Interview: “It seemed like something worth celebrating…” Graeme Park on the new Long Live House compilation

Legendary house DJ Graeme Park’s latest compilation, Long Live House Vol. 1: 1980s, was released today, 7 December, on triple CD and double vinyl.

The compilation was inspired by Graeme’s 1980s residencies at clubs like The Garage in Nottingham, Manchester’s The Haçienda and The Leadmill in Sheffield, as well as the myriad of club nights the Aberdeen native used to guest at.

Regulars to 909originals will know that we have a close connection to Graeme, as we feature his Long Live House mix shows on the site on a weekly basis.

We caught up with the great man to learn more about how Long Live House Vol. 1: 1980s came together (scroll to the end for the tracklisting and details on how to purchase).

Q. Where did you get the idea to put the Long Live House compilation together?

There are lots of early house racks that get overlooked and forgotten. Tracks that were pivotal in the early house scene and that I love to dig out from time to time. The fact that it’s thirty years since the summer of 1988, when everything came to a head and the UK became one big ‘jacking zone’ seemed like something worth celebrating.

But rather than release a compilation of obvious tunes hat everyone will already have, I thought this would be a better and more appealing way to go.

Q. The album features a number of tracks that have never been available to stream or download before – was it a challenge getting these on the album?

Well, we started trying to get permission to use tracks back in February and it’s taken this long to clear everything. Some of the tracks that are exclusive to the vinyl album have never been available to download – and I’m keeping it that way.

Q. Did you personally reach out to any of the artists on the album seeking permission to use their tracks, and what was the feedback like?

Yes, I had to, after getting nowhere with some of the labels, publishers and rights holders. A lot of favours and strings were pulled, but everyone I spoke to was in.

Q. The album is full of classics, and I have no doubt some of the tracks are linked to particular moments in your career as well?

All of these tracks reflect what I was playing between 1985 and 1989 at The Garage in Nottingham, The Leadmill in Sheffield, 20th Century in Derby, The Fan Club in Leicester and ultimately The Haçienda in Manchester. They each hold special memories for many different reasons.

Q. The cover artwork is borrowed from the ‘acid house blueprint’ art produced earlier this year by We Are Dorothy – how long after seeing that did you say ‘I have to put that on an album?’

The Dorothy print was published just as Warner Music asked me about artwork, and it seemed like the perfect choice. Thankfully Dorothy agreed.

Q. Are you going to be bringing the Long Live House concept on tour next year?

Haçienda Classical has taken up so much time for the past three years, but you’ll still find me behind the decks most weekends in a club somewhere. There are plans for a Long Live House tour next year, but I’m already working on next year’s Haçienda Classical show and that’s months of work. However, if you visit my website, www.thisisgraemepark.com you can find out where to catch me on the decks in the coming weeks and months.

Q. The Long Live House compilation is subtitled Volume 01: 1980s. Are we to assume that the next volume will focus on the 90s… or are there more 80s gems that you want to put out there on a Volume 2?

Wait and see… 🙂

Long Live House Vol. 1: 1980s can be purchased at www.thisisgraemepark.com. CD priced at £9.99 and Vinyl priced at £24.99.

CD Release

Disc: 1

1. Music Is the Key (House Key) – JM Silk
2. If You Only Knew (If You Dance Club Mix) – Chip E
3. R-Theme (Dramatic Mix) – R-Tyme
4. SUBMIT (To the Beat) [New Remix] – Groove
5. Bounce Your Body to the Box (Power Hit Extended Mix) – Reese & Santonio
6. What You Make Me Feel (feat. Jammin Jason) [Fierce Club 12” Mix] – Liz Torres
7. Definition of a Track – Precious
8. Pleasure Control – On The House
9. Nude Photo – Rhtyhim is Rhythim
10. Who Needs a Love Like That (Groove Remix) – Cut The Q
11. Donnie (Hardy Mix) – The IT
12. It’s Over (Club 12” Mix) – Fingers Inc.

Disc: 2

1. Let’s Go (Don’t You Want Some More?) [Fast Mix Eddie] – Fast Eddie
2. Communicate (AT&T Mix) – Full House
3. It’s U (Sample Club 12” Mix) – Farley Jackmaster Funk & Ricky Dillard
4. Truth of Self Evidence (Extended Mix) – Reese & Santonio
5. Stand By Me (feat. Valentino) [Jumpin’ Dub] – Julian ”Jumpin” Perez
6. How Far I Go (Dub Mix) – Peter Black
7. Right Back to You (Extended Version) – Ten City
8. Make My Body Rock (Feel It) [Basic Mix] – Jomanda
9. The Acid Life – Farley Jackmaster Funk
10. Do the Do (Do the Flutes) [Club 12” Mix] – Marshall Jefferson Presents Dancing Flutes
11. I’m in Love (Conservative Version) – Sha-Lor
12. In the Mix – Mix Masters

Disc: 3

1. Security (Midnight Club Mix) – The Beat Club
2. Acid Thunder (Smooth Thunder) [Joe Smooth Mix] – Fast Eddie
3. R U Hot Enough – Virgo
4. Jack the Groove – Raze
5. Dream 17 (Edit) – Annette
6. Thank Ya – Sweet D
7. Shaker Song – Playtime Toons AKA Trevor Fung
8. Cuban Jackkin’ – Rio Rhythm Band
9. Can U Dance (feat. Fast Eddie Smith) – Kenny ‘Jammin’ Jason
10. House Arrest (The Beat Is the Law) – Krush
11. The Groove That Won’t Stop – Kevin Saunderson
12. Don’t Wanna Go (Mike Dunn’s Vocal Mix) – Sterling Void

Vinyl Release

Disc: 1

1. Music Is the Key (House Key) – JM Silk
2. If You Only Knew (If You Dance Club Mix) – Chip E
3. Bounce Your Body to the Box (Power Hit Extended Mix) – Reese & Santonio
4. SUBMIT (To the Beat) [New Remix] – Groove

Disc: 2

1. Definition of a Track – Precious
2. Uh-Uh Ooh-Ooh Look Out (Here It Comes) [Steve Hurley House Mix] – Roberta Flack
3. Who Needs a Love Like That (Groove Remix) – Cut The Q
4. The Groove That Won’t Stop – Kevin Saunderson

Disc: 3

1. Let’s Go (Don’t You Want Some More?) [Fast Mix Eddie] – Fast Eddie
2. Do the Do (Do the Flutes) [Club 12” Mix] – Marshall Jefferson Presents Dancing Flutes
3. I’m in Love (Conservative Version) – Sha-Lor
4. In the Mix – Mix Masters

Disc: 4

1. Security (Midnight Club Mix) – The Beat Club
2. Acid Thunder (Smooth Thunder) [Joe Smooth Mix] – Fast Eddie
3. Jack the Groove – Raze
4. Don’t Wanna Go (Mike Dunn’s Vocal Mix) – Sterling Void

Graeme Park’s weekly Long Live House mix will be published on 909originals tomorrow (Saturday).

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