Thursday 27 December 2012

2012 Top 30 Chart


An end of the year run down of the records I have played the most in 2012. I'm bound to have forgotten a load of gems...  Click on the link below for the full chart.

http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/536543-Paul_Thornton_itch_Dig_Deep/606813-Chart/

Thursday 13 December 2012

Dig Deep with DJ Izrail (Chicago) #3 131212



On this week's show we are once again honoured to take a trip to the windy city as stella record selector/DJ mix co-ordinator extraordinaire Izrail Dizko takes to the decks for an hour long Mini-Mix.

Crafting his turntable skills since 1985, at the age of 15 DJ Izrail was opening parties for Dave D'Master Merritt & Vinny Divine in various Chicago based clubs.  Part of the house scene ever since, Izrail was DJing with Roy Davis jr & Paul Johnson as recently as October 2012.  Check the previous shows last December and May for a a more in depth background.

As head of The Chicago Dig Deep Family over the last year, Izrail has made it possible for us to broadcast exclusive mixes from the likes of Boo Williams, Gene Hunt, Boogie Nite the 7inch 45 King, Hot Mix Holmes, Neal Howard, K'Alexi Shelby, Terry Hunter, Dave Merritt.

An impeccable DJ in his own right, DJ Izrail's sets smoothly blend proper disco, early house, boogie, funk and acid whilst never dropping a beat. "We call it carrying on Chicago Tradition" laughs the humble man...

DJ Izrail's 2nd show on Soundcloud is currently top of the Dig Deep listen back chart whilst going head to head with the show featuring Boo Williams, so it's fair to say this guy can hold his own when it comes to putting the needle to the record.

Trainspotters, tapers house veterans and disco divas be ready, this is one of the finest sets we've played all year!

Do not miss this Dizko journey as we celebrate Izrail's one year anniversary with the Dig Deep Radio Show...  Plus expect the usual unusual selections from PT in the first hour.

Playlist:

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Dig Deep with Templebys & Funky Onion DJs


On this week's show we welcome a whole host of guests from the Preston funk soul jazz scene...

Neil from Valley-Events Management is dropping in to give us the full lowdown for the forthcoming Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club event in December. Check the flyer at the bottom of this post.

Phil Carr, newest member of the North West's most up and coming funk outfit Templebys, will be putting down his drum sticks to giving us a taster of the bands debut CD, as well as telling us about some of his highlights from this year's festival circuit.

True veteran of the Preston scene Gordon Worden (Funky Onion) is joined by the vinyl mastermind Boney Votel for the Mini-Mix at 9pm.  The pair take to the decks with a wedge of 45s and sought after slabs of wax, giving us a flavour of their forthcoming new club night.

Saturday 24 November 2012

The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club Album (Freestyle)


Craig Charles is set to release his debut album on Monday 26th November 2012 and it's an absolute winner.

Released on Fresstyle Records, one of the UK's best funk labels, the LP is packed full of the funk and soul gems Craig has been playing on his BBC6 Radio Show, at Festivals and in the clubs for time.

Check the soundclips below and get it ordered from Freestyle and Juno Records.



Here's what the label have to say...

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Dig Deep with K'Alexi Shelby (K Klassik / Transmat / DJ International) 151112


On this week’s show we are truly honored to bring you legendary Chicago house and techno producer / DJ K Alexi Shelby, better known as K'Alexi aka El Chocalata, in the mix for 1 hour.

One of The founding fathers of house music since the late 80’s, K Alexi is a time served pioneer of the true house sound with a DJ and a phenomenal production career spanning over 20 years.

At the age of 12 Mr.K' Alexi Shelby developed friendships with Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy whilst attending seminal venues like The Warehouse and The Music Box in the mid 1980s. It’s here that he took inspiration from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Curtis Mayfield and David Huff. Influences that continue in his music to this day.

K’s early tracks helped lay down what is now the trademark Chicago house sound; a solid kick drum, rumbling dark bass, smooth strings, incredible percussion and poetic spoken word.

In 1987 he released Essence Of A Dream under the guise of Risque III, a track that firmly established the name of Mr.K' Alexi Shelby amongst the most prominent of all house producers at the time and still sounds fresh today.

