Throwback Thursday: Greg Wilson Essential Mix 2009

Image: Ian Tilton

Over the last twenty odd years the Essential Mix has been an instrumental focus of clubland. A weekly dosage of the finest DJs across the planet, they’ve been a litany of documents of everything great and good about the weekend escapism which dominated our lives.

The nineties proved to be the heyday for DJ mixes as an art form, and the Essential Mix was a vital component of this golden age. Listening to Paul Oakenfold live from Cream offers an insight to the fervour that defined superclubbing at its most epochal, and the old fashioned construction and playful brilliance of Daft Punk’s effort in 1997 showcases the duo at their effervescent peak.

Week after week, you hung on the broadcast of the show and avidly circulated cassette copies of the recording to get you through the trudge of 9-5 life.

It’s not been quite as essential as it used to be, but 2009 saw a bolt to the show with an offering which we think might just be the greatest effort ever.

Greg Wilson showcased his 120 minutes on the BBC Radio One airwaves to offer a tantalising snapshot into thirty years of clubbing expertise, a thrilling history lesson that oozed funk at every orifice. Stream it above, and if you find yourself doing anything other than grinning and bopping then clearly dance music isn’t made for you.

Wilson’s Ronseal-lite appeal as a DJ hinges on the blend of the obscure with a gentle air of familiarity, his carefully constructed sets very deliberately raiding the canon of popular music alongside a bevvy of records from the past.

Very much the historian (check his brilliant blog for a consistent stream of essay standard musings on music), it’s a refreshing departure from the usual trainspotter ethic and a reminder that dance music is supposed to be fun. This Essential Mix is the perfect encapsulation of that aesthetic, and an utter joy form start to finish.

Greg’s upcoming DJ schedule sees him join the Bicep boys for their residency at XOYO and headlining a Southport Weekender reunion in Birmingham. It's been a busy festival season for him but it's not over yet, he's at Bestival and Festival Number 6 where he'll showcase his Super Weird project. 

Greg Wilson – we salute you.

Like this? Check out Skiddle Mix 012 - Greg Wilson (live from the Wickerman Festival).

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