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Mike Atkinson

@whichdecadetops.bsky.social
392 followers 180 following 297 posts

Podcasts: Which Decade Is Tops For Pops?, Record Mirror Disco Charts Books: James Hamilton's Disco Pages, 1975-1982 / Dance Pages 1983-1989 linktr.ee/mikeatkinson1

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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Tom Jones, Donna Summer, Rick Astley, Puff Daddy, Kanye West, DJ Khaled/Rihanna. (Or: Lonnie Donegan, Giorgio Moroder, Stock Aitken Waterman, The Police, Daft Punk, Santana.) Big hitters, massive samples, problematic characters, reputations both won and lost. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
I'll Never Fall In Love Again - Tom Jones
I Feel Love - Donna Summer
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy & Faith Evans
Stronger - Kanye West
Wild Thoughts - DJ Khaled ft Rihanna & Bryson Tiller
041
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Early Chicago House Classics, with Marshall Jefferson shows.acast.com/record-mirro... Check the ALT text for a full description of this special episode, where we look at the tunes that were rocking The Warehouse, Muzic Box and Power Plant, just before Chicago acts started making their own music.
For this special episode, Chicago house pioneer Marshall Jefferson joins co-hosts Greg Wilson and Mike Atkinson, as we take through a list of eighteen early Chicago house classics: compiled and supplied to James Hamilton by Jesse Saunders and Vince Lawrence, and published in Record Mirror in October 1986.

"You may be amazed", James said at the time, as these tunes - played by Frankie Knuckles at the Warehouse and the Power Plant, and by Ron Hardy at the Muzic Box - belong to the period directly before Chicago acts started making their own music, and represent a canon that was far removed from UK club culture during the same timespan.

As the episode unfolds, we will try to determine what made these tunes "house" music, before the genre was formally defined and codified. You'll also discover that many of the tunes were in fact created by the same pool of people, particularly from the Philadelphia International and Salsoul labels. We also discuss the impact that house music's commercial UK breakthrough in 1986 had on its founding fathers, and we learn more about some of Marshall's own musical inspirations, which lay far beyond the world of dance music.
052
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
For December 1989, we are joined by Terry Farley, whose career was taking off just as James Hamilton was ceding full control at RM. Italo-house and pianos were big, and while some acid pioneers were slowing their BPMs, others were emerging with a different agenda. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts #20, with Terry Farley
062
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Specs wankers.
Dash and Kevin on the terrace.
010
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Many think that 1985 was a dud year for music, and I've always been one of them, but by the time of this November chart, the over-polished, super-glossy hegemony was being punctured, and a lot of these tunes point to fresh ways forward. I learned a lot from this one. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #19 with Luke Una
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
New on Which Decade: a spiritual Bobby, a deep cut chart-topper, a Partridged tick-tick-ticker, a posthumous wake-up call, a lightning in a bottle moment, and stadium rock goes high-concept pop. shows.acast.com/which-decade... Track listing is in the ALT text.
Ginny Come Lately - Brian Hyland
Take Me Bak 'Ome - Slade
It Started With A Kiss - Hot Chocolate
I Drove All Night - Roy Orbison
Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
Princess Of China - Coldplay & Rihanna
030
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Here's a marathon megamix of my favourite new housey dance tunes from the first half of 2026, curated and blended by my own fair hands. www.mixcloud.com/miketd/janua... Track listing in ALT text.
