Greg Wilson "The Best of 83 Mix" Piccadilly Radio, UK 1983 now on the main page

[imported_Gman]

[Ben.]

sick mix! [img]graemlins/respekt.gif[/img]

[Jolyon]

Greg was way ahead of most other brit djs back then. Respec' to the scouse-house!

[Martin Red]

My year right their , 1983 was fantastic

[greg wilson]

Hi Ben, Jolyon, Martin (plus those who've e-mailed me). Thanks for all the positive feedback.

BTW the missing track on the playlist is 'Chance To Dance' by The Wreckin' Crew.

[greg wilson]

A couple of people who've e-mailed me were under the assumption that I only used to play the more Electro-type stuff on my club nights. Just thought I'd clarify that all of these styles (Soul, Funk, Disco, Electro-Funk) were featured together within the same night.

Back then it was about playing the best of the available black dance music (regardless of style or tempo), rather than limiting yourself to narrow areas all within the same bpm range (as became the norm some years later).

The tracks I played on a typical night would range from under 100bpm to over 130bpm and, further to the type of records listed in the mix, the nights would always include a couple of 'Jazz breaks', which normally featured a run of 3 records (Jazz Fusion crews pre-dating the UK Break crews).

Anyway, hope this helps give a fuller picture of what was going on.

[Jolyon]

How about a few jazz fusion favourites Greg?

[Javier Drada]

Oh my god, tearing that shit up... mad props...

Thank you... [img]hail.gif[/img]

[greg wilson]

Jolyon: I'll dig a list of Jazz stuff out and add it to this thread in the next few days.

Javier Drada: Big thanks for the mad props! BTW did you know Joe PappaWheelie when you lived in Miami?

[greg wilson]

Hi Jolyon, the whole Jazz-Funk thing was quite wide-ranging. You had US Jazz-Funk and Jazz, Latin American Jazz, British Jazz-Funk and 'Jap Jazz' (very pricey digital recordings by both Japanese and International artists on labels like Flying Disk and Electric Bird). Once again, the tempos of these tracks varied somewhat - from mellow to frantic!

As I said, I'll post some lists, but for now here are 10 of the more uptempo tracks, which I remember being particularly popular with the Fusion dancers during my time at Wigan Pier and Legend:

CHIC COREA central park
JEFF LORBER FUSION the samba
DAVID VALENTINE blackbird
ROY HAYNES vistalite
LEE RITENOUR marketplace
RICHIE COLE hi-fly
AL JARREAU spain
RYO KAWASAKI the breeze and I
BOBBY McFERRIN dance with me
STUDIO TRIESTE malaguena

[greg wilson]

Here's a couple of lists from my clubs:

TOP 10 JAZZ OF 82
1.BOBBY McFERRIN dance with me
2.LESSETTE WILSON caveman boogie
3.RAY BARRETTO pastime paradise
4.GROVER WASHINGTON JNR little black samba
5.TOKI & SAMBA FRIENDS brasil
6.DOM UM ROMAO braun blek blu
7.PETER MAGADINI samba de Rollins
8.STUDIO TRIESTE malaguena
9.BAYA a vegas kind of guy
10.COCONUTS CREW sambolero

25 FEATURED JAZZ ALBUMS 1983:
BOY KATINDIG midnight lady
BOBBY ENRIQUEZ the wild man
MASURU IMADA andalusian breeze
SWAMP CHILDREN so hot
TANIA MARIA come with me
CAYENNE roberto who?
RARE SILK new weave
VICTOR FELDMAN secret of the andes
LONNIE LISTON SMITH dreams of tomorrow
RICHIE COLE return to alto acres
WEBSTER LEWIS touch my love
EARL KLUGH low fide
SERGIO MENDES sergio mendes
WAR the music band jazz
CHIC COREA return to forever
CHIC COREA light as a feather
NAYO MATSUOKA daybreak
PAULHINO DA COSTA agora
GERRY MULLIGAN little big horn
ART PEPPER today
BRAZILIA brazilia
ROLAND VALQUEZ urban ensemble
ART BLAKEY the jazz messenger
ART BLAKEY a night in tunisia

[Jolyon]

Many thanks Greg!

['Magic' Juan]

I love this mix. Really dope! Props ....

magic_juan

[Martin Red]

Nice one greg, good to hear from you on DHP.

pleasent surprise.

[greg wilson]

Hi Magic Juan, glad you enjoyed the mix and thanks for the props. It's particularly pleasing to get such positive feedback all this time on, nice one.

Hi Martin Red, checked your profile and noticed you're in Birmingham. You would have been a bit too young to remember the All-Dayers at The Powerhouse, a top club back in the day. Do you know when it closed (maybe it's still going)?

