Hoot004 on his way!!

Compilation from the '93–'94 DAT archives of Olivier Abbeloos

Compiled by Hoot friends
Mastered by Stefan Betke @ Scape Mastering, Berlin
Photography by Isabelle Goeminne
Cover art by Sara De Graeve
Distributed by Resonanz @ Brussels
Limited 300 copies

PRE ORDER ON Hoot Bandcamp 

Olivier Abbeloos' archives capture the pulse of Belgium's vibrant club years —
a scene built on instinct, groove, and pure experimentation.
Melodic, playful, and full of heart, these rediscovered moments reveal a timeless energy that still moves today.
A huge thank you to Olivier for opening the box and rediscovering these tapes.
Lovingly restored and brought back to life on Hoot004.

A groove from Olivier stayed with me — time aside. His flow and the spark behind it left a quiet mark.

Years later we crossed paths again over a stack of vinyl. I was spending more time in the area where I grew up, close to where Olivier lives. Soon I found myself in his studio again — listening, talking, picking records, rediscovering that same energy.

Olivier approaches music like a true collector with a curious, almost scientific mind. His studio feels like a library of stories. One day he mentioned the DAT box — an archive of forgotten recordings — and his long-silent Tascam 30 MKII. I knew someone who could revive it. Once repaired, we dove into the tapes, transferring and uncovering everything inside. That's where this journey really began.

The timing felt uncanny. I was going through a rough patch, and his track Into the Consciousness hit me right when I needed it. Something woke up again.

From there, the idea for this release took shape. Working together revealed more of Olivier's path — far beyond his well-known projects. Originally a programmer, his problem-solving mindset blended naturally with his musical curiosity. Behind the structure sits a fearless creator, one who helped shape Belgium's electronic DNA through T99 and Quadrophonia.

He often spoke about his roots — his father's shoe shop at the coast — a place where design and rhythm first met. That sense of style still runs through everything he does.

Olivier became one of the defining DJs of Belgium's early scene, with residencies at La Rocca, Fill Collins Club, and Studio Live (Who's Who's Land). His brother-in-law, Olivier Pieters of Boccaccio fame, guided him through a time driven purely by feeling and experimentation.

In the studio, everything was alive: tape reels, live takes, spontaneous jams. No inch of DAT tape was wasted — every spare minute filled with sketches and ideas. Many never left the room… until now.

These rediscovered tracks are more than old tapes. They're pieces of a time when everything felt possible — and somehow, they still do.

— Kristof DG