Greg Wilson

ESSENTIAL MIX - JAN 2009
Uploaded on 17.01.10 and exclusive to SoundCloud. Available for the first time without voiceovers and jingles,12 months on from original Radio 1broadcast on 17.01.09.


EMAILSHOT A FEW DAYS AHEAD OF MIX BEING AIRED:
2009 kicks in for me this weekend with my first gig of the year for Udio (1st birthday) at The Gramaphone Club in Shoreditch, London on Friday night, which coincides with the airing of my only just completed in the nick of time Essential Mix on Radio 1, made up of 43 tracks in just under 2 hours.

Given that the 5th anniversary of my DJ comeback has only just passed, I decided to take the opportunity to make the mix totally representative of this period, with all the selections being amongst the biggest tracks I’ve played since I made my second debut at Music Is Better in Manchester.

Five years represents a significant package of time, a fixed point from where I can reflect on what’s been a continually snowballing sequence of events, set in motion when Danny Webb asked me to appear in Manchester on that December night back in 2003.

There were less than 100 people there that night, but they were the right people, and I was taken aback by the response to my return, both on the night itself and during subsequent days, when people who were there began to post on the forums. I’d never expected all the feedback be so totally positive!

I’d figured that I’d play that night, using the combination of laptop and reel-to-reel for the first time, then go away and think about what worked and what didn’t before I made my next move. I would never have believed that things could come together so immediately, it was as if I’d hit a completely unexpected hole in one, especially when two of the people who were there, Ralph Lawson, DJ from Back To Basics in Leeds, and one of my fellow DJ’s that night, Richard Hardcastle (Solid State) from Society in Sheffield, both asked me to play at their nights no sooner had I finished my spot.

One thing kept leading to another and, in Sheffield, I was approached by Tony Daly to play at the now legendary Tyneside Cinema party in Newcastle, a bespoke event where he took on the substantial risk of presenting me in a city I’d never DJ’d in previously (unless you count the 1983 TV appearance on The Tube, which was filmed in the Tyne Tees studio). Then, of course, there was London, where Steve Kotey and Bill Brewster booked me for their parties, bringing me to the capital within the first few months of my return for Ouch and Low Life.

The bookings kept coming, and I found myself driving up and down the country on an increasingly regular basis. Later in 2004 I was approached by Sav Remzi, from Tirk / Nuphonic, with the idea of putting together an edits album, which would be issued the following year as ‘Credit To The Edit’. This would help bring my name to the attention of people outside the UK. There was soon a need to step things up further, now that I was receiving enquiries from Europe, and so began a fruitful relationship with my agent, Matt Johnson (Matty J), who’s done a wonderful job of representing me during recent years.

The last few months have been, to say the least, manic for me, with 25 flights, including 6 long haul, taking me to gigs in the US, Japan, Australia, Brazil and Europe. From a personal perspective I still find it remarkable the way everything has developed, pretty much organically, since I made the decision that I was going to be a DJ once again – had I concocted some sort of comeback masterplan, it could never have worked out anything like as well as it has. It’s definitely been a case of ‘from small acorns’.

It still never ceases to amaze me that people from another continent are interested in my DJ past. Back in the early 80’s, before I went into retirement for 20 years, the furthest I travelled (with the exception of the appearances I made in the South of England as part of The Hacienda Review in late ’83) was to places like Birmingham and Nottingham, when I played at All-Dayers, so to find myself in clubs on the other side of the world is pretty nuts!

Anyhow, I’d like to wish everyone all the best for 09. Big thanks to all the promoters who booked me and everyone who danced to the tunes I played during ’08 in Adelaide, Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Birmingham, Blackburn, Brighton, Bristol, Dublin, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fukuoka, Glasgow, Hamburg, Leeds, Lisbon, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Melbourne, Milan, New York, Newcastle, Nottingham, Paris, Porto Alegre, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Sheffield, Sydney, Tokyo and Warsaw. Also the festivals and special events that I appeared at - Bestival (Isle Of Wight), Big Chill (England), Camp Bestival (England), Garden Festival (Croatia), Ibiza, Lovebox (England), Notting Hill Carnival (England), Rockness Festival (Scotland), Sonar (Spain) and the Southport Weekender (England).

Hope to see you soon.

