Description
“A UK equivalent of Vince Aletti’s brilliant Disco File: Hamilton is thorough, eclectic, and totally tuned into the dance floor.” – Jon Savage
“This book is a marvel – real slices of British social history, month by month. Get it while you can.” – Bob Stanley
“A beautiful and important piece of work that I’m sure will become as valuable and cherished as Vince Aletti’s Disco Files compilation.” – Tim Lawrence
“Major and historic!” – Vince Aletti
“As a forceful evangelist of the wonders of mixing, it was James Hamilton who drove its development in the UK more than anyone” – Bill Brewster
“An endlessly intriguing glimpse into a forgotten world of ‘70s and ‘80s nightlife, filled with unexpected details.” – Alexis Petridis
“It’s a real achievement. It’s just so comprehensive…incredible detail.” – Irvine Welsh
“It’s as in-depth as it gets. Essential reading.” – Faith Fanzine
“He was an almanac, without question. A most under-estimated individual, who needs accolade.” – Morgan Khan
“James Hamilton kept us abreast of what was being played in Morecambe, Ipswich Wolverhampton, Dunstable and Rotherham, as well as London. He knew it was all significant.” – Bob Stanley
“He was the king of the BPM.” – Dylan Jones
James Hamilton’s Disco Pages 1975-1982 is as close-in as you can possibly get to the evolution of UK club culture as it unfolded through the disco and jazz-funk years, and on into the more electronic early 1980s, his weekly Record Mirror column required reading for any self-respecting British DJ. A giant in both physical stature and reputation, Hamilton was once the single most influential UK dance music industry figure, due to the sheer reach of his column – a mantle later taken up by Pete Tong, given the scope of his radio presence.
His relevance waned with the rave explosion, by which point dedicated dance music magazines that he’d helped inspire had negated the previous essential nature of his column. He died in 1996, a forgotten figure for the following generations of DJs, unaware of the weight of his contribution – his name conspicuous by its absence from a history he did so much to help create.
A weighty hardback tome, in excess of 500 pages, the book includes over 5000 record reviews, from (then soon to be) classics to rare gems and curios – a comprehensive history of dance music in itself, complete with a multi-source index for quick off-the-shelf reference. Monthly and end of year charts list all the most popular club tracks of the period, whilst Hamilton’s news section provides a rolling lowdown on developments within the DJ/club realm and the wider dance music industry.
As far as the UK experience is concerned, this is the principal reference book for the era, fundamental to our understanding of the British lineage and its unique unfolding. As Pete Tong would comment on James’ death, “No-one has ever got close to him in terms of respect as a journalist. I think the reason he had authority was because he’d been around for so long, he was drawing on such a wealth of knowledge that even if you didn’t agree with what he said, you had to respect his opinion”.
James Hamilton’s Disco Pages 1975-1982 was published on December 9th 2024 by SWS Books, priced £30.
All books posted via tracked 1st class mail in secure wrap-around recyclable cardboard packaging. For larger amounts email info@superweirdsubstance.com.
This is the companion book to James Hamilton’s Dance Pages:
https://superweirdsubstance.com/product/james-hamiltons-dance-pages/
