Dig Deep with DJ Izrail Dizko & Voc Walters (Tradition / Chicago)

Nearing the end of an era. I have only got 2 more Dig Deep On Preston FM's to do, including tonight's show. I've been with the station since the early days of 2006. During the last 8 years I been lucky enough to work with a lot of fantastic guest DJs, selectors, music heads, artists and promoters from around the world; many of which I now count as true friends

For me it's always been about digging deep into other people's record collections and discovering the gems that are loved by others but are new to me. And that's been far more educational than school ever was!! I always say people can't like music they don't get to hear, so as a radio presenter it's been an honour and a privilege to be in a position where I can broadcast 2 hours of fresh and different tracks on each and every show.

So for my last 2 shows at Preston FM I am handing the Dig Deep turntables over to the guests for the full 2 hours with only minimal chatter from me. It's all about the music, and is a chance to hear 2 great DJs in action that you may not have had the chance to hear otherwise....

Dig Deep with Mr Mendel #2 (Basic Fingers / Lumberjacks In Hell)

On this week's show to get you in the bank holiday mood I am honoured to bring you part 3 of an exclusive mix from Amsterdam based DJ & Producer - Mr Mendel.

Dig Deep on Preston FM with Mr Mendel #2 by Paul Thornton on Mixcloud

Dig Deep with Davo (Scene) #2

This week's show is a game of two halves. In the first hour Paul will be digging deep in the hip hop crates, covering tracks from 1979 through to 2014.  In the 2nd hour, we have special guest DJ Davo dropping some deep drum and bass.

Dig Deep on Preston FM with Davo #2 by Paul Thornton on Mixcloud

Davo is possibly best known as head honcho at Preston based skate shop 'Scene'.  The shops annual parties are a highlight on the city's clubbing calendar and 2014 is no exception.

A face on the underground scene for years, Davo is well known as a quality drum and bass DJ.

Scene's 17th Birthday Party
Sunday 4th May 2014

The Day: 12pm-7pm (FREE) - The Continental, Preston
Live graffiti jam by the Infamous Last Words crew
Plus beats served up by Operation Sound System and Preston DJ's:
Paul Thornton, Karl Yates and North Fiyah crew.

The Night: 10pm-3am (£3 Advance tickets) £5 on the door - Club Tonic, Preston
Local artists will be spinning an eclectic mix of Reggae and Drum & Bass
Sound provide by Operation Sound System

Event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1406054319661052/

Scene Preston: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scene-Preston/206901352686973

Playlist:

Dig Deep on Preston FM with Cottam #2

On this week's show we have a Cottam special. There is a wedge of his new & forthcoming tracks in the first hour. In the 2nd hour he takes to the decks with a set put together especially for the show.

Dig Deep on Preston FM with Cottam #2 by Paul Thornton on Mixcloud

After dj'ing and tinkering since the age of 14, Cottam burst onto the scene in 2009 with the release of three 12"s of quality deep house music. His brand of house music takes influences from soul, hiphop, afrobeat, disco, dub and techno.

Prolific since the start, Cottam's back catalogue is bulging. In March 2014 he releases his debut 12" on his own Ruff Draft label, and there is a two tracker on the new Machine label. In April his Ruff Treatment mix of Al Gobi's Cup Of Tea comes out on Constant State.

Facebook
soundcloud.com/cottam
Mixcloud

Cottam on Juno Records: http://goo.gl/3Xkw9s
Cottam on Juno Download: http://goo.gl/f4Uo1h

Playlist:

Dig Deep with Simba (Stripped & Chewed / Home Taping) #2

On this month's show we are pleased as punch to welcome back local DJ and Producer Simba aka Chris Grant to the Dig Deep decks.

Simba grew up listening to soul funk boogie and disco records on his dad's record player and you can really hear that deep soulful vibe in both his DJ sets and his productions.

Dig Deep on Preston FM with Simba #2 by Paul Thornton on Mixcloud

As a DJ Simba has been doing it for years.  A master of many styles, when he gets on a deep one his sets could be mistaken for something Theo Parrish, Andres, Mark E of The Revenge might put together.  Simba is currently involved in the FAM (Fashion Art Music) club night that takes place at Glovers Bar in Preston. And he is connected with the For No Reason crew.

As happens with many a natural DJ, his love of the music led him into production and he has been busy working away in the studio for a few years now.

Simba's Three Kays track got a lot of love from me in 2013. So much so it kicked off my End Of Year Run Down vinyl chart landing at number 30.  Released just under a year ago on the Chicago based Stripped & Chewed label, this 12" was an early sign of what is to come.