Boogie's in My Soul: Chaka Khan/Snoop Dogg
Home is Where The Hatred Is: Brian Jackson/Masters At Work
Hustle To The Music (Dave Lee Re-Wriggle): Funky Worm
I Feel The Love: Mirko & Meex/Riu Morris
Stand Up: Da Lukas/Stella Brown
Shout (David Morales Vocal Mix): Vernessa Mitchell
Carry Us Away: DJ Fudge
Release (Floorplan Remix): Ten City/Uneq'ka 
Movin' To The Sun: Ultra Naté/Hugel/Imael Angel
Waiting (Dam Swindle Remix): NATE08/Benni Ola
Return To Bhibo: Barry Can't Swim
Jump N' Shout (Gorgon City Mix): Basement Jaxx
Talk To You: ANOTR/54 Ultra
Free Your Mind: Prospa/Cloonee
I Feel So Free (Peggy Gou Energy Mix): Madonna
On 2nite: Silva Bumpa
The Great Gig in the Sky (Jay Bird Edit): Pink Floyd
Fired Up! (Malóne Morez Remix): Funky Green Dogs
Baby: Prospa/Murda Beatz
La La Land: Green Velvet/Genesi/Meduza/Essentia
That Funky Rhythm: DJ PP
My Old Friend Alan (Crates Motel): Kerri Chandler
Bar A Thym: Kerri Chandler
Infinite: Coflo/Emmaculate
Come With Me: DJ Erv
Feelin' Good Tonight (Kai Alcé Remix): Louie Vega/Willy Soul/Funki Cadets
No More Illusions (Genuinely Blaq Mix): Sonny Chiba/Lucid Konversations
Ego Talkin (Shelter X Fuzion Remix): Merlin Bobb/Franke Estevez
Tango Hustle (Dave Lee Latican Hustle): Foreal People
Give Me Your Love: Mark Knight/Jay Vegas
Luv Musica (Luca Guerrieri Remix): Ridney
Get Back To You: Odyssey Inc
Let Me Show You (Slipmatt & Odyssey Inc Remix)	K-Klass/Bobbi Depasois
Diva: Rory Hoy/Charlotte van Leijen
Better Days: Jimi Polo/Michael Gray
Dusty: Geoffrey C/DJ Spen
You're So Sweet: Anané/Christian Mantini
You Are In My System  (Original Deluxe): Kerri Chandler/Mic Murphy
Bad Man (Lovelesss Man Mix): K' Alexi Shelby
Sweat: Dames Brown
It's Alright (Coflo Remix): Oliver Night/Megatronic
I Still Got A Few Miles Ahead Of Me: Kings Of Tomorrow/April Morgan
Echoes Of Love (Deez Re-Echo Mix): DJ Disciple/Anna Lyric/Demarkus Lewis
U (Klassik Jazz Mix): K' Alexi Shelby
I Wanna Stay With You (1976): Gallagher & Lyle
040
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Kerri Chandler was DJing in his early teens, so some of these February 1984 tunes were already in his set. Here, traditional post-disco soul/funk was challenged by the continuing wave of electro-funk, with breakdancing so popular that even our future king joined in. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts podcast #18, with Kerri Chandler
040
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
In the latest Which Decade: piano-augmented Merseybeat, a light-hearted take on mass slaughter, the world's biggest band goes dark, a "nasal" consensus, a renta-rapper imposition, and a "heated debate". shows.acast.com/which-decade...
I Like It - Gerry & The Pacemakers
Rubber Bullets - 10cc
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Dreams - Gabrielle
Bring Me To Life - Evanescence
Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke ft TI & Pharrell
020
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
A year before Theme From S-Express, Mark Moore was DJ-ing at the Mud Club and Pyramid, Heaven's midweek alternative gay night. He joins us to look at a Disco Top 20 from May 1987, when London was Rap City, while the rest of the country was becoming a House Nation. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #17 with Mark Moore
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
In the latest episode of Which Decade Is Tops For Pops?, Frank SInatra, Art Garfunkel and Bobby Brown do battle with Precious, La Roux and Billie Eilish. A strong round, we thought. No idea how the voting is gonna go on this one. shows.acast.com/which-decade... Track listing in ALT text.
My Way - Frank Sinatra
Bright Eyes - Art Garfunkel
Every Little Step - Bobby Brown
Say It Again - Precious
In For The Kill - La Roux
Bad Guy - Billie Eilish
010
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
New on Which Decade: Finger-snapping, glam-inventing, TV-soundtracking, Sixties-pastiching, drive-timing, Roses-sampling goodness, for your enjoyment and evaluation - plus a brand new merch store! shows.acast.com/which-decade... Track listing in ALT text. Voting deadline: 6pm UK time, Mon 18 May.
