Taking to the decks for a strictly vinyl only session, Graeme Park previews the Haçienda Classics Christmas Party at Sankeys Tues 28th December by revisiting anthemic rare and much sought after twelves, recently recovered by Parky and dusted off for this mix which proves a collection of classics especially composed by Graeme to replicate his late Eighties performances, and vinyl skills as he mines the original late Eighties tunes he first played at The Garage in Nottingham and then at the Haç from 1988.

Using three technics turntables, a Korg effects pad and his own ten digits, Graeme pulls off a live mix full of the rich sound textures that come with playing off vinyl in an expertly recorded mix whose quality far outstrips the multiple generation tape dubs that exist online.

As Graeme’s spoken word intro gives ways to a sultry, elemental acid house opener “The Definition Of A Track” whose bassline groove sounds sounds familiar to Suburban Knight’s “The Art Of Stalking”, the splendid early Decon classic of “Sha-Lor” follows, as its ethereal vocal and subliminal techno vibes still mark it out as an essential Hacienda tune. Early soulful vocal tracks from On The House, and Fallout highlights GP’s taste for the finest US garage cuts and jazzy Victor Simonelli type pianos before the techno funk and rhythmic tribal flavours of Lenny D & Tommy Musto’s “Everything Bamboo” takes proceedings on an excursion into the timeless Chicago and Detroit legacy as Graeme drops seminal slabs of early techno history from Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, and pulls a Parkside reworking of Fast Eddie’s “Acid Thunder”.

As Graeme’s oldschool and intuitive mixing skills cut through the decks and echoing bass sounds coupled to minimalist acid lines remind the listener of the starting points of Ritchie Hawtin and Plus 8 before the close, Parky pulls two of Fac 51’s finest vocal moments, the stripped back US club smash Jomanda’s “(Make My) Body Rock” that because synonymous with the Fac 51 dancefloor, before rounding off an exhilarating hour with the diva-esque vocal of Liz Torres on the fiercely proud “What You Make Me Feel”.

Tracklisting – Graeme Park’s Vinyl Fixation Mix Volume One

THE DEFINITION OF A TRACK (Back-Room Mix), Back-Room
I’M IN LOVE (Conservative Mix), Sha-lor
GIVE ME BACK THE LOVE (Club Mix), On The House
THE MORNING AFTER (Sunrise Mix), Fallout
EVERYTHING BAMBOO, Lenny D & Tommy Musto
ACID THUNDER, “Fast” Eddie
R- THEME, R. Tyme
BOUNCE YOUR BODY TO THE BOX, Reese & Santonio
MA FOOM BEY (Love Chant Version), Cultural Vibe
STRING FREE (Club LeRoy Mix), Phortune
MAKE MY BODY ROCK (Basic Version), Jomanda
WHAT YOU MAKE ME FEEL (Fierce Mix), Liz Torres

This mix was recorded live in one take using three Technics SL 1210 turntables, Korg Kaos pad and 12” vinyl records.

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