The B Side features Risqué Madness which was inspired by Kikrokos - Life Is A Jungle on Polydor Records from the ‘Jungle DJ And Dirty Kate’ LP released in 1978; a track that Ron Hardy re-edited on his reel to reel.

In 1988 K'Alexi released More Than Just A Dance under the alias of Risqué Rhythm Team. It's the Backyard mix that passes the Dig Deep test, a deep solid string laden house cut with a great bassline that's in the same field as Larry Heard.

1989 saw the release of the jaw dropping acid killer All For Lee-Sah which came out on Transmat under the name K. Alexi Shelby.  Definitely one of the standout tracks for me, and a recent sharing led up and coming UK based producer and DJ Cottam to say "that's right up my strasse, kinda stuff I'm buying and playing now".



Sunday 11 November 2012

Itch Mix DJ Series

As the 10 year birthday of Preston based club night Itch gets ever closer (March 2013), we thought it was about time that we pulled all the Itch mixes together and put them online in one place.

Spanning 2003 to date, these mixes give a taster of how the club nights sound has changed over the years whilst reminding us of some of the great music that the ever faithful crowd has danced to in venues all over the city...

We will be uploading one mix/CD a day until we're done and we hope to get them all up in the next month.

Big up to everyone that ever came to party with us, a massive shout to the itch crew for all their help over the years (you know who you are x) and much respect to all the DJs that have come down to the club and played ace sets.


Wednesday 31 October 2012

Dig Deep with Paul Watson (Itch / Wired For Sound) 311012


Fresh from releasing his 2nd vinyl offering, this week we welcome DJ, producer, club promoter and all round taste maker, Paul Watson back into the studio for a catch up on all things music related before he does the mini-mix at 9pm.

Paul's latest release, Watson - To Rack & Ruin Volume 3 on El Diablo Social Club's label, has been getting plays from the likes of Eric Duncan, Chris Duckenfield, PBR Streetgang, Neil Diablo, Crazy P and Cottam, has gained Record of the week at Piccadilly Records and is currently out of stock at Juno Records.

A vinyl only release limited to 300 copies - the A Side features 'Get It On' which is a superb edit of the massive Millie Jackson track which was sampled on Carl Craig's remix of Tom Trago’s - 'Use Me Again' track.  The B Side holds 'Thoughts Of Yesterday', a slo-mo groover that grows on me with each play and is dowsed in the soulful boogie vibes the man has been dropping in his DJ sets for time.

Get It On follows Watson's now sold out debut 12" Ease Along - a brilliantly arranged Cliff Richard picture disc where the world first saw his production talents shine.

As well as being a key player in one of Preston's longest standing club nights, itch, Watson has teamed up with fellow producer Cottam to bring us the 2nd Wired for Sound club night to celebrate the release of Cottam’s 2nd 12” on the Aus music label and Watson’s To Rack & Ruin release.

This week'a show will feature Watson's 8th mini-mix for the show following his last appearance back in February.  Get on it!

Playlist:

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Dig Deep with Dave D'Master Merritt (No Name) #2 181012


With this month's guest mix, the Dig Deep Chicago Family take a little break from dropping recent house cuts and sure fire disco killers that worked the scene back in the day to bring us a straight up mix of 80's classic House bombs from legendary producer and DJ Dave D'Master Merritt.

Dave has been producing tracks since the late 80s, and his group 'No Name' was at the forefront of house from the off.  If you are not already in the know, a quick gander at the write up for the show back in July 2012 featuring Dave's first mix will give you a crash course in the gems he has worked on to date.

I am particularly honored this time around as Dave has put together this mix exclusively for the Dig Deep Radio Show in the UK.  It's fair to say Dave's 2nd mix for the show isn't one of those tired and tested 'back to the old school' type things, this is a celebration of the early sounds of House that changed the world forever...

Dave has dedicated the mix to the Letsgoback Wayback club night up in Glasgow, and to all the fans that love classic early House Music.