Lazy River - Bobby Darin
Hot Love - T.Rex
Chi Mai - Ennio Morricone
The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) - Cher
Lovin' Each Day - Ronan Keating
Unorthodox - Wretch 32 ft Example
030
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
In March 1989, before co-founding Defected and Glitterbox, Simon Dunmore was working in James Hamilton's favourite record store, and opening his ears to the soulful garage house which was in the ascendancy, in the aftermath of 1988's acid boom. Take a listen: shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts podcast #16, with Simon Dunmore
040
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
...in particular randomly selected months. All track listings are in the ALT text for each image. You can listen to all of them at www.mixcloud.com/miketd/playl.... Hours of fun! Bookmark and enjoy! (2/2)
November 1986:
Courtney Pine: Children Of The Ghetto
Pressure Point: Mellow Moods
Levert: (Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind
Gap Band: Bop B Da B Da Da
Al Jarreau: Tell Me What I Gotta Do
Janice McClain: Passion & Pain
Chuck Brown: Family Affair
Shinehead: Who The Cap Fit
Bunny Wailer: Back To School
Duke Bootee: Broadway
Maniacs: Bum MCs
Heavy D & The Boyz: Mr Big Stuff
Fission: King Of Swing
Klark Kent: Gettin Busy
Beastie Boys: Slow Ride
Spoonie Gee: That’s My Style
Rappers Convention: The Wiggle
Three The Hardway: Hard Knox
Salt-n-Pepa: Beauty & The Beat
Davis/Pinckney Project: Say No To Drugs
Curtis Hairston: Chillin Out
SOS Band: Even When You Sleep
Janice Christie: Heat Stroke
James D-Train Williams: Misunderstanding
Luther Vandross: See Me
Loose Ends: Nights Of Pleasure
George Benson: Shiver
Jeff Lorber: Facts Of Love
Cameo: Candy
Donna Allen: Serious
Vesta Williams: Once Bitten Twice Shy
Spencer Jones: Miss Friday
Grace Jones: I’m Not Perfect
One Way: You Better Quit
Hindsight: Small Change
Gap Band: Big Fun
Les Lee: Tell Me Can You Love Me
Jenny Burton: Do You Want It Bad Enuff
Pointer Sisters: Goldmine
Dizzi Heights: To The Sound Of The Drum & The Bass
Cleavage: Barah
Cultural Vibe: Mind Games
Libra Libra: I Like It
Gary L: Time (Time To Party)
Private Possession: This Time
MC Shy-D: I’ve Gotta Be Tough
Raze: Let The Music Move U
Mario Reyes: What Ever Turns You On
Fingers Inc: A Path
Indian Ocean: Treehouse/School Bell
Wired: To The Beat Of The Drum
Nice & Wild: Diamond Girl
Isaac Hayes: If You Want My Lovin
Claudja Barry: Down And Counting
Various: Fusion Beats Vol 2
Kurtis Blow: I’m Chillin
Davis/Pinckney Project: You Can Dance (If You Want To)
Vicious Rumor Club: Whole Lotta Love
Original Concept: Pump That Bass
General Kane: Hairdooz
Beastie Boys: It’s The New Style
Mellaa: Free
Freddie Jackson: Have You Ever Loved Somebody
Bunny Sigler: (You’ve Got The) Right Stuff
California Executives: I Don’t Know WhyBionic Boogie: Hot Butterfly
Boogie Down Prods: Stop The Violence
Kool Moe Dee: Wild Wild West
JVCFORCE: Strong Island
Young MC: My Name Is Young
Run DMC: Run's House
Derek B: Bad Young Brother
Prince: Alphabet St
Twin Beat: Let's Pick Up The Pieces
Joyce Sims: Walk Away
Blow: Go
Well Red: MFSB
Break Boys: And The Break Goes On
Taurus Boyz: You Are The One
Black Riot: Warlock
T-Cut-F: House Reaction
Kevin Saunderson: The Sound
JAMs: Burn The Beat
Penthouse 4: Bust This House Down
Was Not Was: Out Come The Freaks Again
Visions: It's A Choice
Johnny Kemp: Just Got Paid
Dave Collins: Good Lovin
Narada: Divine Emotions
Turntable Orch: You're Gonna Miss Me
Raze: Break 4 Love
Ten City: Right Back To You
Julian Jonah: Jealousy & Lies
Will Downing: A Love Supreme (Chasin The Trane)
Raul Orellana: Guitarra
Mac Thornhill: Who's Gonna Ease The Pressure