[greg wilson]

Originally posted by greg wilson:
Here's a couple of lists from my clubs:

TOP 10 JAZZ OF 82
1.BOBBY McFERRIN dance with me
2.LESSETTE WILSON caveman boogie
3.RAY BARRETTO pastime paradise
4.GROVER WASHINGTON JNR little black samba
5.TOKI & SAMBA FRIENDS brasil
6.DOM UM ROMAO braun blek blu
7.PETER MAGADINI samba de Rollins
8.STUDIO TRIESTE malaguena
9.BAYA a vegas kind of guy
10.COCONUTS CREW sambolero

25 FEATURED JAZZ ALBUMS 1983:
BOY KATINDIG midnight lady
BOBBY ENRIQUEZ the wild man
MASURU IMADA andalusian breeze
SWAMP CHILDREN so hot
TANIA MARIA come with me
CAYENNE roberto who?
RARE SILK new weave
VICTOR FELDMAN secret of the andes
LONNIE LISTON SMITH dreams of tomorrow
RICHIE COLE return to alto acres
WEBSTER LEWIS touch my love
EARL KLUGH low fide
SERGIO MENDES sergio mendes
WAR the music band jazz
CHIC COREA return to forever
CHIC COREA light as a feather
NAYO MATSUOKA daybreak
PAULHINO DA COSTA agora
GERRY MULLIGAN little big horn
ART PEPPER today
BRAZILIA brazilia
ROLAND VALQUEZ urban ensemble
ART BLAKEY the jazz messenger
ART BLAKEY a night in tunisia

Jolyon: Just to clarify. Much of the Jazz stuff was played retrospectively, so those listed weren't necessarily released during the above years.

[Martin Red]

Originally posted by greg wilson:
Hi Magic Juan, glad you enjoyed the mix and thanks for the props. It's particularly pleasing to get such positive feedback all this time on, nice one.

Hi Martin Red, checked your profile and noticed you're in Birmingham. You would have been a bit too young to remember the All-Dayers at The Powerhouse, a top club back in the day. Do you know when it closed (maybe it's still going)?

someone has actually heard of somewhere from here [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img] [img]hail.gif[/img]


Powerhouse, fantastic sound sytem, Powerhouse, Faces and Boogies where the main places when I really started going out around 1985, but earlier than this - the Powerhouse used to have alldayers where alot of the dancing challenges used to happen. It closed ...88 from memory, it's still their, it's a first leisure type place called "Zanzibar" now.

When was you their Greg ?

[ September 28, 2003, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Martin Red ]

[greg wilson]

Originally posted by Martin Red:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by greg wilson:
Hi Magic Juan, glad you enjoyed the mix and thanks for the props. It's particularly pleasing to get such positive feedback all this time on, nice one.

Hi Martin Red, checked your profile and noticed you're in Birmingham. You would have been a bit too young to remember the All-Dayers at The Powerhouse, a top club back in the day. Do you know when it closed (maybe it's still going)?

someone has actually heard of somewhere from here [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img] [img]hail.gif[/img]


Powerhouse, fantastic sound sytem, Powerhouse, Faces and Boogies where the main places when I really started going out around 1985, but earlier than this - the Powerhouse used to have alldayers where alot of the dancing challenges used to happen. It closed ...88 from memory, it's still their, it's a first leisure type place called "Zanzibar" now.

When was you their Greg ? </font>[/QUOTE]Hi Martin, I appeared at the first Powerhouse All-Dayer in 1983. It was an excellent club, which, along with Rock City in Nottingham, would follow on from Legend and Wigan Pier with regards to Electro (all these venues being very impressive when it came to sound and lighting).

Ralph Randell, who was one of the weekend residents at Legend (as well as hosting, along with Paul Rae, one of the UK's top 'Futurist' nights on a Thursday at Legend in the early 80's), was the first Powerhouse resident (he later went into management, working at The Limelight and Ministry Of Sound in London, and The Kitchen, U2's club in Dublin).

The Birmingham crowd had been travelling to the Pier and Legend on a weekly basis throughout the early Electro period (as had crews from areas like Huddersfield, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Bradford, Liverpool and Nottingham), and were regarded as one of the most knowledgeable crews musically, with some great dancers. One guy I particularly remember was Bulldog, a pocket-dynamo of a guy who was one of the best Jazz Fusion dancers in the country. We'd quite often have coachloads travelling up from Birmingham on a Tuesday (Wigan) or Wednesday (Manchester). On any given week there'd at the very least be a convoy of cars heading up the M6 carrying 30-40 people from Birmingham.

[Martin Red]

Originally posted by greg wilson:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Martin Red:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by greg wilson:
Hi Magic Juan, glad you enjoyed the mix and thanks for the props. It's particularly pleasing to get such positive feedback all this time on, nice one.