On 13th October Dave Merritt is DJing at The biggest house music concert and dance party Chicago has ever seen - History Of House Music.  The line up features 25 top notch DJs and live acts including Frankie Knuckles, Kenny Jamin Jason, CZR, Fast Eddie, Keith Nunnally aka JM Silk, Mike Dunn and Terry Hunter to name just a few - check the flyer at the top of this post for the full line up.

Trainspotters, tapers, house veterans and disco divas be ready, this show will not be repeated!

Monday 1 October 2012

Dig Deep with Terry Hunter (T's Box Records) Re-run 041012


Due to popular demand, on this week’s show we are re-running last month's Dig Deep with soulful house legend Terry Hunter!  This is the first time in 6 years that we have repeated a guest mix on another show!!

King of the rotary mixer, Terry's awesome one hour mix is one of the tightest and uplifting DJ sets I've played over the last year or so and it's brimming with the classic soulful house, garage and disco vibes that he is world famous for producing and playing...  As usual the mix is being broadcast exclusively on the Dig Deep Radio Show in the UK.

One of The original windy city House head honchos, Terry has been at the forefront of house music for the past 25 years and has travelled the globe sharing his passion for soulful house music while continuing to produce dance-floor packing hits for his Ts Box record label.

Born in August 1970 on the Southside of Chicago, Terry was introduced to music at a young age - "I really didn't know I could make a living at becoming a DJ at first.  I just thought it would be an expensive hobby because at the time I was a vinyl junkie which was an expensive habit.  My love became so strong for DJing that I spent entire summers in my bedroom & local records stores just hanging around & not playing with my friends.  That’s when a few years later, I knew in my heart this is what I was born to do.”

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Dig Deep with Terry Hunter (T's Box Records) 200912


On this week’s show we are truly honoured to Dig Deep with soulful house legend Terry Hunter!.

King of the rotary mixer, Terry's awesome one hour mix is one of the tightest and uplifting DJ sets I've played over the last year or so and it's brimming with the classic soulful house, garage and disco vibes that he is world famous for producing and playing...  As usual the mix is being broadcast exclusively on the Dig Deep Radio Show in the UK.

One of The original windy city House head honchos, Terry has been at the forefront of house music for the past 25 years and has travelled the globe sharing his passion for soulful house music while continuing to produce dance-floor packing hits for his Ts Box record label.

Born in August 1970 on the Southside of Chicago, Terry was introduced to music at a young age - "I really didn't know I could make a living at becoming a DJ at first.  I just thought it would be an expensive hobby because at the time I was a vinyl junkie which was an expensive habit.  My love became so strong for DJing that I spent entire summers in my bedroom & local records stores just hanging around & not playing with my friends.  That’s when a few years later, I knew in my heart this is what I was born to do.”

Friday 14 September 2012

New DJ Chart: Dig Deep in Africa - Ancient to the future #1


New DJ chart packed with afro vibes old and new to celebrate the release of the awesome new Fela box set... to see the chart, click the link below

http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/536543-Paul_Thornton_itch_Dig_Deep/589695-Chart/

Thursday 13 September 2012

Watson - To Rack & Ruin Volume 3 : Coming Soon...


Early heads up - Watson's new 12" from the El Diablo Social Club's stable is waiting in the wings and it's safe to say it already has it's place ear marked in my Top 3 records and edits of the year.

'Get It On' is a superb edit of the massive Millie Jackson track which was sampled on Carl Craig's remix of Tom Trago’s - 'Use Me Again' track. Watson's edit was road tested to a great reaction by Cottam at the Paper Recordings party in Manchester a few month's back.  Whilst 'Thoughts Of Yesterday' is a slo-mo groover dowsed in the soulful boogie vibes the man has been dropping in his DJ sets for time.

Playlisted on the show back in June of this year, Get It On has been on heavy rotation ever since, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the vinyl...

A limited run of 300 hand stamped, hand sprayed copies will be released on 24th September from some of the decent record stores...

Watson's long sold out debut 12" Ease Along, a Cliff Richard picture disc backed with a Cottam remix, went to Number 1 in Juno's Best Sellers chart in the run up to Christmas 2011 - so be warned, do not sleep on this record!


