Description:

The first in a series “showcasing the most influential and culturally relevant clubs from around the world – clubs that had a massive impact on the development of music and club culture as we’ve come to know it” celebrates the life and times of Manchester’s legendary Haçienda, or, to give it its full name, Fac 51 Haçienda. Opened in 1982 based on grandiose bohemian ideals, the Haçienda being a term used in the cult The Situationalist International Handbook to describe an utopian co-operative community, it shuddered to the sound of a superstar DJ for the final time 15 years later. A former yacht showroom on the corner of Whitworth Street West and Albion Street it’s since been converted into a block of luxury apartments.

Which means?

Tony Wilson once said: “Someone had to take Black American music, add irony and English rock.” He was talking about the Happy Mondays, but his words could just as easily apply to the ethos of Fac 51 Haçienda. Except nobody’s told “dance music connoisseur Ian Dewhirst” who put together this compilation of the Hacienda’s eclectic set list.

Is it much cop?
Despite the best intentions Dewhirst occasionally comes a cropper. Think Operation Good Guys. Except listening to Dewhirst’s mistakes aren’t as half as fun watching as D.I. Beach and team cocking up yet again.

How many good tracks?

15 out of 23, 8 out of 12 on Disc 1 and 7 out of 11 on Disc 2. Given the recent BNP gains in Barking, Heaven 17’s ‘(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thing’ sounds as relevant as ever. And the Manchester massive will be cheered by the inclusion of local heroes 808 State’s ‘Pacific State’ as they will be by New Order’s instrumental version of ‘Blue Monday’, ‘The Beach’.

And the worst?
The Peech Boys’ ‘Don’t Make Me Wait’. There’s a reason this NY funk-rock outfit remained underground. A reason that will become immediately apparent upon hearing this main offender of a track.
Biggest disappointment?
The Madchester scene, which the Haçienda spawned, is conspicuous by its absence on this album. The Happy Mondays and/or Stone Roses would have brightened up this compilation no end. Their omission is more keenly felt as this album stretches to two discs.

Verdict:
There’s a great album to be made utilizing what they used to play at Fac 51 Haçienda. Unfortunately, despite the endorsement of club founders Tony Wilson and New Order, this isn’t it. Yet contributions from the likes of former Haçienda DJs, Mike Pickering, Dave Haslam, Greg Wilson and Graeme Park ensure it’s a good album at least.

(3½/5)