Greg


FORUM POST DURING FOLLOWING DAYS:                                                        
Thanks for all the positive words. The feedback has been pretty phenomenal, far exceeding what I’d hoped for, especially on the BBC page, where I’d expected that some people would criticize the amount of older music included - the Radio 1 audience is used to current stuff ('in new music we trust'), so I’d anticipated a more mixed reaction. What’s particularly pleasing is that they were all made without the people seeing what each other wrote (they all came online at once, having been checked first by whoever moderates the BBC pages, I presume for swearing etc following the Ross / Brand controversy).

You always hope something you've done will be well received, but the response to this has blown me away.

Greg


ANSWER TO POST RE MIXING PROCESS:                                                      
It was quite a laborious process. Before I could start the actual mixing part I had to edit every track to a coherent length of around two and a half minutes average, inclusive of in and out points. I had a pool of about 90 tracks that fitted the criteria I'd set (a representative selection of the biggest tunes I've been playing during the past 5 years). It wasn't as straightforward as just editing the 43 tracks I ended up featuring - in order to have the necessary options once I started to piece the mix together I needed to have all the tracks at my disposal, just as I would have if I was out deejaying in a club, so the only thing to do was edit all 90 to the required length, even though I knew that only half would make the cut .

Once that was finally done they were all taken across into my laptop, enabling me to vari-speed them via PCDJ whilst I recorded across to my home computer into Cool Edit Pro, where I put the mix together track by track, before adding overdubs (fx, samples, textures) in a similar way to what I do live using the Revox (reel to reel).

I could quite easily have spent another day, tweaking bits here and there and adding more overdubs (the older I get the more finicky I become), but I had a deadline to work to, so, as it moved ever nearer, it became a race against time, with me doing as much as I could before the cut off point arrived.

Greg
                       

Greg Wilson - 2009


ESSENTIAL MIX (by greg wilson for bbc radio 1 2009)

The Sound of Glitterbox - Greg Wilson is the second instalment in a series of mixes from our Glitterbox Resident DJs and Guests.   

Defected presents Glitterbox Ibiza 2015, available to pre-order now: http://defct.de/GBa

Defected Presents Glitterbox: a weekly playground for an international party crowd of all persuasions, where the DJs have free reign to educate and entertain - there’s no slavish following of ‘trends’, charts or genres – just the chance to hear true masters of their craft on one of the world’s best soundsystems.

Buy on iTunes

The Sound of Glitterbox - Greg Wilson

Recording from a unique event held within the spectacular setting of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral as part of LightNight 2017. 

Photographs by Nick Mizen here: https://www.facebook.com/DJGregWilson/posts/10154805372180756

Plus a video clip I shot myself from the DJ booth: https://www.facebook.com/DJGregWilson/videos/vb.17586590755/10154799846685756/?type=3&theater

THE SUPER SONIC ASSEMBLY @ LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL LIGHTNIGHT 19.05.17 (greg wilson live mix)

Live recording of Greg Wilson at The Nest in Dalston, London 30.06.17.

Check out my label's music at: www.superweirdsubstance.bandcamp.com

THE NEST LONDON 30.06.17 (greg wilson live mix)

Dive - Greg Wilson & Derek Kaye Remix

Recording from the memorable #RAWDay at The Museum Of Art & History in Santa Cruz on 23rd July 2017.

For more info check out the accompanying blog post: 
http://www.superweirdsubstance.com/raw-day-santa-cruz/

Greg Wilson @ #RAWDay The Museum Of Art & History Santa Cruz 23.07.17

The Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu made their return in Liverpool and proved they're just as visionary and unpredictable as ever. 23 years on from burning a million quid on the Scottish Isle of Jura, Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty took 400 'volunteers' on a journey through a series of bewildering and highly exciting 'situations', adding to their already heady mythos with their '2023' trilogy before unveiling their most ambitious project yet; The People's Pyramid.

This is a recording of Greg Wilson at the final Graduation Ball, where he played on a bill alongside DJ Food and the much hyped #BadgerKull. Here's a full lowdown on Welcome To The Dark Ages: http://www.superweirdsubstance.com/jams-klf-dark-ages

Greg Wilson @ The JAMs Graduation Ball Invisible Wind Factory Liverpool 25.08.17

Recording from the Credit To The Edit event at the House Of Rum at Portmeirion's Festival No.6 09.09.17

FESTIVAL NO.6 CREDIT TO THE EDIT @ HOUSE OF RUM PORTMEIRION 09.09.17 (greg wilson live mix)

Glitterbox @ Hi Ibiza: po.st/GBHI14.

@GregWilson, the reel-to-reel master, delivered this stunning set at Glitterbox over the weekend.

Featuring music from Chic, First Choice, Oliver Cheatham and many more.

See y'all on the dancefloor...!