Watson - To Rack & Ruin Volume 3 (To Rack & Ruin) - released 24.09.12
Buy now at Juno Records or Piccadilly Records

Thursday 6 September 2012

Dig Deep with Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes 060912


Inspired by last weekend's Vintage Festival as part of Preston Guild, this week PT Digs Deep in the record boxes from 1972 and 1982 before hitting you with a killer electro / electro-funk mix from Chicago based DJ Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes...

Preston Guild only comes around every 20 years so it has been brilliant to see all the people in the city getting down to the various parks to celebrate and listen to some great music whilst checking out vintage art & design, crafts, films, food and drink . Big up to selectors Wayne Hemingway, Colin Curtis, Neil Rushton, Kev Roberts, Ian Dewhirst and Greg Wilson.

Chicago resident Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes has been playing records in the city since 1982. Graduating from Medal High (the school that produced many people that had a big impact on the Chicago house scene including Robert Owens, E-Smoove & Braxton Holmes) Al's influences include Farley 'Jack Master' Funk, Steve 'Silk' Hurley and Frankie Knuckles.

Dowsed with the sound of the early 80's, Al's mix is packed full of electro classics that have inspired a generation and have been a massive influence on dance music's history over the last 20 years. Don't miss this opportunity to hear a Chi-Town stalwart dropping gem after gem of tracks that perfectly captures The sound of the electro movement.

Tracklist:

Saturday 11 August 2012

Dig Deep with Boo Williams (SJU Muzic / Strictly Jaz Unit) 230812


On this his week's show we are truly honoured to bring you Boo Williams in the mix, exclusively on the Dig Deep Radio Show in the UK.

As a producer Boo is up there with the original leaders on the Chicago scene. He's time served and has been part of the city's house music entourage since 1981.

A quick look at his profile on Discogs gives a feel for this guys prolific output - Boo has been dropping Chi-Town bombs since 1994 on record labels such as Relief, DJ-Upbeats, Moods and Grooves and Guidance to name just a few. With a raft of aliases and connections such as SJU Muzik / Strictly Jaz Unit, Boo is still very much an active producer and has recently put out records on the excellent Rush Hour label.

As well as being a fine producer, Boo is a formidable DJ and his sets are as tight as they are hot. From the first track in the mix it's clear Boo uses the lyrics in the music to talk to the listener from behind the decks whilst blowing their socks off with awesome grooves.

Monday 6 August 2012

Dig Deep with the Boogizm crew #3 090812




This week we welcome two of our favourite guests, the Boogizm boys, back into the studio for a chat, a laugh and no doubt some fine fine music...

Over the last year or so Tom Ireland and Tom 'Boogizm' Greaves along with their Boogizm Soundsystem have left an indelible mark on the North West club scene, as their reputation for throwing great parties with friendly vibes and brilliant music grows with every event.

Monday 23 July 2012

Dig Deep with Dave D'Master Merritt (Chicago) 260712


On this week's show we are honoured to broadcast an exclusive 1 hour DJ mix by legendary Chicago based producer & DJ Dave D'Master Merritt.

Producing tracks since the late 80s, Dave's group 'No Name' was at the forefront of house from the off. No Name's biggest hit, Jason's Revenge on House Nation Records, came out in 1986. 1987 saw the release of No Name's Hypnotic House.

In 1988 Dave produced Love Traxs by Shawn Shegog featuring Barbara Shegog.  A serious piece of music from house's rich history, and a track that still sounds fierce some 24 years later!  It's hard to imagine how fresh this sounded back in the day. The original vinyl shifts for a fair few $$$ these days.  In 1988 Dave also wrote the bassline for Mark Imperial's The Love I Lost.  An awe inspiring classic vocal house cut with a low end to die for.

In 1989 Living In The Dark Side was released featuring Shawn Shegog - another dirty acid house track that has Warehouse vibes written all over it.

Dave is also a veteran house DJ, playing alongside Vinny Divine in the early days, and had a large influence on the younger DJs in the windy city, opening the doors into clubland for the likes of DJ Izrail.

As well as helping to change the face of dance music forever, Dave is still active on the DJ scene and regularly broadcasts mixes on chicagohouseradio.com alongside K. Alexi Shelby, Voc Walters, Boo Williams, Terry Hunter and head honcho Lloyd Dev.