Simba's ace Phase One Seq is due out very soon on the consistently strong Home Taping label.  The 12" comes with a remix from The Black Madonna.




Simba's mix is an excerpt from his recent FAM Promo Mix that is still up for download on Soundcloud.

PT has a tight selection of brazilian jazzfunk disco house afro and techno lined up for the 1st hour.

Dig Deep with Voc Walters #3 (Chicago) 300114

This week Voc Walters returns to Dig Deep with his 3rd mix for the show.  We can always count on Voc to keep it fresh with plenty of new cuts whilst staying true to his Windy City roots.  Expect soulful boogie through to acid tracks and deep discofied house.

Dig Deep on Preston FM with Voc Walters #3 by Paul Thornton on Mixcloud

Voc first started spinning records at the age of 12. Growing up on the south side of Chicago provided him with many influences such as the Hot Mix 5, Pharris Thomas, Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles, Lil Louis & Steve Hurley.

Voc made a few appearances on the big stage early on. Those appearances included The Ascot Hotel (Chicago), The Hyde Park Racketball Club (Chicago) and a guest appearance on WKKC Chicago in the 80's.

These appearances were along side the likes of Mr. Gene Hunt, Tyree Cooper, Pharris Thomas and Lloyd Dev just to name a few...

Recent appearances at Artis's Lounge in Chicago, one with Gene Hunt and at the Output Lounge with Dave Britton and Czr, The Uptown Lounge (Chicago), Leo's Den (Chicago) and has been an occasional guest DJ on Chicago's Soul 106.3 FM along side of Mike Dunn, Dj Lil John and Sundance as well as WKKC 89.3 F.M. Chicago.

Voc continues as a resident Dj on chicagohouseradio.com where he is the creator of the "Operation Underground" mix show. Voc took an absence from actively mixing for over ten years.

In 2007, he made a return to mixing and hasn't looked back. Recent influences include Larry Heard, Gene Hunt, Lloyd Dev, Julius The Mad Thinker, Jamie 326, Osunlade & Dj Emanuel.

Voc continues to bring you Classic/Disco while focusing on introducing you to the new underground style of house with hints of a unique type of music that peaks your interest.

Voc's goal is to give you a complete house experience with every mix and to leave you wanting more......

Four Corners Radio Show - Dig Deep Takover

Four Corners Radio Show - Dig Deep Takeover by Paul Thornton on Mixcloud

As we switched things around for the new Boogie Down Thursday series, this week's Four Corners is a Dig Deep takeover.

Paul Thornton is in for Chris Holt and he has a bag full of funk jazz afro and soul to cover the 1st hour. Chris Chris Holt -Four Corners Radio Holt takes to the decks for the 2nd hour with another special mix. All vinyl throughout.

Playlist:
To follow

Dig Deep on Preston FM End Of Year Throwdown - Boxing Day 2013

It's that time of year where I run through my favourite records of the year.  The Dig Deep on Cowbell show featured the full Top 30.  This shorter show on Preston FM features tracks #18 through to #1.

As usual 2013's records of the year come from the up and coming through to the time served dons.

Dig Deep with Chris Da Mentalist (Edit / Jaegerossa) # 2 281113

Chris Da Mentalist, one half of Jaegerossa, will be joining me for this Thursday's Dig Deep On Preston FM for the second time.

With launch of  The Edit with Phil Rose & Chris Da Mentalist Radio Show, the Edit at The Imperial and Baku Lounge events that have had CJ Mackintosh, Graeme Park and Grant Nelson as headliners, and with remixes in the bag for the likes of Lenny Fontana, Lisa Millet on Musol, and Dave RedSoul's Playmore label, 2013 has been a busy year for the Preston based DJ / Producer / Presenter.

During the first hour Chris will be telling us more about what he has been up to, airing a couple of his own productions and chatting about the forthcoming events he is involved with featuring Joey Negro, Greg Wilson and K-Klass.

Around 9pm Chris will be taking over the decks for an hour long mini-mix featuring some Hacienda classics, a Jaegerossa edit or two and some newish tracks from this year.

Dig Deep with Mikey D.O.N #4 311013

On this weeks show Mikey D.O.N. returns for his 4th appearance on the show. Mikey needs little or no introduction around these parts. To say he is a respected music head that knows a thing or two about records is an understatement.

Mikey's passion for a good tune has rained through in bucket loads every time he has been on the show and afterwards when the faders are down we often chat for a good while longer about music.

From his own club nights at Night Of The Living Dread at Band On The Wall and AWAG at Mooch, Mikey has never forgotten his hip hop roots.  Unbelievably he has never owned a pair of turntables, but when he gets behind the decks he knows how to own the crowd; be that playing reggae and dancehall, funk and soul, breaks and boogie, house and techno or 2 step and jungle.