Hi Martin Red, checked your profile and noticed you're in Birmingham. You would have been a bit too young to remember the All-Dayers at The Powerhouse, a top club back in the day. Do you know when it closed (maybe it's still going)?

someone has actually heard of somewhere from here [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img] [img]hail.gif[/img]


Powerhouse, fantastic sound sytem, Powerhouse, Faces and Boogies where the main places when I really started going out around 1985, but earlier than this - the Powerhouse used to have alldayers where alot of the dancing challenges used to happen. It closed ...88 from memory, it's still their, it's a first leisure type place called "Zanzibar" now.

When was you their Greg ? </font>[/QUOTE]Hi Martin, I appeared at the first Powerhouse All-Dayer in 1983. It was an excellent club, which, along with Rock City in Nottingham, would follow on from Legend and Wigan Pier with regards to Electro (all these venues being very impressive when it came to sound and lighting).

Ralph Randell, who was one of the weekend residents at Legend (as well as hosting, along with Paul Rae, one of the UK's top 'Futurist' nights on a Thursday at Legend in the early 80's), was the first Powerhouse resident (he later went into management, working at The Limelight and Ministry Of Sound in London, and The Kitchen, U2's club in Dublin).

The Birmingham crowd had been travelling to the Pier and Legend on a weekly basis throughout the early Electro period (as had crews from areas like Huddersfield, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Bradford, Liverpool and Nottingham), and were regarded as one of the most knowledgeable crews musically, with some great dancers. One guy I particularly remember was Bulldog, a pocket-dynamo of a guy who was one of the best Jazz Fusion dancers in the country. We'd quite often have coachloads travelling up from Birmingham on a Tuesday (Wigan) or Wednesday (Manchester). On any given week there'd at the very least be a convoy of cars heading up the M6 carrying 30-40 people from Birmingham. </font>[/QUOTE]The travelling part was before my time in 1983 though, but I know people that used to make the trips, making trips up north etc seemed to be the way here, perhaps the legacy of that left people more clued up as to what was going on country wide rather than a specific area, north was always a favourite with brummies right through the 80's and still today, travelling up north because they find the people friendly.


Blimey !, I remember the alldayers they had where it was definatley about challenges rather than alcohol, a lot of the people who used to go also used to practise at a "youth club" at the bottom of my road, some of the guys where 21 though [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

Bulldog, yes I remember him, and other dancers from around that time like "e double d" who are still about - saw him a few months ago - still bad ass dancer, plas (one of the best poppers) don't see much of. Sonic Shock crew where the best crew in my area, they all used to sport the matching Adidas tracksuits that where Red White and blue. Long live this era Greg and props to you [img]graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

I have emailed this to some of the heads I am still in contact with, they will love this [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

p.s: I used to go the the Lacano (before it was called Powerhouse) when I was even younger, roller disco night [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

[ October 01, 2003, 06:10 AM: Message edited by: Martin Red ]

[Martin Red]

Greg, Just to inform - from this area I mostly remember the Constructive trio dj's from this time and slighly later 85-86ish.
Barry
Frenchy
Mix wizard

[img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

Apart from the Powerhouse alldayers, 83 - 84 I used to spend my Sunday at a place called Canal Hill (art Centre) they used to have alot of jazz. break dance challenges there on a Sunday and was strictly for the heads, later became more popular along with the music. I also have older bros who used to fill me in musically on what was going on in the licensed venues 83ish
[img]graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]
being a working class lad, I learnt the value of the Electro comps, as my bro was working adecent paid job, he used to do the business with imports and 12"'s

[ October 01, 2003, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: Martin Red ]

[Insert pseudonym here]

Great post.

MRed this says a lot about the "days of old" and what Brum used to be... I hope that a piece of this era can make a "come-back" while I'm in Brum.

Keep hope alive!

Peace!

[nev m]

Originally posted by greg wilson:
Hi Magic Juan, glad you enjoyed the mix and thanks for the props. It's particularly pleasing to get such positive feedback all this time on, nice one.

Hi Martin Red, checked your profile and noticed you're in Birmingham. You would have been a bit too young to remember the All-Dayers at The Powerhouse, a top club back in the day. Do you know when it closed (maybe it's still going)?

I wish I had known was going down in 1983! I went to the Powerhouse once in that year on a Friday with a girl from Stechford that I'd met on a crossed telephone line (TRUE!).

The music was a right hotch-potch with maybe one, or two good tracks but the sound system at the time was considered awesome.

Much [img]graemlins/respekt.gif[/img] at least you were there even if I missed you.

Peace.

[Rob.J]

Holy Shit !!!

Bulldog, i remember him, short dude from aston..

