Graeme Prk and Mike Picking Live at the Hacienda August 1989

Graeme Parke & Mike Pickering, Nude Party at the Hacienda August 1989 (YSI link) large file (200+MB)

In lieu of an Essential Mix this week, I figured I'd just give you an essential mix. See, see what I did there with the capitalization, so nice. Anyway, I feel like this is a good way to kick off some posts in honor of Tony Wilson, an amazing mix from a defining party at the club he built and made, The Hacienda. The place was the brainchild of Wilson, Rob Gretton and New Order, as the Factory Records people felt that the city of Manchester had no club that was to their liking, playing the music they wanted to hear. In the 16 years of its existence (May 1982-September 1998), it would become an epicenter for club culture, the place that gave birth to 'Madchester', UK acid house, influenced numerous DJs and parties and clubs and was the subject of a film, 24 Hour Party People.

It wasn't always so legendary. In fact, in the beginning, it was a bust, drawing few people, lacking any great party that people had to be at. That would all change when Mike Pickering finally decided to take matters into his own hands and do his own Friday night party. Nude would quickly become the night, bringing in thousands to hear the introduction of Chicago house music to Manchester. It would soon become the night, the one that put the club on the map and gave it the buzz that would lead to its peak years at the end of the eighties, when the rave scene took over the world. Pickering would eventually join with Graeme Parke, and those two would hold it down until the early 90s.

This mix isn't just of historical interest; it's an amazing mix that captures the sound of the Nude party, a little bit of the energy that existed during the night and a lesson on how to DJ. What struck me most about this mix is the prevalence of hip-hop music; there's an assumption that dance music and hip-hop are distinct worlds and never the twain shall meet. Well, Pickering and Parke clearly don't think so and they show you how seamless and connected the two musics are. Deep down, I feel like that is the mission of this blog, too. It's one of the best mixes I've put up here, I really do hope that everyone takes the time, downloads and listens. It's a chance to hear two DJs at the top of their game, at a legendary party, in front of a packed house of dancers and clubbers. What more could you ask for, besides being there yourself?