Dom Williams heads up Miles Away Records, the label that is fast gaining a solid reputation for putting out high quality reissues and dusty forgotten gems. Here, we took the chance to talk to the former Acid Jazz label manager about his new project, the re-issue of Salty Miller’s ‘Album #1.’

WWD: I’d love to hear about the initial idea for your forthcoming reissue by Nelson Salty Miller. When did you first approach this concept and what was your original intention with this release?

I first came across the album years ago while digging online. The track ‘One More Time’ was the entry point — those emotive strings in the intro really struck a chord with me. It led me to explore the rest of the record, and I instantly fell in love with it. As a vinyl collector, I tried to hunt down an original pressing, but it proved incredibly difficult to find. That challenge became the turning point — I decided to try and track down Salty himself to see if a reissue might be possible.

WWD: What was the most important factor for you to consider with this reissue. Do you feel that you were able to accomplish your intention?

The most important factor, always, is whether I love the music. If I still enjoy listening to something after a long time, that’s the clearest sign it’s worth sharing. It has to stand the test of time personally — that’s my barometer. With this release, I absolutely feel we’ve done justice to the music and achieved what we set out to do. 

WWD: What are you most proud of with the reissue of this classic?

I’m most proud of how good it sounds. Not only does it improve on the original pressing, but it also brings out new elements in some of the tracks. You can hear details that were buried before. It’s a real joy to hear this music in such a vivid and powerful way.

WWD: What was the most challenging part of getting this release together?

The biggest challenge was securing a decent master. As is often the case with private press records from this era, the original tapes were lost, and the label that manufactured the record is long gone. On top of that, Salty had sadly passed away. We had to track down a clean copy of the vinyl, which was difficult as the original pressing quality wasn’t great. But after a lot of digging, we managed to find a version we could work from. The final result is something I’m genuinely proud of. 

WWD: Where does the desire to seek out the music that you reissue come from in you?

It comes from a deep love of the music and a curiosity about the stories behind it. There’s something powerful about bringing overlooked or forgotten music back into the light. I think it’s rooted in that collector’s mindset — the thrill of discovery and the joy of sharing it with others.

WWD: How much has the time you spent with Acid Jazz shaped your musical direction and taste?

Massively. Acid Jazz is where I got my start in the industry, and it was hugely formative. When I joined, the label had just signed a new distribution deal and was in the process of relaunching — I was the only full-time staff member. That meant I did a bit of everything, which was invaluable. Working with their catalogue taught me how to bring attention to older music and gave me a real appreciation for soul, rare groove, and modern soul. It also kickstarted my serious record collecting journey.

WWD: What drives you to do what you do with Miles Away?  

Miles Away started as a soul 45 imprint under Acid Jazz. The goal was simple: to release music I loved and felt deserved to be heard again. That ethos hasn’t changed, even though we’re independent now. What keeps me going is seeing people respond to the music. I still get a buzz every time someone buys a record or plays one of our releases on the radio. Hearing that someone halfway across the world knows about the label never stops feeling surreal.

WWD: What has been one of your favorite moments from the past year for Miles Away?

Releasing our debut compilation Miles Away: One has been a standout. It’s been our most successful release to date, with copies going out all over the world. Seeing people connect with that selection of music — stuff I’ve loved for years — has been incredibly rewarding.

WWD: Where do you find the most inspiration when it comes to new music?  

It comes from different places. But honestly, when I hit a wall creatively, I have to shake things up. That might mean travelling somewhere new or catching some live shows. Being in a room with a crowd and hearing music at full volume — that’s where the spark often comes back. Live music is a huge source of inspiration for me.

WWD: What is next for Miles Away?

We’ve got another compilation coming later this year focusing on the Cheri Records label. Beyond that, there are lots of exciting projects in the pipeline — and we’ve started working on Miles Away: Two. There’s plenty more to come.

WWD: We can’t wait to hear it! Thanks for the chat 🙂

‘Album #1’ is available here