Other DJ's i recall :

IMD ( Still going )
Scooby Swift

Sundays at the Cannon Hill Arts Centre...praticing the moves in posh dance studios...lol

Electric Area - Once a month in the Ampitheatre(sp)

Lets not forget the Hip Hop Jams at Heathtown Community Centre..Wolverhampton on Thursdays ( raw as **** )

I recall going to see Afrika Bambattaa(sp) at The Powerhouse on a Sunday Night, I think i was around 14ish and still at school....The mofo did'nt come on stage until 1am ( advertised 10pm ).......got my ass kicked that night by my father........but was it worth it hell yeah.

The PowerHouse upstairs 1988 ( The Exctasy Club ), One of B'Ham first Acid House nights.........Excellent

good times

rob

[Martin Red]

Originally posted by Rob.J:
Holy Shit !!!

Bulldog, i remember him, short dude from aston..

Other DJ's i recall :

IMD ( Still going )
Scooby Swift

Sundays at the Cannon Hill Arts Centre...praticing the moves in posh dance studios...lol

Electric Area - Once a month in the Ampitheatre(sp)

Lets not forget the Hip Hop Jams at Heathtown Community Centre..Wolverhampton on Thursdays ( raw as **** )

I recall going to see Afrika Bambattaa(sp) at The Powerhouse on a Sunday Night, I think i was around 14ish and still at school....The mofo did'nt come on stage until 1am ( advertised 10pm ).......got my ass kicked that night by my father........but was it worth it hell yeah.

The PowerHouse upstairs 1988 ( The Exctasy Club ), One of B'Ham first Acid House nights.........Excellent

good times

rob

:D hope you are well rob
Salvation also, what was that big shop 2 floors - mega active ? open around that time. gotta tell some peeps about this post, still see e double d, he's still a great dancer, one of the best.

Makes you see the link that has been lost , and why the music state in Birmingham this present day.

P.S: - Greg's mix is [img]graemlins/OLA.gif[/img] !

[greg wilson]

Originally posted by Martin Red:
Blimey !, I remember the alldayers they had where it was definatley about challenges rather than alcohol, a lot of the people who used to go also used to practise at a "youth club" at the bottom of my road, some of the guys where 21 though [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

Bulldog, yes I remember him, and other dancers from around that time like "e double d" who are still about - saw him a few months ago - still bad ass dancer, plas (one of the best poppers) don't see much of. Sonic Shock crew where the best crew in my area, they all used to sport the matching Adidas tracksuits that where Red White and blue. Long live this era Greg and props to you [img]graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

I have emailed this to some of the heads I am still in contact with, they will love this [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

p.s: I used to go the the Lacano (before it was called Powerhouse) when I was even younger, roller disco night [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

The challenges you talk of started with the Jazz Fusion dancers and continued into the breakdance era.

I've just spent a couple of days with Kermit, who was very friendly with Bulldog back in the day (as a result of a mutual respect for each other as Fusion dancers). I was talking to him about all this and he was telling me that he used to go clubbing with Bulldog in Birmingham and sometimes they'd head South to challenge the London guys.

For the benefit of those who don't know who I'm talking about, Kermit is best known as Shaun Ryder's partner in Black Grape, who had a number one UK album in the 90's plus a run of hit singles. Back in the early 80's Kermit (then a teenager) was one of the best Fusion dancers in Manchester and a regular at Legend and Wigan Pier. Kermit was one of the founder members of Broken Glass, the Manchester breakdance crew who would go on to appear on national TV and gain the respect of every b boy in the country (Kermit was the first British breakdancer to be photographed for a national publication). Broken Glass would also appear weekly at The Hacienda when I worked there, and played a big part in bringing the club to the attention of the black audience in Manchester (The Hacienda was then very much an 'alternative' venue), although their contribution is rarely mentioned.

By the mid-80's Kermit had stopped dancing and was now concentrating on rapping. His crew, the Ruthless Rap Assassins, were acknowledged by many as the UK's finest before they split-up in 1992 following 2 albums for EMI. It was at this point that Kermit hooked up with Shaun Ryder, making a guest appearance on the infamous final Happy Mondays album and appearing on stage with the band before they split.

Kermit has been a close friend for 20 years. I was also manager of Broken Glass, as well as the manager / producer of the Rap Assassins. Many people will be aware of Kermit's legendary drug abuse (which nearly cost him his life), but he somehow managed to pull through (by the skin of his teeth) and is on top form once again, looking great and wanting to get back into making music after a bit of a break.

Anyway, back to Bulldog. Kermit said that the last time he saw him was a few years ago when he was in Birmingham guesting on the Bentley Rhythm Ace tour. He thinks he might have a number for him somewhere. I'd love to speak to Bulldog, so if you know anyone who's got a contact for him please pass on my e-mail address. Kermit told me that even before he'd met Bulldog his reputation as a top Fusion dancer preceeded him. He was definitely someone who Kermit had lots of respect for.