Josh Wink’s ‘Higher State Of Consciousness’ turns 30 years old

Three decades after its release, Josh Wink legendary ‘Higher State of Consciousness’ continues to echo through club culture and electronic history. First issued in March 1995 on Strictly Rhythm, the acid house classic catapulted Wink into global recognition, climbing to number eight on the UK Singles Chart and landing in the top 10 across Ireland and Spain.

Over the years, the track received a string of reinterpretations. In 1996, Dex and Jonesey reworked the radio edit, which edged even higher on the UK chart. Then in 2007, a remix by Dirty South and TV Rock sent the song back up the charts, this time in Finland and the UK Dance Chart, where the original resurfaced at number three. Additionally, a sample from the track made its way into The Porn Kings’ 1996 release “Up to No Good.”

In 2014, Swedish duo Dada Life teamed up with Wink to release ‘Higher State of Dada Land’, a punchy electro version featured on the Dance (RED) Saves Lives charity compilation. The project directed all proceeds toward AIDS relief efforts, giving the track a new layer of significance.

Meanwhile, a steady flow of edits, remixes, and unofficial bootlegs has kept the track alive in modern DJ sets. From Adana Twins’ melodic interpretation to Eli Brown’s raw, driving edit, the song continues to evolve well beyond its original form.

Although Josh Wink had no control over most remix decisions, the track’s continued presence in the dance landscape speaks volumes. Moreover, in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked it number 128 in its list of the “200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time,” solidifying its legacy across generations.