Greg Wilson began DJing in 1975 and is regarded as one of the most important figures on the UK dance scene.
He enjoyed hugely popular residencies in the early '80s at Wigan Pier and Manchester's majorly influential Legend. He was a pioneer of mixing in the UK and in 1983 he became the first ‘dance music’ DJ hired for a regular weekly session at Manchester's now legendary Hacienda club.
Greg was instrumental in breaking the new electronic, post-disco records coming out of New York, a sound he has dubbed ‘electro-funk’. Ahead of his Austraian tour later this month, Greg selects his Top 5 favourite disco edits.
1. MFSB ‘Love Is The Message’ (Edit by Mr. K)
This late ‘80s edit by Mr. K (aka NYC DJ Danny Krivit) is a cornerstone track as far as the re-edits movement is concerned. It combined ‘Love Is The Message’ by MFSB with a later derivative, ‘Ooh I Love It (Love Break)’ by The Salsoul Orchestra (the link between the two tracks being arranger/ producer Vincent Montana, Jr.) to create what is now the definitive club version of a track that, in its original ‘70s form, was a New York disco anthem.2. Chic ‘I Want Your Love’ (Todd Terje Edit)
Todd Terje, who’s recently had big success with his own original material, not least ‘Inspector Norse’ and ‘Strandbar’, first came to wider attention via this edit of the Chic favourite. Taking the original, as well as Moodyman’s variant ‘I Can’t Kick This Feeling When It Hits’, he created a new, vital hybrid that resonated its way through sound systems throughout the world.3. Fleetwood Mac ‘Everywhere’ (Re-Edited by Psychemagik)
Summoning the Balearic spirit, Psychemagik brought Fleetwood Mac’s infectious sing-a-long, ‘Everywhere’, bang up to date – the sonic assault of the intro setting the tone for a solid re-interpretation, which would soon become a festival anthem – a joyous ode to togetherness, which seems particularly uplifting in outdoor spaces.4. Prince ‘I Wanna Be Your Lover’ aka Dimitri From Stoke On Trent ‘I Wanna Be Your Lobster’
Taking the original version and a live recording, Dimitri From Paris fashioned a fabulous new version of this Prince favourite. The crowd atmosphere at the intro really infects a club/ festival audience, and when the drums eventually kick in the track is enormous – it takes people’s breath away, even when they know what’s coming.5. Neneh Cherry ‘Buffalo Stance’ aka ‘Buffalo Dance’(Reworked by Henry Greenwood)
Back in the ‘80s Neneh Cherry, for a short period, was the perfect pop star. The Spice Girls might have preached ‘girl power’ a decade on, but Neneh was the real deal and ‘Buffalo Stance’ her best-loved tune. Henry Greenwood’s update is the perfect example of how, while retaining the essence of the original, a little jiggery pokery can breathe fresh life into a track previously lost, to all intents and purposes, to the past.Greg Wilson Tour Dates
Sunday 28 Dec - Capulet (Brisbane)Wed 31 Dec - Warehaus @ First Floor (Melbourne)
Thu 1 Jan - Lost Paradise Festival (Glenworth Valley)
Sat 3 Jan - Matisse Beach Club (Perth)