Mark Imperial: The Love I Lost
Maggotron: Return To The Planet Of Bass
Twat Sisters: Eat My Pussy
Mayday: Nude Photo 88
MLK Project: I Have A Dream
Muff Man: Sit On The Face
Lost In Bass: Out On A Mission
Black Riot: A Day In The Life
James Brown: Payback Mix
Rob Base: It Takes Two
Goldtop: Introduction
Orchestra JB: On A Love Groove
Pedro: Goodfootin
Freak L: Slammin
Run DMC: Beats To The Rhyme
True Mathematics: KAOSS
Jungle Bros: Because I Got It Like That
Jazzy Jeff/Fresh Prince: Here We Go Again
Young MC: I Let Em Know
Kev-E-Kev: Listen To The Man
EPMD: You Gots To Chill
D Moet/X-Calibur: Everything I Own/Dance To Excalibur
Boogie Down Prods: My Philosophy
WG Band: Let's Have Some Fun
EU: Da Butt
Soul II Soul: Fairplay
Blue Moderne: Do That Again
Ten City: One Kiss Will Make It Better
52nd St: I Will Wait
Gwen Guthrie: Can't Love You Tonight
Annette Taylor: It Must Be Right
Mica Paris: My One Temptation
Jean Carne: Let Me Be The One
CCR Crew: The House Slap
Bou Kahn: Magic
Powerhouse: Lost In Space
Off: Electrica Salsa
Rhythim Is Rhythim: Wiggin
Kevin Saunderson: The Groove That Won't Stop
Joe Church: I Can't Wait Too Long
051
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
I've been compiling regular megamixes of tunes reviewed by James Hamilton for Record Mirror... (1/2)
March 1977
BLUE MAGIC: Sideshow
ROSE ROYCE: I Wanna Get Next To You
SMOKEY ROBINSON: There Will Come A Day
ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION: So In To You
WILLIE FISHER: Put Your Lovin’ On Me
TAVARES: Whodunit
BIDDU: Girl You’ll Be A Woman Soon
NYTRO: What It Is
D.C. LARUE: Overture (All We Need Is Love)
TONY ETORIA: I Can Prove It
BIDDU: Boogiethon
SERGIO MENDES: The Real Thing
GRACE JONES: Sorry
LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY: Dreamin’
NYTRO: Where's The Party
DILLINGER: Natty B.Sc.
SANTANA: Carnival/Let The Children Play
HUMAN BEINZ: Nobody But Me
DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES: Ennui On The Mountain
JIM CAPALDI: Goodbye My Love
JOBELL & THE ORCHESTRA DE SALSA: Never Gonna Let You Go
BONEY M: Sunny
VAN McCOY: The Shuffle
WILTON PLACE STREET BAND: Disco Lucy
GRACE JONES: That’s The Trouble
BLUE MAGIC: Three Ring CircusSeptember 1978:
Earth, Wind & Fire - Got To Get You Into My Life
Eddie Henderson - Prance On
Gap Mangione - Mellow Out
Quartz - Beyond The Clouds 
El Coco - Love In Your Life 
Quint - 9 To 5 
Kebekelektrik - War Dance 
Giorgio Moroder - Chase 
Voyage - Point Zero 
Grace Jones - Do Or Die 
D.C. LaRue - Let Them Dance 
Sine - Chimi 
Blackwell - Move Your Ass Gringo 
Thelma Houston - It’s Just Me Feeling Good 
Con Funk Shun - Shake And Dance With Me 
Atlantic Starr - Stand Up 
Gladys Knight & The Pips - It’s A Better Than Good Time 
Phil Hurtt - Giving It Back 
Gap Mangione - Sister Jo/Time Of The Season 
Carole King - Disco Tech 
Claudja Barry - Sweet Dynamite 
Wayne Henderson - Hot Stuff 
Michael Henderson - Happy 
Ian Matthews - Man In The Station 
Tribesman - Rockin’ Time 
Cool Notes - You Are What You Are 
Dennis Brown - How Can I Leave 
Supermax - World Of Today 
Rose Royce - Love Don't Live Here Anymore 
D.J. Rogers - Love Brought Me Back 
Rose Royce - Do It Do It 
Roy Ayers - Can’t You See Me 
L.T.D. - Holding On 
Afro-Cuban Band - Black Widow Woman 
Cleveland Eaton - The Funky Cello 
Constellation Orchestra - Perfect Love Affair 
Cleveland Eaton - Bama Boogie Woogie 
Roy Ayers - Get On Up, Get On Down 
Lord Kitchener - Sugar Bum Bum July 1981:
Phyllis Hyman: Can't We Fall In Love 
Hi-Gloss: You’ll Never Know 
Rahmlee: Down In Storyville 
Central Line: Walking Into Sunshine 
Unlimited Touch: Searching To Find The One 
Level 42: Turn It On 
Genji Sawai & Bacon Egg: What Comes Next? 
