The Best Of 83

The Biggest Underground Club Tunes From 1983

http://soundcloud.com/gregwilson/the-best-of-83-by-greg-wilson

Although it may sound pretty rough around the edges by today’s standards, Greg Wilson’s “Best of 83” mix was viewed as groundbreaking back in the day (as was the previous year’s “Best of 82”), and revered as inspirational by a new generation of DJs who’d take up where he left off. These end of year mixes would become something of a tradition on Piccadilly Radio (later Key 103), which broadcast throughout the North-West of England, with the series continuing on into the next decade. Courtesy of Chad Jackson (84/85) and Stu Allan (86-92), including DJKA’s mix in ’87.

The mixes focused on the biggest tracks played on the black music scene during the previous year, “Best of 83” cramming in as many floorfillers as possible (even if it only be a brief snippet) from the main clubs of the time, Wigan Pier and Legend in Manchester.

Greg at Legend (Photo by David Lubich)

1. MARY JANE GIRLS — All Night Long
2. THE GAP BAND — Outstanding
3. MTUME — Juicy Fruit
4. S.O.S BAND — Just Be Good To Me
5. B BOYS — Two, Three, Break
6. THE PACKMAN — I’m The Packman
7. NEWCLEUS — Jam On Revenge (The Wikki Wikki Song)
8. INGRAM — DJ’s Delight
9. WRECKIN’ CREW — Chance To Dance
10. CASHMERE — Do It Anyway You Wanna
11. THE SYSTEM — You Are In My System
12. FATBACK — Is This The Future?
13. THE RAKE — Street Justice
14. INDEEP — Last Night A DJ Saved My Life
15. AURRA — Baby Love
16. RP BAND — You Are In My System
17. TIME ZONE — The Wildstyle
18. HERBIE HANCOCK — Rockit
19. B BOYS — Cuttin’ Herbie
20. THE WEBBOES — Under The Wear
21. ADVANCE — Take Me To The Top
22. BOOKER NEWBERRY III — Love Town
23. BRASS CONSTRUCTION — Walking The Line
24. PURE ENERGY — Spaced Out
25. MAN PARRISH — Hip Hop Be Bop (don’t stop)
26. TWO SISTERS — B Boys Beware
27. GRANDMASTER & MELLE MEL — White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It)
28. G.L.O.B.E & WHIZ KID — Play That Beat Mr DJ
29. TONEY LEE — Reach Up
30. SANDY KERR — Thug Rock
31. I LEVEL — Give Me
32. SALSOUL ORCHESTRA — Ooh I Love It
33. DAVID JOSEPH — You Can’t Hide Your Love
34. UNIQUE — What I Got Is What You Need
35. TWO SISTERS — High Noon
36. C.O.D — In The Bottle
37. SHANNON — Let The Music Play
38. WEEKS & CO — If You’re Looking For Fun
39. TONEY LEE — Love So Deep
40. JAZZY DEE — Get On Up
41. VISUAL — The Music Got Me
42. SHARON REDD — Love How You Feel
43. KASHIF — I Just Gotta Have You
44. FREEEZE — I-Dub-U
45. SOUL SONIC FORCE — Looking For The Perfect Beat
46. TOM BROWN — Rockin’ Radio
47. CAPTAIN ROCK — The Return Of Captain Rock
48. MIDNIGHT STAR — Freak-A-Zoid
49. CANDIDO — Jingo Breakdown
50. CAPTAIN RAPP — Bad Times (I Can’t Stand It)
51. SHIRLEY LITES — Heat You Up
52. D TRAIN — Music
53. CHOCOLATE MILK — Who’s Getting It Now
54. HOT STREAK — Body Work
55. CLASS ACTION — Weekend
56. RUN-DMC — It’s Like That
57. HASHIM — Al-Naafiysh
58. THE JONZUN CREW — We Are The Jonzun Crew