To say this man is connected is an understatement. Salute!!

PT took a big box of disco, boogie and house in the studio. Here's what came out...

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Dig Deep with Veilo (Tectonic) 120712


This week we're on a bit of a techno tip as we welcome Chris McNally aka Veilo into the studio.  He comes armed with a wedge of self produced tracks, and we will be having a chat to the man about his work, his inspirations and the upcoming Loopfest event.

Here's a little intro... Chris is a bit ambitious when it comes to music.  It all started at an open night at high school where he saw a person playing the drums.  Inspired, Chris took upon myself to learn and practised all the time.  As he got older he started getting into dance music.  He started mcing to Maximes (one of the legendary Wigan rave clubs) style music.

As did many an old school raver, Chris eventually grew out of it and moved on.  He met a man called Dan Moorcroft who introduced him to techno.  Chris started making his own techno tracks with a computer programme, under the guise of Veilo, and again practised and listened all the time.  And even now Chris never stops thinking about how to better his musical inspirations...

A fond lover of his beats, bleeps and basslines - the sound of Veilo sits somewhere between the darker shades of techno, dubstep and electro where minimal 4/4 soundscapes meet head noddin electronica.

Monday 25 June 2012

Dig Deep - Gettin Ready For't Beat-Herder with Mr Scruff 280612


So the 2012 beat-herder festival is almost upon us and it's nearly time for 3 more days of beats and barminess in the heart of Lancashire.

That means it's time for our annual 'Gettin Ready For't Beat-Herder' Dig Deep show and in the mini-mix this Thursday we have a full hour of Mr Scruff recorded live in the Toil Trees at the Beat-Herder Festival in 2011.

Following the shows earlier in the year here and here, this week's mix is taken from around the 2nd to last hour of his fantastic 5 hour set.

Sunday 24 June 2012

Beat-Herder Festival 2012

The Beat-Herder Festival
29th June - 1st July 2012


It's almost time for 3 more days of beats and barminess in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire!!

As always the line up is a fine mixture of headline acts and local talent.  Here are just a few of the highlights that PT is looking forward too...
  • Pilooski (Saturday night - Trailer Trash)
  • Sean P (Saturday night - Trailer Trash)
  • Trailer Trash Lounge (All weekend - don't miss Martin Deane, James Deane, Annie, Fraser, Peach, Linsey, Underground Roots ft Danman & Bongo Chilli & City Culture, Red J, Karl Roscoe, Chris Holt & Paul Thornton plus plenty more wonderful guests.)
  • Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi (Sunday afternoon - Toil Trees)
  • Best Joined Up - NY Subway Train (All weekend with Family & Fiends including Bodie, Fraser, Kenny, Vinyl Miners, Lil Miz, DJ Woody, Peach, Linz, Red J, Chris Holt and Paul Thornton.)
  • DJ Woody (Friday night - Toil Trees)
  • Mr Breen & Jude (Stumblefunk Soundsystem)
  • Lee Scratch Perry (Sunday - The Beat-Herder Stage)
  • John Tree (Saturday - Perfumed Garden)
  • Sarah Brown (Perfumed Garden)
  • Hotel California (Various)
For specific set times make sure you grab a guide on the Friday.

Dig Deep / Four Corners action...



facebook.com/BeatHerder | www.beatherder.co.uk | Trailer Trash | Best Joined Up


Sunday 17 June 2012

Dig Deep with Martin Deane (Trailer Trash) Chicago House Radio special #1


Dig Deep is truly honoured to be making our Chicago House Radio debut today with special guest DJ Martin Deane (Trailer Trash) in the mix.

It's an exclusive 2 hour Dig Deep Radio Show recorded especially for the wonderful people at CHR.

Thursday 14 June 2012

Dig Deep with the Trailer Trash crew 140612


On this weeks show we welcome one of the 40+ strong Trailer Trash crew into the studio for our annual chat about the upcoming Beat-Herder Festival.

The crew are currently finishing off the last bits and pieces for the return of Trailer Trash Lounge at the Beat-Herder Festival at the end of the month; and in true Herder tradition this year promises to be the best yet...

