For the first time ever, the musical legacy of feted London nightclub and ‘haven for misfits’ The Wag is explored over 4 discs with a selection of remastered rare, classic and collectible funk, Latin, disco, hip hop and jazz that filled the floor.

The Wag box set is released on 28th June via Harmless records and is curated by Chris Sullivan - a musician, journalist and most importantly, the Wag’s founder, director, promoter, designer and booker for its entire run of 18 years.

The following list is just a few names to have attended The Wag, either to perform or simply to party: Larry Levan, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, Mickey Rourke, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Lee Scratch Perry, Grace Jones, Sade, Elton John, George Clinton, Juan Atkins, Prince, The Pogues, Tallking Heads, Desmond Dekker, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Van Morrision, The Last Poets, the JB’s, Kid Creole, Larry Heard,James Taylor, Kevin Rowland, Mark Moore, Madonna, Boy George, George Michael, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gorgio Armani, Tom Tom Club, Versace, Thierry Mugler, Leigh Bowery, John Galliano, LL Cool J, The Wild Bunch, Kym Mazelle, Tito Puente, Ce Ce Rogers, Marshall Jefferson, Slim Gaillard, Sade, Kate Moss, Goldie, Leigh Bowery, Andrew Weatherall, Iman, Frankie Knuckles, Naomi Campbell, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Maceo Parker, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Beastie Boys and Chuck D.

However, the focus wasn’t on celebrity, but talent and self-expressive individuality, all set to a flawless soundtrack. “So many famous people came - every actor, musician and artist. They were all so normal and no one paid them any heed”, explains Alan Campbell, former Wag manager. “You could talk to them and they’d buy a beer, and not expect free champagne.”

Music explored on this box set covers a period from the Wag’s inception in 1982 to 1986, and although the club was an integral early proponent in the acid house explosion and continued to support electronic music until its close in 2001, this chapter will be covered in The Wag Volume 2.

The Wag also broke hip-hop in the UK (another area to gain attention on Volume 2.) Eric B and Rakim, Africa Bambaataa,Jungle Brothers, Spoonie Gee, Digital Underground, Biz Markie, Kool Moe Dee, Dougie Fresh, De La Soul, Run DMC,Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, Jazzy Jay, The Fantastic Four, Fab 5 Freddy and Rammellzee all played.

With the rapid and brutal big-money gentrification of Soho, The Wag represents a bygone era for the area, where despite a seedy and criminal presence, the congregation of artistic people blossomed.

With a no-photo policy and strict selective entry, The Wag predated an approach now utilized by arguably the most desired club in the world today – Berghain. But the German techno mecca’s grimy, basic warehouse vibe was not the order of the day back then. With its extroverted, high fashion crowd, decor and set designs, something far fresher, fabulous and theatrical was happening at The Wag.

CD1
1. Aaron Neville - Hercules
2. Cymande-Bra
3. Doris Duke - Woman Of The Ghetto
4. Don Julian & The Larks - Shorty The Pimp
5. Esther Philips-Home Is Where The Hatred Is
6. James Brown - The Boss
7. A.A.B.B. - Pick Up The Pieces One By One
8. Fatback Band - Wicky Wacky
9. Clarence Wheeler and The Enforcers - Right On
10. Miami - Kill That Roach
11. Brother Soul - Cookies
12. Gil Scott-Heron - 17th Street
13. Beginning of the End - Funky Nassau
14. Manu Dibango-New Bell
15. Gwen McRae - All This Love I’m Giving
16. Earth, Wind & Fire - Getaway
17. Brother To Brother - In The Bottle
18. M.F.S.B. - Sexy-

CD2-
1. Dexter Wansel-Life On Mars
2. The Nite-Lighters-K - Jee
3. Herbie Mann-Hijack
4. D.C. La Rue-Cathedrals
5. Crystal Grass - Crystal World (Larry Sanders Edit)
6. New York Port Authority - I Got It
7. Brass Construction-Movin’
8. Mandrill - Can You Get It
9. Strutt - Time Moves On
10. Slave - You And Me
11. War-Galaxy
12. Fatbank Band - (Do The) Spanish Hustle
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CD3-
1. Don Renaldo and His String & Horn Sections + M.F.S.B.-Freddie's Dead
2. John Handy-Hard Work
3. Benny Golson-The New Killer Joe
4. Eddie Harris-Listen Here
5. Oscar Brown Jnr-Mr. Kicks
6. Freddie Hubbard-Return Of The Prodigal Son
7. Rashaan Roland Kirk - Making Love After Hours
8. Mel Torme - Comin' Home Baby
9. Herbie Mann/Tamiko Jones-Sidewinder
10. Nina Simone - African Mailman
11. Snowboy & The Latin Section-A Night In Tunisia
12. Mongo Santamaria - I Can't Get Next To You
13. Charlie Palmieri - Mambo Show
14. Ray Barretto-Pasttime Paradise
15. Dom Um Romao & Jadir de Castro - Ozonio
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CD4-
1. Linda Clifford - Runaway Love
2. Joyce Sims-(You Are My) All N' All
3. Herbie Hancock - Rockit
4. Junkyard Band-The Word
5. Digital Underground-The Humpty Dance
6. Chain Reaction-Dance Freak
7. Quando Quango - Genius
8. Cerrone - Supernature
9. Atmosfear - Dancing In Outer Space
10. Dinosaur L - Go Bang
11. Undisputed Truth-You + Me = Love

4CD Remastered Deluxe Box Set Sleevenotes by Chris Sullivan Out 28th June on Harmless records Cat No: HURTXCD131