Greg Wilson

In terms of impact upon the British dance music scene, there are very few people that can rival the level of influence exerted by Greg Wilson.

Pick out any number of notable trends that have swept the nation during Greg's 40-year career and often you'll find his footprint stamped all over them. From spearheading the disco revival to first pioneering a DJing technique called 'mixing' (you may have heard of it) in the UK, Greg consistently operates at the forefront of dance music, shaping the industry as we know it.

Greg was introduced to the scene from a young age. His family home growing up was situated above the pub his parents ran, and he would keenly observe the mobile disco-soundtracked functions that took place there every week.

He started DJing in local clubs at the age of 15, before making the move to mainland Europe to take up marathon residencies at clubs in Germany, Norway and Denmark, often playing straight through from the 9pm open to 6am close. A founding member of the notional stamina crew.

A move back to his homeland in 1980 saw Greg showcase his skills at legendary northern clubs such as Wigan Pier, The Haçienda and the nominatively determined Manchester spot Legend.

People would travel from all over the country to watch the master in action during a time when the political importance of clubs skyrocketed. Thatcher's Britain was dawning cruelly and an escape from the hardship of daily life was needed more than ever for a disillusioned and oppressed youth. Clubs became one of the few spaces left where it was possible to truly express yourself, and Greg presided as a key conductor of this liberation. The man who freed the raves.

At the end of 1983 he prematurely hung up his headphones and retired from DJing, before thankfully reversing his decision twenty years later and immediately striding back into prominence.

Conscious of not wanting to be 'DJ Fossil' or 'Mr Nostalgia', he started updating the golden-era disco tracks he loved for modern audiences, quickly becoming heralded as 'King of the Edit' for the flair and finesse with which he achieved this, forerunning the nu-disco movement that is flourishing today.

He also lectured at the RBMA in Melbourne in 2006 where he took a shine to a young Russian artist by the name of Nina Kraviz and ended up releasing her first ever record the following year. Like we said, his influence is everywhere.

To mark the occasion of forty years in the industry, on December 5 Greg is joining forces with another important dance music institution, club night Freeze, to perform a special five-hour set at The Garage in Liverpool. Freeze is celebrating its own anniversary of 10 years of operation so expect a wild and unmissable occasion filled to the brim with party vibes.

As a taster, you can exclusively download a new Greg Wilson mix below. Recorded live from a set at London club The Nest last month, it features many of his killer edits, alongside reworks from other old disco heads such as Derek Kaye and staples of the modern scene Todd Terje and Late Nite Tuff Guy. Get into the groove below.

The first album on Greg's label, Super Weird Substance, compiling all 8 singles to date, was released earlier this month

Tracklist:
1. Salsoul Orchestra - Getaway (Appo rework)
2. Blind Arcade - Give It Away (gw & Peza mix)
3. The Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian (Todd Terje edit)
4. Deeelicious - Ridin' High (Fingerman rework)
5. Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (Luxxury rework)
6. Jackson Sisters - I Believe In Miracles (Dot 40 rework)
7. Shreddie Murphy - Kendrick Ain't Stressed
8. Sweet Tooth T - She Can't Love You / C'mon Sway (gw mix)
9. Gino Soccio - Try It Out (Shit Hot Soundsystem rework)
10. Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy (Fingerman edit)
11. Unlimited Touch - I Hear Music In The Street (Fingerman edit)
12. Boz Scaggs - Lowdown (get down edit)
13. Psychemagik - Mink & Shoes (gw ruff edit)
14. Al Hudson / One Way - Music (hotbath edit)
15. Jimmy Bo - Horne Spank (Hawk edit)
16. The Emotions - The Best Of My Love (v rework)
17. Revelation - Feel It (Late Nite Tuff Guy rework)
18. Sister Sledge - Lost In Music (dsd rework)
19. Earth Wind & Fire - Sing A Song (Derek Kaye rework)
20. Chris Malinchak - So Good To Me

Recorded live at The Nest, Dalston, London 16.10.15

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