We have Trailer Trash resident DJ Martin Deane in the studio to give us his top tips for the festival.  Plus this week's Mini-Mix comes from resident DJ Kim, live in the Trailer Trash Lounge, on the Saturday night at last year's Beat-Herder.


Sunday 10 June 2012

Smoove & Turrell full live band plus guests - Saturday 16th June 2012

This Saturday 16th June Smoove & Turrell bring their full live band to Preston for a night of fun, funk and frolics.

Heavily playlisted by the likes of Craig Charles and part of his Fantasy Funk Band plus regular faces on the festival circuit, this event is a must for all that enjoyed the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club back in March...


+ Templebys live
+ Voodoo Cartel live
+ support from Preston FM DJs & The Funkin Limits residents:
Paul Thornton (Itch / Dig Deep)
Chris Holt (Two Mellow / Four Corners)

53 Degrees, Preston
7.30pm - 11pm

Sunday 27 May 2012

Dig Deep with DJ Izrail (Chicago) #2 310512



On this weeks show DJ Izrail, head of the Chicago Dig Deep family, returns with an exclusive 1 hour long DJ mix to celebrate his birthday week (happy birthday for Tuesday 29th May!)

DJ Izrail has been a student and a follower of the legendary Lil Louis since 1987. Before that, in 1985, he started doing pause mixes on cassette tapes trying to mimic Farley Jackmaster Funk from the original Hot Mix Five on WBMX. That year Izail’s parents bought him his first pair of turntables.

At age 15 he was opening parties for Dave Merritt & Vinny Divine at various club house parties. These gigs opened the door for DJ Izrail to spin at many of the house music parties at Main Street roller rink...

Around the same time DJ Izrail started mixing on WDGC FM (a high school radio station). Since then Izrail has played on numerous FM Radio stations and at numerous night clubs in the city of Chicago. In 1998 he started featuring his mixes on deephousepage.com.

In 2000 DJ Izrail started djing outside of Chicago. One of the livest spots he has played at is the Queen Night Club in Paris ‘Respect Is Burning’. He has also done a mix for Nova Radio in France, played at Belgium’s ‘Fame sucks’, and did a live mix for the city’s Studio Brussel.

We broadcast DJ Izrail's first exclusive mini-mix back in December 2011.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Boogizm vs Itch - Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd June 2012

As the Bank Holiday and festival season approaches, itch is back at The Adelphi to rub shoulders with the Boogizm crew for 8 hours of the best party music... for FREE!

Boogizm vs Itch
Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd June 2012


itch returns from a period of hibernation to celebrate 9 years since our first party – and what better way than to join forces with the guys behind Preston’s best party at present - Boogizm - in one of our previous venues...

All the itch extended family will be in attendance along with Boogizm residents. Get involved!

Cottam | Paul Watson | Paul Thornton | Chris Holt
Tom Boogizm | Tom Ireland | Reggy Booth 

Upstairs at The Adelphi | Preston | Free Entry | 8pm-4am

facebook.com/itchpreston | facebook.com/boogizmsounds | Event on Facebook
 
Check our Events page for many more listings

Sunday 13 May 2012

Dig Deep with Neal Howard (Chicago) 170512


This week's show features another exclusive mix from the Dig Deep Chicago family - it's house & techno pioneer, DJ and producer Neal Howard (Future Sound Records / Network)!

In 1988 Neal released To Be Or Not To Be on Future Sound records.  The 12" included productions from Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson as well as Neal's own output.

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Dig Deep with Fraser (Trailer Trash) 030512


On this week's show we welcome back semi-regular guest and all round dusty crate digging supremo Fraser aka Fraser Funk.

Lovingly described by the Trailer Trash crew as their secret weapon, Fraser is also a resident at Country Club, one of the Vinyl Miners, and a musician in his own right.  As well as having djed at Leeds clubs The Wardrobe and Sela bar, and recently working with the Best Joined Up Crew, Fraser has played every year at the mighty Beat-Herder Festival.