Pleasure: Glide 
Spaces: Song For Jeremy 
Dave Valentin: Pied Piper 
Lee Oskar: Song For My Son 
Eddie Russ: Zaius 
Black Slate: Live A Life 
Steve Winwood: Night Train 
Tom Tom Club: Wordy Rappinghood 
Spandau Ballet: Chant No.1 
Dennis Greene: Great Escape 
Avonn: Everybody Get Down 
LaToya Jackson: Stay The Night 
Cayenne: Roberto Who…? 
Martina: Central Park 
Rafael Cameron: Funtown USA 
Cheryl Lynn: Shake It Up Tonight 
Strikers: Inch By Inch 
Bobby Caldwell: Alfie 
Commodores: Lady (You Bring Me Up) 
Voggue: Dancin’ The Night Away 
Inner Life: Ain't No Mountain High Enough 
Lime: Your Love 
Richard ‘Dimples’ Fields: She’s Got Papers On Me February 1983:
One More Shot - C-Bank
Looking For The Perfect Beat - Soulsonic Force
Sweat /Passion - The System
D'Ya Like Scratchin' - Malcolm McLaren
Don't Touch That Dial - Captain Sky
Wired For Games- C-Brand
Feelin' Hot (Instrumental) - Futura
Get Loose - Evelyn King
50/50 Love - Maurice Massiah
Mr DJ (Instrumental) - Wish
Ride On The Rhythm - Mahogany
Sweet Thing - Convertion
I'd Like To (Instrumental) - Feel
Jeopardy (Instrumental) - Greg Kihn Band
Breaking Bells - Crash Crew
Ya Mama - Wuf Ticket
Come With Me - Tania Maria 
Young Free And Single - Lorita Grahame 
Touching In The Dark - Walter Jackson 
Best In The West - Chaka Khan 
Doin' It - Gwen McCrae 
Groovin' (That's What We're Doin') - SOS Band 
The Word Is Out - Sugarhill Gang 
Chinese Rap - Aural Exciters 
Mirda Rock - Reggie Griffin & Technofunk 
The Quantum Hop - Richard Bone 
Can't Wait To Get To You - Thrust 
In The Streets/Tight Jeans - Prince Charles & The City Beat Band 
Times Are Tight (Instrumental) - Jimmy Young 
Let Love Shine (Shep Pettibone Instrumental) - Skyy 
Let's Get Into It - Simon & McQueen 
Who's Getting It Now - Chocolate Milk 
Steppin' Out Jam (Dub Version) - Cloud 
You Can't Run From Love - Maxine Singleton 
Sticky Situation (Instrumental) - Tyrone Brunson 
Cry Now, Laugh Later - Grace Jones 
Ask The Boss - Flowchart 
Tonight - The Whispers 
Ooh, I Love It (Shep Pettibone Love Break Version) - Salsoul Orchestra 
You Are In My System - The System 
Haertbreaker - Klymaxx 
Changes (Larry Levan Remix) - Imagination 
Baby's Got Another Dub - Richard Jon Smith 
I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On) - Kashif 
Knocking Down Love - Goldie Alexander
Sneakin' (No Respect) - Joe Freeman 
You Can't Hide (Your Love From Me) - David Joseph 
I Like It Like That (Shep Pettibone Version) - Inner Life 
Lost In Amazonia - Tania Maria 
Surprise Surprise - Mezzoforte 
Be Bop Medley - Chaka Khan 
Love Me Right - Aretha Franklin 
You & I - Goodie
I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me - Tavares
1110
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
New Which Decade episode: Eddy Arnold, Glitter Band, Falco, Garbage, Sugababes, Zayn. A "Nashville Sound" pivot, another post-glam last hurrah, Austria's king of rap, Britpop by association, Amelle erases Mutya, and all-caps SEXYTIME. Track listing in ALT text. Voting deadline: Sunday 26th April.
