.X. Billing features Carl Cox, Rat Pack with live PA, DJ Ratty, Colin Dale, Euro X.T., DJ Judge Dred (R+S Records Belgium) and Kosmik Kommando (Rephlex). Independent artist research establishes Judge Dred and Kosmik Kommando as two names used by Mike Dred, providing an unusual printed cross-label connection. The promoter says the original 1988-era Passion crew has returned after four years; historical claims and actual performances remain unverified. The venue's important African-Caribbean civic history and early rave role are independently documented. Full sheet, front and reverse, assessed for visible handling wear.

Advertised programme: IN THE MIX: CARL COX (EVERYWHERE); RAT PACK (FULL ENTOURAGE + LIVE P.A.); 'FROM R+S RECORDS BELGIUM' / D.J. JUDGE DRED; D.J. RATTY (BY POPULAR DEMAND); EURO X.T. (ROOTS); COLIN DALE (KISS F.M. LONDON). SPECIAL GUEST P.A.: KOSMIK KOMMANDO (REPHLEX). Names, label cues and roles transcribed as promotional billing, not proof that all sets or the event actually occurred. DJ Judge Dred and Kosmik Kommando are separately printed aliases of the same musician Mike Dred, so this is not proof of two different individuals or distinct performances.

Graphic-design significance: The illustrated face pairs an isolated rich-red rose against a softened blue-to-gold twilight/horizon, strikingly restrained compared with techno-cyborg poster motifs. The event-information reverse deliberately contrasts the romantic flower with a black ground, pink outlined dimensional PASSION lettering, yellow 'Back From the beginning', enormous orange-to-yellow EVOLUTION text, central red/cyan atom-style circular icon, and vividly separated roster, attractions and record-shop list. The explicit 'FLYER DESIGN / PRINT M.C.M.X.' credit is an important named production lead; the image maker and process remain unknown.

Historical context: On Friday 23 April 1993 Passion advertised a revival titled 'Evolution' at Nottingham's Marcus Garvey Centre, describing its 'old Passion crew' as returning after four years and referring to a phenomenon that swept the nation in 1988. These dates and success claims are original 1993 promoter rhetoric, not independently established Passion history. The venue has an important heritage beyond rave: British Culture Archive's Tony Davis material documents early-1990s dance parties at a centre founded for Nottingham's African-Caribbean communities, while Northwestern University preserves separately held Rave FM/Hardcore Inc printed events at the Marcus Garvey Centre. The flyer bridges early breakbeat/hardcore names (Carl Cox, DJ Ratty, Rat Pack) and exploratory European acid-techno identities: it bills 'D.J. Judge Dred' under R+S Records Belgium and 'Kosmik Kommando' as a Rephlex special guest PA. Authoritative artist sources identify these two pseudonyms with Mike Dred. His own catalogue confirms a 1992 Rephlex EP and 1993 Kosmik Kommando work, and R&S affiliation; the promoter's double-billing cannot establish two persons, two performances or detailed contracts. Rat Pack's own current biography identifies DJ Lipmaster Mark and MC Evenson Allen as the duo, which supports the printed full-entourage/live-PA context without verifying exact attendance. The '20K Crystal Clear JBL Turbo Sound', twin laser and hologram attractions are advertised offerings, not independently certified equipment.

Production note: Printed full-colour front and multicolour reverse (pink/red/yellow/blue on black with white distributor panel). Printing attributed to M.C.M.X.; actual reproduction process, paper weight and original source imagery unknown.

Condition note: Largely intact single sheet with light corner softening, edge rubbing, and limited small scuffs/white nicks at the top/upper corners and margins; isolated surface marks over the dark rear field and slight handling/curling. Printed colour remains strong and reverse ticket list and production credit clear. No large missing paper region, important text loss or substantial tear visible from the supplied two views. Exact stock, hidden creases, professional grading, repair status and dimensions need in-hand inspection.

Confidence / uncertainty: Promoter name, venue, exact date, artist names, £12 admission with no booking fee, 9pm–6am hours, large national ticketing grid and the printed M.C.M.X. flyer design/print credit are all physically verified. 'After 4 years in retirement' and 'swept the nation in 1988' are marketing copy, not independent dates of founder activity. Judge Dred and Kosmik Kommando are aliases of the SAME artist Mike Dred; retain both printed forms under one People authority without double-counting an individual. R+S is the flyer spelling for R&S Records. Label membership at the event date is not proven by printed heading alone. Artist Euro X.T. (ROOTS) identity and the meaning of ROOTS are unresolved. 'Rat Pack (Full Entourage + Live P.A.)' is an advertised live appearance, not a confirmed one. No verifiable owner item print run, distribution, designer biographical identity or sold market price.

Through the flyers

Explore the club-culture timeline to follow advertised dates, places and billed performers across the held flyers.

Event details are drawn from the held object and the qualified catalogue research above. A printed bill establishes an advertised booking, not confirmation that a performer appeared.