Greg Wilson @ Glitterbox, Hï Ibiza (15.09.17)

2 hours of edit maestro Greg Wilson serving up a brilliant selection of certified festival rump shakers at this years FN6 festival.

Pool Mix #20 Greg Wilson

Live recording from XOYO in Shoreditch, London 04.11.17.

XOYO LONDON 04.11.17 (greg wilson live mix)

Recording of my appearance at the 21st Anniversary of the Green Gorilla Lounge parties in San Francisco, held at Monarch 17.11.17.

GREEN GORILLA ANNIVERSARY @ MONARCH SAN FRANCISCO 17.11.17 (greg wilson live mix)

Rinse Podcast

Download

Greg Wilson - 23rd April 2018 (Recorded at XOYO on 14th April 2018)

Recorded live from the 2018 Mustache Bash, legendary DJ Greg Wilson delivered a special, late night set of funk, soul and disco for the masses.  Enjoy!

GREG WILSON @ THE MUSTACHE BASH SAN DIEGO 03.24.18

Recording of DJ Greg Wilson from SoundEat! at the Parc Del Fòrum in Barcelona 19.05,18.

SOUNDEAT! @ PARC DEL FÒRUM BARCELONA 19.05.18 (greg wilson live mix)

Live Greg Wilson recording from Melting Pot @ Queens Park Bandstand 08.07.18.

Three hour mix available to stream/download, recorded earlier this month at the Melting Pot takeover of Glasgow’s Queens Park Bandstand amidst the UK's summer heatwave, which was fortuitous given this was an outdoor occasion, my slot on a Sunday evening between 7pm and 10pm.

It was still very warm but slightly overcast when I started, but the sun, I’m told, broke through with the Confidence Man mix I’d just done with my son, Ché, which I debuted – its lyrics perfectly coincidental, people later messaging me to ask what the ‘sunshine’ track was. This is the one – just made for this weather:
https://soundcloud.com/confidenceman/confidence-man-out-the-window-greg-wilson-che-wilson-mix

Kicking off with ‘Reality’, the Late Nite Tuff Guy rework of Soul II Soul’s ‘Back To Life’, I played 31 tracks in all, 32 with a ‘one more tune’ inclusion, which I went back to hastily put on a couple of minutes after what I thought was my final track had finished (I edited the gap out in the recording to spare you the wait). The Glasgow crowd got their way, but how could you refuse them, it had been such a joyous 3 hours, not to mention the previous 2 hours with Andrew & Simon from Melting Pot hitting the right vibe, as ever, with the tunes they played.

It’s pretty much as good as it gets when it comes to Melting Pot, they really know how to set up a DJ and make sure that’s what’s going out of the speakers sounds as good as they can possibly make it – it was no surprise when they were brought in a number of years ago to assist in setting up Davis Mancuso’s London Loft parties, working with the most meticulous of sonic perfectionists. The spirit of The Loft still continues via Lucky Cloud, with Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy, a frequent Melting Pot guest, playing a big part.

Their approach to hi-end sound rightly sets the bar high, and whilst you’re DJing you know that they’ve got a close ear on everything, not just when you start, but right up until the final note of the very last tune you play – they really pride themselves on their sound system, and it shows, Loud & Clear Hi-Fi helping give them that special edge.

Having run their parties for 17 years, DJs throughout the world cite it as a favourite stop-off. The Melting Pot crowd know their music, there’s a whole history now to what’s been cultivated in Glasgow during this time. As they say themselves, they provide the setting for a DJ to play whatever they feel.

It’s the type of environment where it’s easy to introduce new stuff you’ve been working on (providing it grooves, of course). Along with a trio of tracks I’ve been busy on with Ché, there are also a couple of ‘70s singles I’ve reworked with Henry Greenwood, Marshall Hain’s ‘Dancing In the City’ and El Coco’s ‘Mondo Disco’.

The Confidence Man track suggested me finishing with Primal Scream’s ‘Movin’ On Up’ (or at least I thought that would be the case), referencing, of course, the band’s origins in the city. However, the one before this, the Flight Facilities rework of Paul Simon’s ‘You Can Call Me Al’ was played completely without knowledge that the great singer/songwriter was appearing in Glasgow just a few days later as part of his farewell tour.

I won’t name the last track – a spur of the moment choice, but one that felt so right as it played out for those last few minutes before we all made our way back into the night, my drive home to Liverpool with Primal Glyn accompanied by that fluffy feeling of satiation, having shared a memorable musical evening with a wonderfully receptive crowd.