On this week's show we are going two for two before and after Mikey's mini-mix at 9pm. We might even break out into one of his infamous soundclashes, but based on last times clash outcome I'm going into that one as the student...

Live Broadcast: Thursday 31th October 2013 8-10pm
Repeated: Sunday 3rd November 5-7pm

Listen online via Tune In Radio or tune to 103.2fm

Dig Deep with the Boogizm crew #4 171013

On this Thursday's Dig Deep on Preston FM I am excited to be joined by special guests Tom Boogizm and Chris Feinmann, and Papa Stan from Mooch.

Stan is leading the charge in Preston against the anti-underground and gives us an overview of what is and has been happening in the city's newest music venue.

It's Tom's 4th appearance on the show. If you caught any of the previous shows with the Boogizm crew you will know that Tom has a huge love of music which includes everything from jazz to 2 step, afro to boogie, hip hop to beatdown house music, dub to latin and most things in between. He has an awesome record collection, knows how to put them together, was at the front of the queue when they were giving out character and then sneaked back in for 2nds.

Tom is one of the ring leaders at the North West UK's up and coming underground club night, Boogizm, and recently supported Owiny Sigoma Band when they played in Manchester.

In contrast, it's Chris's 1st visit to the show.  As well as being heavily involved in Boogizm with Tom, Chris is resident at Manchester club night Development alongside Mike O'Mara and Tom Lynch aka Tomson.

The list of excellent and big guests that the Development the lads had on over the years is quite long but it includes Rahaan, DJ Spinna, Dixon, Metro Area and 6th Borough Project.  The Development Music record label that ran alongside the night kept the pedigree benchmark high on their releases.

Dig Deep with Mikey D.O.N #3 031013

On tonight's Dig Deep we are honoured to welcome Mikey D.O.N. into the studio for the 3rd time.

Fresh from his recent sets in Preston at Mooch events Viva Vinyl and the launch of his own Anything With A Groove night, you can expect a freestyle mash up of hip hop, funk, soul, boogie, disco, house, techno, broken beat, reggae and everything in between as we dig in the crates of all that is good.

 For those not aware of Mikey's pedigree, check the write up for his first visit here.  Don't miss this rare treat of Mikey in the mix from the comfort of your home. This one's gonna be MAAAAD.

Dig Deep with Dave Prentice 190913 (Infektus)

On this week's show we are pleased to welcome some local Preston based talent into the studio.

Dave Prentice is a DJ and Producer with a vast taste for most forms of music. When Djing the vibe is usually both deep and dark be it Nu-Disco, House or Techno.

Dave has been collecting music for at least 20 years and started producing in the mid nineties with the use of old analogue synths, groove-boxes and drum machines.

He bought his first set of CDJs at the turn of the new century (having caught the bug of mixing some 5 years earlier from his good friend Darren Lucas aka Keyfun) before eventually going on to purchase his first set of Technics vinyl turntables 10 years later.

Clearly the original pioneers from Detroit have heavily influenced Dave's style, as have his close friends Darren Lucas aka Keyfun and Paul Cottam aka Cottam.

The Contact EP on the Spanish techno label Infektus is on the horizon with a release date very soon. Expect a taster during the show.

We will be getting to know a bit more about Dave in the first hour whilst PT digs deep in the house and techno boxes. At 9pm Dave takes over on the decks for an hour long DJ set of all things deep and dark.

We can't wait to hear what this learned gentleman of the underground dance world will pull out of the bag when we let him loose on the Dig Deep turntables.

Dig Deep with DJ Izrail (Chicago / Tradition) #5 050913

On this week's show we welcome back head of the Chicago Dig Deep Family and Tradition resident DJ Izrail Dizko.

Respected selector and all round DJ booth wrecker, Izrail has dropped another jacking one hour long set that would rip the roof off any discerning house loving club.

The exclusive mix represents the true underground sound of the Windy city as Izrail roots through his collection and plays from the heart.  Full of his now trademark vibes, but this time on an old school tip, he has dedicated this 5th Dig Deep mix to our friends at Lets go back in Glasgow.

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, he's recently played alongside Roy Davis jr, Paul Johnson and Rahaan to name a few.

Currently a resident at Tradition, Izrail is putting on some great looking nights and is back behind the decks this Friday 7th September at the Underground Wonder Bar in Chicago.  The line up also features house veteran Glenn Underground, Boogie Nite and legendary vocalist Curtis Harman aka Cei Bei.  Check the event on Facebook for more info.