An oracle on world music, Fraser has been collecting funk, soul, jazz, afro, latin and library music for two and a half decades, amassing an amazing musical knowledge over the years, and comes with a pedigree that can only be rivalled by the likes of good friend Sean P...

Saturday 14 April 2012

Dig Deep with Paul Thornton (Itch / Dig Deep) 190412


On this week's show Dig Deep presenter and itch DJ Paul Thornton takes control for the full two hours.  Expect house, disco, boogie, techno, funk and soul classics with a few more obscure cuts...

Tracklist:
Karma - High Priestess (Jazzanova remix) (Compost)
Kaidi Taitham & Dego - Got Me Puzzled (2020 Black)
Ron Trent - Morning Factory (Prescription)
Minos Pour Main Basse (Sur La Ville) - Tout Doit Disparaitre (Everything Must Go) (Different Recordings)
Slow Hands - An Edit To Remember (Wolf & Lamb)
Equisite Taste - Its You That's Happening (Starlight)
Legs & Co - I Like What Youre Doing To Me (Disco Deviance)
Roy Ayers feat Sylvia Striplin - Searchin (OE Edit) (Onur Engin Edits)
High Speed Connection - Does It Feel Good (Pete Herbert Edit) (Disco Deviance)
The Kings Arms - No Good For You (Wolf & Lamb)
Deadly Sins - Catch A Dub (Giant Cuts)

Thursday 5 April 2012

Dig Deep with Gene Hunt (Trax / Chicago)


On this week's show we are honoured to broadcast an exclusive 1 hour DJ mix by legendary Chicago DJ Gene Hunt.

Gene Hunt is a true pioneer of Chicago house music. Since the early 80's he has been a leader on the scene, moving and educating crowds and music lovers at the likes of the Warehouse, The Music Box, Medusa's and The Playground; and has worked with Farley Jack master Funk, Robert Owens, Larry Heard, Terry Hunter and Kenny Dope to name a few.

Gene started djing in 1986 at the young age of 14, building his reputation as a key DJ in the local scene doing gigs at hotel parties, like Bismarck, La Mirage, Sauers, Da Vinci Manor, AKA and the Riviera. He was also a resident at the the Hyatt Park Athletic Club, where he dj'ed alongside Ron Hardy. Gene gradually became Ron's protégé and as Ron passed on his musical knowledge onto the youngster the pair started recording music together as well.

Gene released his first EP, Living In The Land on Trax in 1987 and went on to release music on other labels such as Djax, Hybrid, Svek, Maad, Dopewax, Moods & Grooves.

Being a key player on the scene resulted in many local producers giving Gene reel-to-reel tapes of their new productions for him to play out in the clubs. Many of these were unreleased and a lot of producers lost their own tracks over the years. Luckily, Gene kept his copies like a librarian and now, 25 years (or more) later, Gene has made these available on his Chicago Dance Tracks LP via Rush Hour.

The LP includes early outputs dating back to 1982-83; including tracks from Mr Fingers, Steve Pointdexter, Farely & Steve Hurley, Ron Hardy's original version of Sensation, Gene's version of Donnie, and a mash up of a Larry Heard track, which was a Music Box / Ron Hardy favorite. These were the tracks that labels such as Trax or DJ International deemed not commercial (i.e. not radio friendly) enough, but were all the more popular in the Chicago clubs.

When djing, Gene fuses soulful vocal house and disco with heavier tracks to take the listener on a journey through dark and light as he twists from breath-taking highs to gut wrenching lows - and this week's mix is no exception...

Sunday 18 March 2012

Dig Deep with Templebys


On this week's show we welcome up and coming Preston based funk band, The Templebys into the studio to play some of their tracks in the run up to playing live at this Saturday's Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club event.

They will come armed with some some rare and exclusive recordings of the band, from both the studio and at their most recent live gig at The Mad Ferrit which was recorded especially for Preston FM.

If you are yet to hear The Templebys, band members Kim Hollin (Vocals), Alec Hollin (Guitar), Chris Mather (Bass), Nick Broadbent (Drums), Dave Farnworth (Keys) have been refining their authentic sound for time, and their tracks sit neatly next to the likes of Alice Russell, Breakestra, Sharon Jones & The Daptones, The Meters, Laura Vane & The Vipertones, Vicki Anderson etc...

