Goa trance is characterised by making heavy use of melodies and synthesizers in its structure, as opposed to the bass lines and rhythms of house music that was prevalent in UK nightclubs.

The show was launched with a Pete Tong mix on 30 October 1993 after Gordon advised Radio 1 that a weekly dance mix show with DJs of different genres of music would offer more variety and the chance for the ever burgeoning UK dance music scene to flourish with new emerging DJs as well as the internationally famous.

Hence, a need for a straight out "four-on-the-floor" seamless 130bpm mix for two hours was not totally necessary so the DJs could include more eclectic music or offer something different from their normal set.

Wanting to present his newfound sound, Oakenfold produced a two-hour Goa trance mix broadcast on Sunday 20 March 1994.

First broadcast on the early morning of 18 December 1994 as the 59th edition of Essential Mix, the sound was predominantly influenced by the trance parties taking place on the hippie beaches of Goa, India at that time.

As prompted by Gordon, Oakenfold lightened the harsh, dark sounds of Goa trance by incorporating European records into this broadcast and mixing in movie soundtracks and audio samples to retain audience interest.

Whilst it has been noted that many contemporary big name DJs use this aesthetic today, it has been considered unheard of at the time of the Goa Mix.

"[2] From the conclusion of the "frenetic, bleak piano" of Virtual Symmetry's "Vaporize", released Sven Väth's Eye Q label, heralds the first of many soundtrack pieces on the album, including Vangelis' "Blade Runner" and an excerpt of replicant Roy Batty's lament of memories lost, "Like Tears In Rain".

After Salt Tank's "Eugina", the mix shifts a gear with the iconic "LSD" by Hallucinogen, followed by a strings composition from the Dracula soundtrack, which segues into the Arabic-tinged "Alcatraz" by Electrotete.

Concluding the first hour is a trio of works from Man With No Name: "Floor Essence", his remix of Scorpio Rising's "Dubcatcher", and "Evolution".

The Gold Mix begins with Metalheads' "Inner City Life", which then progresses into a predominant Goa trance session including The Infinity Project's "Stimuli", Marmion's seminal "Schöneberg", a Man With No Name's "Deliverance".

Lisa Gerrard's vocals from Dead Can Dance’s "Sanvean" start the show's conclusion with the Northern Mix of 4 Voice's "Eternal Spirit", and finally Man With No Name's "delirious" "Sugar Rush".

By 2000, Oakenfold had moved on from the Goa sound, paving the way for his Perfecto Presents series, his work in the studio, and recording film scores.