After that Tradition presents the 'Message In Our Music' night on 5th October featuring special guests Craig Alexander and Lady D.  Keep an eye on this guy, there's much more to come...

Dig Deep with Dave D'Master Merritt (No Name) #3 230813

On this week's show we are honoured to welcome back legendary producer and DJ Dave D'Master Merritt for his 3rd Dig Deep mix.

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.

Dave has put together an exclusive birthday mix for us to celebrate his special day.  As is tradition now from the Chicago Dig Deep Family DJs, the mix is a mash up of many styles that reflect the true 'House' sound of the Windy City.

Trainspotters, tapers, house veterans and disco divas be ready, this mix is special.

August 24th is Dave's Official Birthday Party, taking place at The Checkerboard Lounge in Chicago.  Dave will be spinning along side Al 'Hot Mix' Holmes, Derek Jones, Bruce Ivery and head of the Chicago Dig Deep Family and close friend DJ Izrail.

Dig Deep with Voc Walters #2 (Chicago) 080813

On this week's show we bring you another exclusive one hour set from Chicago based DJ and all round nice guy Voc Walters.  It's Voc's 2nd mix for the show and it's a non stop dance off!!

Voc does big room house music in the way that many attempt but few perfect. His relentless sets come soaked in disco music's sweet vocals and basslines whilst morphing together soulful garage and the darker but funky sound of chicago.

Voc first started spinning records at the age of 12. Growing up on the south side of Chicago provided him with many influences such as the Hot Mix 5, Pharris Thomas, Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles, Lil Louis & Steve Hurley.

Voc made a few appearances on the big stage early on. Those appearances included the Ascot Hotel and The Hyde Park Racketball Club in Chicago, and a guest appearance on WKKC Chicago in the 80's. These appearances were along side the likes of Mr. Gene Hunt, Tyree Cooper, Pharris Thomas and Lloyd Dev just to name a few...

Dig Deep with Boo Williams (SJU Muzic / Strictly Jaz Unit) Re-run 250713

Tonight I am re-running the show featuring none other than Boo Williams. Originally broadcast last year, it the one with that ace summer vibed mix from one of Chicago's finest.

A brand new mix from Boo has just landed and I hope to be airing that soon on my new show on Dig Deep On Cowbell Radio...

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.

Dig Deep with K'Alexi Shelby (K Klassik / Transmat) Re-run 110713

On this week’s we re-run the first Dig Deep to feature legendary Chicago house and techno producer / DJ K Alexi Shelby, better known as K'Alexi aka El Chocalata, in the mix for 1 hour. Originally broadcast back in December 2012, K's mix shows us all how it should be done and will leave you in no doubt as to why he is regarded as one of the top DJs on the planet.

Dig Deep with Paul Lynch #1 (International DJ) 130613

This show features born and bred Wigan based record collector and international DJ Paul Lynch.  I first met Paul in Preston at Boogizm, and after sharing a bit of a mad car journey home from another Boogizm in Manchester, an appearance on the show was inevitable.

Paul L takes to the decks around an hour in to drop some top notch and treasured soul, funk and boogie 7"s in the mini-mix.

Vinyl picking aside, we'll get chance to chat to Paul about his roots, influences, record collection and the places he has played at across the world.

In the first hour expect some new deep and chilled bits and pieces from PT including the likes of Moodymann, Tall Black Guy, Jesse Futerman and Frameworks before getting into some quality jazz from Albert Ayler, Herbie Hancock, Milton Nascimento & Lo Borges and Gregory Porter to name just a few.

Mini-Mix DJ: Paul Lynch (International DJ)

Full playlist to follow:

Broadcast: Thursday 13th June 2013 8-10pm
Repeated: Sunday 16th June 2013 5-7pm
Preston 103.2 FM / online at Tune In Radio

PT is back on Cowbell Radio on Saturday 17th August with a 3 hour throwdown and another very special guest in the mix.  Follow the show at www.facebook.com/DigDeepOnCowbellRadio

Dig Deep with DJ Izrail (Chicago / Tradition) #4 300513

We have some exciting bits and pieces on this week's show plus another special guest from Chicago.

Expect the first play of a new track from Simba, a TK Disco classic, some deepness from Marcellus Pittman, a gem from Jorge Ben, a bomb from Donnie, house to die for from Terry Hunter, newness from Soundstream, plus DJ Izrail Dizko returns to Dig Deep in the mini-mix.

Head of the Chicago Dig Deep Family, it's Izrail's 4th mix for the show and we're really starting to hear his trademark vibe and sound now as he cuts through those rare tracks that make you jack and always leave you wanting that bit more...