Thursday 8 March 2012

Dig Deep with Paul Thornton (Funk & Soul 45 Special) 080312


On this week's show we wade our way through a wedge of funk and soul 45s - old and new.  Expect a 7" special that joins the dots between Nina Simone, Leon Austin (a rare James Brown production), big funk covers, sweet soul sisters and breaks galore.

Paul really has dug deep this week as we gear up for the forthcoming Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club event taking place at 53 Degrees on March 24th featuring The Templebys & The Milk Live plus DJ selections from Craig Charles plus support from the Preston FM funk duo that is Holt & Thornton.  

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Robert Glasper remix competition delivers some things of beauty...


Thought I'd just take a moment to share this Robert Glasper remix competition as he is one of my favourite jazz musicians in the world today...  Check out the competition Leaderboard to hear all the entries. The Detroit based Tall Black Guy's remix stands out to me - currently up for free download from Soundcloud...

Thursday 23 February 2012

Dig Deep with John Tree (The Perfumed Garden) 230212


On this week's show we are very pleased to welcome DJ, percussionist and occasional producer John Tree into the studio for a chat and an exclusive mix-down.  Let's face it, anyone that gets their very own bespoke Beat-Herder flower pot is alright by us...

Djing since 1991, John's early sets were very eclectic as his love for music held no bounds and he often clashed styles purposefully.  John has since streamlined his selections, focussing on the places where dance music and world music meet, effortlessly combining Brazilian, Jamaican, African, Tech/Deep House, Bass and Electro Swing.

Resident at Solfest's Lovely Dogs in Space since 2008, and co-founder and resident at Blackpool's Fusion Fridays from 2007-2010, his growing roster of other festivals includes Garden Of Delights, Blackburn Mela, Exodus, Showzam, Arts in the Park, Free Rotation, Bearded Theory, Alchemy; John is possibly best known for organising the Perfumed Garden stage at the mighty Beat-Herder Festival!

Describing the tunes he has lined up for the mini-mix as "mainly latin, cumbia, electro swing, and moombahton" it's safe to say we are expecting somethings fresh and sometimes heavy from John's set that is sure to fit in with our eclectic tastes.

Plus PT's dug deep and come up with a box full of Latinesque tunes, both old and new, aimed at fusing the cracks between Detroit, Panama, Cuba, Italy, London, Germany and Africa.

Monday 6 February 2012

Dig Deep with Paul Watson (Itch / Wired For Sound) 090212


On this week's show we are very pleased to welcome DJ, producer, club promoter, record boffin, and all round taste maker, Paul Watson.

After doing 6 mini-mixes for the show over the years (going as far back as December 2006 and most recently a Back From Brazil mix in May 2011) we're really pleased to have Paul live in the studio for the first time.

Thursday 26 January 2012

Dig Deep with the Boogizm crew #2 260112


On tonight's show we welcome back the Boogizm resident DJs Tom Ireland and Tom Boogizm.  Expect an eclectic blend of sweet club music as we let them loose on the decks for and hour and a half.  They bring with them the Preston based club nights 3rd resident DJ, Reggy Booth aka DJ Philadelphia...

We gave you the low down on Tom and Tom back in November, so here's a little bit about Reggy from Tom B... "Reggy's been dj'ing since he was 17 (that's 19yrs).  He's one of the original Wigan house heads.  Put loads of party's on in Berlin with his mate Ben Keeley, they call themselves S9. And he's proper soft ;)"

Friday 20 January 2012

2011 Top 30 Chart


Some might say mid January is a little late for an end of year chart, however some might argue good things come to those that wait.  Here's Paul Thornton's Top 30 from 2011...

Thursday 12 January 2012

Dig Deep with Paul Thornton 120112


The first Dig Deep show of 2012 comes in the form of a PT take over for the full two hours.

Fresh from a new year's dig in the man den, expect a little journey from Pete Rock to Cottam and Marcellous Pittman via Freddie Hubbard, Lonnie Smith and Billy Ocean (kid you not). Plus a mini mix at 9pm followed by the usual club tips gig guide.