The Rob in question is Rob Gretton: Joy Division-New Order manager and Factory-Hacienda lynch-pin who sadly died of a heart attack in 1999. Frustrated at his partner Tony Wilson’s reluctance to release house music on Factory, Gretton started his own label, launching in January, 1991 with ‘Security’ by the Beat Club, remixed with extra vocals by New Order’s Bernard Sumner. Gretton mostly focused on local talent, given a handy financial boost in 1993 when Sub Sub’s ‘Ain’t No Love [Ain’t No Use]’ made the top three. He launched the Pleasure offshoot for the harder stuff and, for the rest of the decade, showcased the Manchester underground dance scene with often world class results. This nostalgia-prodding compilation presents 13 label highlights, kicking off with Sub Sub, also including A Certain Ratio, Mr Scruff’s ‘Chicken In A Box’ debut, Beat Club, J-Walk, Strangebrew and Digital Justice’s ‘Theme From It’s All Gone Pear-Shaped’, which so impressed Derrick May he licensed it for his Fragile label and was Weatherall’s tune of choice to bring in the new millennium. Respect from the US continued when Chicago housers Roy Davis Jnr and Jay Juniel licensed their ‘Egyptian Jazz’ to Pleasure in 1997. Gretton’s major contribution to Manchester’s dance scene is often overshadowed by his other achievements so this sparkling compilation comes as both timely reminder and heart-felt tribute.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
