This re-release was planned to celebrate the Hacienda’s 25th anniversary but Tony Wilson’s untimely death adds extra poignancy to a three-CD package which actually manages to capture the club’s incendiary vibe thanks to the non-stop euphoria of Peter Hook’s immaculate selection and mixing. On a good night the Hac was like nowhere on Earth, a hotbed of dancing, drugs, whistle-blowing, tears and full-throttle anthems, setting the benchmark for UK clubs. ‘Our kids will never be wilder than us’, Hooky quite rightly points out. The suitably yellow and black-clad package transcends mere compilation, gem following gem to mercilessly build delirious plateaux of dancefloor heaven. The Hac was first to embrace the new sounds from Chicago and Detroit, well-represented here by names like Farley Jackmaster Funk, Joe Smooth, Rhythim Is Rhythim and Mr Fingers, but the UK more than answers back with Orbital, Primal Scream, Happy Mondays, FSOL, 808 State and two from New Order, Confusion steering into Rockers’ Revenge’s Walking On Sunshine to provide one of countless arms aloft moments. There’s so much but last tune is Candi Staton’s You Got The Love, which says it all really. Tony and late partner Rob Gretton couldn’t have asked for a better tribute.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: KRIS NEEDS
