Favourite Records

Mike tells us about his favourite records and why.

Koxo Klub Band - Makes You Blind [American Records]

I first heard this record on the dancefloor of the Hacienda in 1988/89. The track samples the Glitter Band’s - Makes You Blind, which was a Larry Levan classic from the Paradise Garage era. This still works the floor today.

Bocca Junior - Raise [Junior Boys Own]

This is a perfect warm up record for the start of the night. A classic Balearic track from the British Junior Boys Own. A golden era for the label as they produced the goods time after time. Raise brought screams from the dancefloor everytime the crowd heard it coming in.

3D - Anytime [Xpress Records]

I first heard Steve Williams play this a couple of times around 1989 but find a copy, I left a request with one of the lads in Vinyl Exchange and about 2 months later he contacted me explaining they had found one and I could buy it for £10. I snatched his hand off and the rest is history, a stone cold Legends classic. Years later I remixed 3D. It wasn’t that straight forward, when we contacted Xpress records who were owned by Warlock records, they had no idea who the original producers were and where the vocals were from originally. I had to sample the vocals using the technology available then and over lay them over the trackI had created. I have never been happy with the remix I did.

Beat Busters - Let Me Tell You Something [Tempo Italy]

This is a classic Italian record; one that just blew the roof off when the piano drops in. This probably defines Legends for me; a happy record that brings a smile to your face whenever you hear it, and one that is forever in the hearts of anyone who was a regular of the club. Check out the Legends bootleg mix to see what I am talking about when that piano comes in.

4 For Money - It’s a Moment in Time [Tempo Italy]

Another big Italian tune which I first heard in the Hacienda played out by Mike Pickering. I remember going to Eastern Bloc with Steve Williams and the lads behind the counter saying “have you got this? you really need it!� People often forget these sounds were ahead for its time and nothing like it had been heard before, blowing the roof off, which it did when I played it out at the first Legends Reunion.

The Grid - Intergalatica [Grid UK]

One of the first real anthems played at Legends in 1990. The crowd went mad when ever they heard this and will be forever etched in the hearts of the crowd. When I talk to people who were regulars at the club about this track, the hairs on their arms stand up! that’s what the Music did to you!

Ritchie Havens – Going Back to my roots [White Label USA]

Original released in the U.S.A. in 1981 this is another of those records that define Legends. It’s a beautiful record that works on any open minded dance floor. A true legends anthem, this was the last record at the reunion in May 2005.

T99 - Invisible Sensuality [PIAS]

This is one of those records that people say they only ever heard in Legends. It still sounds good today. One of the early warm up Balearic tracks nobody would of guessed it was T99 post Invisble Sensuality, the produced tough sounding rave records! I’m glad they produced this. File this under “Legends classic�.

Saint Ettiene - Only Love Can Break Your Heart [Heavenly Mix]

The mix of Weatherall mix is a real gem; when the words “The DJ eases a spliff from his lyrical lips and smilingly orders cease� the crowd went wild. This is a cover of the Neil Young track Only Love Can Break Your Heart. Go buy After the Gold Rush by Neil Young, it’s one of the best albums ever.

Formicula 4 - Stroboid Over [PBI Records]

Looking over this chart I noticed a lot of the tracks are really nice and kind of melodic numbers, but the Legends crowd got used to us throwing anything at them and here’s one that used to take the roof off, a banging German techno track with the name Stroboid Over, that had the words “Stroboid the musical phenoneman bang your head to the beat of the drum� and that “noise� just blew the place apart.

IF? - Saturdays Angels [MCA]

A great track that pretty much sums up the diversity of the music played at Legends. A Indie-House bomb which set the night on fire.

Amii Stewart - Lost it [4 to the floor]

This track has it all, the drums, the bassline, the piano and ultimately the vocal. A true Legends track that I think think was themed for the club.

Amor Suave - Amor Suave [DJ Atomico Herbie Remix]Â

This simple breakbeat bassline driven monster simply bangs things up another gear!I can play it again and again and never get bored of it. A firm favourite of mine.

Depth Charge - Bounty Killers [Vinyl Solution]

I first heard Richard Garvin play this is a track. When the bass drops on this mother you’ll feel the earth shake!

Under 99 - Free [Whole Records]Â

Beautiful Italian Balearic house with a soaring saxophone. A true atmospheric track that sends shivers down your spine.

Jimmy Somerville - Comment Te Dire Adieu [Kevin Saunderson Remix] [London Records]

This is a haunting track with Kevin Saunderson on the remix. It has one of those amazing piano loops that just stays in your heard when you first hear it.

Pret-A-Porter - Mystere De L’Amour [Groove Groove Melody]Â

A classic Italian track that has stood the test of time with its vocal and string arrangement.

Megatonk - Belgium [Kai Tonk Records]

I first heard Dave Seamen play this on a Thursday night called Fresh at Legends. I asked him what it was at the end of the night, and he kindly gave me his copy. A different kind of house track with a infectious melody.

Edward “Get Downâ€? Crosby - It’s Party Time [SRO]Â

A Steve Williams track which he sold to Mike. An American Acid house stormer which gets right under your skin when under the influence. It took me 15 years to get hold of this record, better late than never!

Ariel - Sea Of Beats [Creed]

A stone cold Legends classic. Another track that was so different in the making. You can hear this time and time again and never get bored. Ariel was a band featuring Tom Rowlands on drums from the Chemical Brothers before he moved to Manchester.