Make The World Go Away - Eddy Arnold
People Like You And People Like Me - Glitter Band
Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
Stupid Girl - Garbage
Red Dress - Sugababes
Pillowtalk - Zayn
130
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
In this episode of Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? - a song that launched a thousand covers, a last hurrah, a bass bombing volume pumper, a remixer's canvas, a brief flicker of star power, and a vanilla take on kink. shows.acast.com/which-decade... Track listing in ALT text.
Everlasting Love - The Love Affair
Love Is Like Oxygen - Sweet
Doctorin' The House - Coldcut ft Yazz & The Plastic Population
Be Alone No More (C&J Radio Mix) - Another Level ft Jay-Z
Sun Goes Down - David Jordan
For You (Fifty Shades Freed) - Liam Payne & Rita Ora
020
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Colin Curtis joins us for a countdown of the first Disco Top 20 of 1983: electro-funk & scratching were rising, jazz-funk was waning, a superstar's follow-up was struggling, a couple of underground NYC classics were re-emerging, and - as ever - Colin was tastemaking. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #15 with Colin Curtis
020
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
New Which Decade (track listing in ALT text): Cliff pivots to post-army Elvis, A Mighty Wind's last hurrah, the sisters ditch their cabaret roots, Mantronix trade hip hop for a hit, Sweden's Eurovision nearly-man, and frat boys pave the way for LMFAO. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
A Voice In The Wilderness - Cliff Richard & The Shadows
Leaving On A Jet Plane - Peter, Paul & Mary
I'm In The Mood For Dancing - The Nolans
Got To Have Your Love - Mantronix ft Wondress
Glorious - Andreas Johnson
Starstrukk - 3OH!3 ft Katy Perry
020
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
New RMDC episode: @graemepark.bsky.social joins us for a look at a Disco Chart from October 1986, which blends Chicago house, soul/funk, hip hop and Washington DC go go, from a time when Graeme was weekend resident at The Garage in Nottingham. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #14, with Graeme Park
172
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
NEW SEASON OF WHICH DECADE! A Belgian triumph turned tragedy, a weeping Pierrot, a Glasto Ledge triple, a jock jam gateway, a seasonal underperformer and a Get Out Of Jail Free pass. Track listing in ALT text. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Dominique - The Singing Nun
The Show Must Go On - Leo Sayer
Islands In The Stream - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
Come Baby Come - K7
Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) - The Darkness
Skyscraper - Sam Bailey
060
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
RMDC leaps forward to September 1988, with special guest Lisa Loud, who was DJing at major venues and working in promotions for Virgin, where she broke acts such as Neneh Cherry, Massive Attack, Soul II Soul, and the act who were at Number One in this chart. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts #13, with Lisa Loud
010
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Bill Brewster @djhistory.bsky.social joins us for the last RMDC episode of the year, in which we take a look at a chart from May 1979: a time when disco had never been bigger, and nobody knew that a backlash was on the way. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #12 with Bill Brewster
071
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
I had a splendid time on Saturday with @dj-greg-wilson.bsky.social at the launch for the new James Hamilton book, after which I reconstructed a set from early 1984, detouring into a late 1983 set when he played 24 electro-funk records in 24 minutes. Here's the mix: www.mixcloud.com/miketd/james...
Mike Atkinson and Greg Wilson
060
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
James Hamilton's Dance Pages 1983-1989, an 800 page hardback, will be published on 12th December - but you can already pre-order a copy at superweirdsubstance.com/product/jame...
James Hamilton's Dance Pages 1983-1989James Hamilton's Dance Pages 1983-1989
010
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Record Mirror Disco Charts takes a look at a Top 20 from April 1980, with the help of John Morales: remixer, producer, DJ, and best known in the 1980s for his M&M mixes with the late Sergio Munzibai. shows.acast.com/record-mirro... and all the usual podcast places.