MELTING POT @ QUEENS PARK BANDSTAND GLASGOW 08.07.18 (greg wilson live mix)

Festival No.6 has been a yearly highlight of recent times, its location unique. Tucked away on the North Wales coast in a magical village and famous as the location for the classic ’60s TV show ‘The Prisoner’, Portmeirion is truly a place plucked out of the imagination – an Italian fantasy creation of architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who designed and built it over a 50-year period.

Unfortunately the September weather often fails to rise to the occasion, which was apparently the case on Saturday. I played on the Sunday, my 3rd appearance at Village Limits in its enchanted woodland environment, complete with floating dancefloor (you don’t see one of those every day) beneath a huge mirrorball. 

As we set out on the drive it was in hope, rather than expectation, that the rain would hold off, and I’m pleased to report that the gods were with us, people able to dance to their heart's content without getting soaked wet through in the process. It turned out to be a fitting Village Limits finale, not just for this year, but until the festival returns – next year they’ve decided to take a sabbatical to re-strategize for the future, with many people left wondering if this could be the last one, at least in its current guise.

If so, it’ll certainly be missed by my friends and family – we always arrive pretty mob handed, lots of people heading in from Merseyside and Manchester, linking up with others from far and wide. I have to say that the production and artist liaison was outstanding this year, everyone invested in what they’re doing and setting the right environment for those performing. Special thanks to Amy and Jenna, such lovely people to be looking after you.

The full recording is now up on SoundCloud, available to stream/download. It was a gig that was sandwiched between an afternoon talk in the Dome Gallery and closing the VIP area between 11-1, which was big fun!

I really hope Festival No.6 will be back after a year’s hiatus, there's nothing quite like it. If not there’ll be many happy memories of gigs in a variety of special spaces. Its surreal quality is something that sets it apart, and all the creative set-building in the world can only provide a façade of what here is real and permanent. 

But even with all that, it comes down to the crowds you play for, and those at No.6 make the most of the surroundings, regardless of the weather, partying through a weekend like no other. Thanks to all of you who’ve partied away to the tunes I’ve played there during the past 6 years on this spectacular festival site.

FESTIVAL NO.6 VILLAGE LIMITS PORTMEIRION 09.09.18 (greg wilson live mix)

Recording from the Glitterbox closing party at Hi in Ibiza 28.09.18.

GLITTERBOX CLOSING PARTY @ HI IBIZA 28.09.18 (greg wilson live mix)

Annual selection from Greg Wilson, now in its 7th year, listing 20 of the edits and reworks that have featured in his DJ sets during 2018. For further information:
http://blog.gregwilson.co.uk/2019/01/20-choice-edits-reworks-2018/

1.Rufus & Chaka Khan - Stay (Frankee More Rework)
2.Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Dr Packer Rework)
3.Nese Karabocek - Yali Yali (Oliver Ferdinand Edit)
4.Gino Soccio - Dancer (Late Nite Tuff Guy Rework)
5.Two Man Sound - Que Tal America (Get Down Edits Rework)
6.Harvey Mason - Groovin’ You (Dr Packer Rework)
7.Linda Clifford - Runaway Love (Greg Wilson & Henry Greenwood Rework)
8.Funkadelic - (Not Just) Knee Deep (Shit Hot Soundsystem Rework)
9.Donald Byrd - Change (Makes You Want To Hustle) (Misiu Rework)
10.Marshall Hain - Dancing In The City (Greg Wilson & Henry Greenwood Rework)
11.Crown Heights Affair - Say A Prayer For Two (Andy Buchan Rework)
12.El Coco - Mondo Disco (Greg Wilson & Henry Greenwood Rework)
13.Titanic – Sultana (Alex Zuiev Rework)
14.Roy Ayers - Running Away (Young Pulse Edit)
15.Unique - What I Got Is What You Need (Dr Packer Rework)
16.Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - The Bottle (Mikeandtess Edit)
17.T Connection - At Midnight (Get Down Edits Rework)
18.MFSB - Love Is The Message (Moon Rocket & Re-Tide Rework)
19.Rose Royce - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is (Jarred Gallo Rework)
20.Aquarian Dream - You’re A Star (Mikeandtess Edit)

GREG WILSON'S 20 CHOICE EDITS & REWORKS 2018

Greg Wilson live from the Burial Ground at Lost Village 2018.

YouTube 🌲📺🌲 www.youtube.com/lostvillage

Website 🌲💻🌲 www.lostvillagefestival.com

Greg Wilson

hhbrighton