Record Mirror Disco Charts podcast #11, with John Morales
152
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
July 1976: as the nation sweltered, Peter Hook was finding his true path, having seen the Sex Pistols live in Manchester a month earlier. Meanwhile, the RM Disco Chart mixed pop & rock crossover hits with soul, funk, disco and the ever-present "slowies". shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #10 with Peter Hook
080
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Which Decade S5 E10: Roy Orbison, David Bowie, Lionel Richie, Eternal, Jamelia, James Blunt. Three R&B-pop tunes rub up against three chaps of varying degrees of coolness, thus completing this season's selections. shows.acast.com/which-decade... (Track listing in the ALT text)
Blue Bayou - Roy Orbison
Sorrow - David Bowie
All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie
Stay - Eternal
Superstar - Jamelia
Bonfire Heart - James Blunt
120
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Which Decade Results: Cardiac Kimchi. With a little bit of this, and a little bit of that - and even the occasional result - we review the voting from our last main episode. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Well I Ask You - Eden Kane
I Believe (In Love) - Hot Chocolate
Birdie Song (Birdie Dance) - The Tweets
Peace - Sabrina Johnston
Follow Me - Uncle Kracker
Jar Of Hearts - Christina Perri
010
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Which Decade S5E9: a Heritage Chart comeback, some persistent shapeshifters, France's Candle In The Wind, diva-house's purple patch, Kid Rock's mate reveals multiple levels, and Parkycore in its purest form. shows.acast.com/which-decade... Track listing in the ALT text. Voting deadline: Mon Oct 20
Well I Ask You - Eden Kane
I Believe (In Love) - Hot Chocolate
Birdie Song (Birdie Dance) - The Tweets
Peace - Sabrina Johnston
Follow Me - Uncle Kracker
Jar Of Hearts - Christina Perri
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Which Decade Results: Dan joins us from Idaho, we find a damp biscuit in the back of the snack cupboard, and a whoops-excuse-me threatens to derail the entire episode. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Zorba's Dance - Marcello Minerbi
Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me - Gladys Knight & The Pips
Say I'm Your Number One - Princess
Waterfalls - TLC
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Are You With Me - Lost Frequencies
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
If 20 year-old electro-funk fanatic me had known that one day he would be talking to Arthur Baker in granular detail about the music of 1982, he might have spontaneously combusted. This is a wonderful episode, and a particular thrill to publish. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #9, with Arthur Baker.
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
NEW WHICH DECADE: Marcello Minerbi, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Princess, TLC, Kelly Clarkson, Lost Frequencies. An accelerating plate-smasher, two country covers, a hidden rivalry revealed, "alternative is a relative concept", and a gateway-drug flat-smasher. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Zorba's Dance - Marcello Minerbi
Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me - Gladys Knight & The Pips
Say I'm Your Number One - Princess
Waterfalls - TLC
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Are You With Me - Lost Frequencies
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Which Decade Results: Nick's Sweaty Brown Envelope. New Patreon subscriber Mike joins us for a look at the voting for S5E6, where a last place sends Trev "incandescent with rage", a JLS/Morrissey hypocrisy is posited, and Nick takes delivery of a clammy gift. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones
I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats
Swing The Mood - Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers
Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
Beat Again - JLS
Senorita - Shawn Mendes/Camila Cabello
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
For the latest episode of Record Mirror Disco Charts, @djpaulette.bsky.social joins us for a detailed look at a Futurist/Electro-Disco Top 20 from April 1981: an era when electronics, fashion and politics fused, and when our future fascinated us more than our past. shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #8, with DJ Paulette
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Here's our latest Which Decade episode in full - track listings are in the ALT text. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones
I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats
Swing The Mood - Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers
Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
Beat Again - JLS
Senorita - Shawn Mendes/Camila Cabello
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
I'll be playing 1980s gay classics (IN A LIBRARY!) in September, for the launch of CJ DeBarra's excellent history of Queer Nottingham (in which I am quoted several times, along with many other people who were there at the time).
Queer Nottingham Book Launch, 18th September, 630pm-830pm, Nottingham Central Library.
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
S5E7 Part 3/3: JLS, Shawn Mendes/Camila Cabello. Concluding this episode: an emotionally blackmailing eye-roller, and a steamy alleged long con. shows.acast.com/which-decade... Your voting deadline is 6pm UK time, Sunday 31st August.
Beat Again - JLS
Senorita - Shawn Mendes/Camila Cabello
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Which Decade S5E7 Part 2/3: Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers, Ricky Martin. Glenn Miller connects to hard house, and después de mí el diluvio! (31 minutes, Part 3 drops tomorrow.) shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Swing The Mood - Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers
Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Which Decade S5E7 Part 1/3: Rolling Stones, Boomtown Rats. An interstitial Brian Jones sandwich and Bob's prescient regret open our latest episode (24 minutes, Part 2 drops tomorrow). shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones
I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
Which Decade Results: The Clarinet Clarification, aka The Chapin Gateway, aka The Tennant Easter Egg. Tough week, tight scores, but a long overdue triumph! shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Last Night Was Made For Love - Billy Fury
Circles - The New Seekers
I'm A Wonderful Thing, Baby - Kid Creole & The Coconuts
Disappointed - Electronic
When You Look At Me - Christina Milian
Feel The Love - Rudimental ft John Newman
010
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
@irvinewelsh.bsky.social is our latest guest for the RMDC podcast, talking about a Disco Top 20 from September 1978, and answering a few questions about his new disco album, Men In Love (a soundtrack to his new novel of the same name) shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #7 with Irvine Welsh
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
If only this had actually happened (history suggests that it very nearly did!)
Comic strip showing a punk/Ted "unity gig" in Summer 1977, starring the Sex Pistols and Shakin' Stevens.
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
We'll remember you for more than that, Ozzy. (Record Mirror, 25th April 1987.)
But there aren't many worse things that a musician could be remembered for, are there? Or are there? Maybe Ozzy'd beg to differ. 

He recounts the tale of how he recently looked over a rehearsal place and, while having lunch in the local pub, was collared by the waitress who wanted to know what brought him down that way and who he was. "So I said, 'Oh I'm a performer, and she said, 'Oh, really? Who do you work for?' and I says, 'Ozzy Osbourne, and she goes, 'Oh, I know him, he's the one who bites the heads off things!" I thought, what a f***ing epitaph! I've sold God knows how many millions of records but on my gravestone it'll have 'Ozzy Osbourne, born, died, bit the heads off...' What a ring legacy! Ozzy Osbourne — the real batman! Ha ha ha ha! I suppose there's one good side to it, at least somebody'll remember me..." 

As if anyone could possibly ever forget a character like Ozzy Osbourne.
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Which Decade S5 E6: a proto-auto-erotic Brightside, Granny Atkinson's Theme Tune, Man Owns Ties: The Soundtrack, The Supergroup Conundrum, Indie Swedes do Millennial R&B, and Propagating The Species with Clive Owen. shows.acast.com/which-decade... Voting deadline: Sunday 27 July, 6pm.
Last Night Was Made For Love - Billy Fury
Circles - The New Seekers
I'm A Wonderful Thing, Baby - Kid Creole & The Coconuts
Disappointed - Electronic
When You Look At Me - Christina Milian
Feel The Love - Rudimental ft John Newman
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Which Decade Part 3/3: Indie Swedes do Millennial R&B, and Propagating The Species with Clive Owen. shows.acast.com/which-decade... The voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 27th July
When You Look At Me - Christina Milian
Feel The Love - Rudimental ft John Newman
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
In today's Which Decade Part 2: Man Owns Ties: The Soundtrack, and an all-star collab leads us to ponder The Supergroup Conundrum. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
I'm A Wonderful Thing, Baby - Kid Creole & The Coconuts
Disappointed - Electronic
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
In Part 1 of the latest Which Decade: a proto-auto-erotic Brightside, and Granny Atkinson's Theme Tune. shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Last Night Was Made For Love - Billy Fury
Circles - The New Seekers
010
Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
I played a club set for Pride Month on Friday at Funk My Life in Harrogate, making my public debut on CDJ (it was DDJ-only until now), which was, quite frankly, a terrifying prospect - but it all went smoothly on the night: no fuck-ups, no floor-clearers, and the messages in the music were heeded.
Me behind the decks at Funk My Life
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Mike Atkinson @whichdecadetops.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Fifty years ago this week, James Hamilton's first Disco Page was published in Record Mirror, along with the first weekly Disco Top 20. To mark the anniversary, Alexis Petridis joins us to take a detailed look. Expect the unexpected: it was a VERY different time! shows.acast.com/record-mirro...
Record Mirror Disco Charts Podcast #6 with Alexis Petridis
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