Dig Deep End Of Year Throwdown 291211

On this weeks show we have the annual Dig Deep End Of Year Throwdown, where Paul works his way through his favourite Top 30 new releases of the past year.

Expect the usual unusual eclectic mash up of house, disco, funk, reggae, hip hop, afrobeat and everything in between.  Here's the Top 30...

Dig Deep with Boogie Nite the 7inch 45king

On this weeks show we have Chicago based DJ 'Boogie Nite the 7inch 45king' in the Mini-Mix with an exclusive 30 minute set of rare and underground disco funk killers.

Boogie Nite honed his skills playing on the Windy City's underground party scene alongside a hot bed of iconic DJs, and is a member of the Chicago based Chuck Brothers; a collective of DJ's and Producers which includes DJ Rahaan, Cee White, Bruce Ivery & Afrodesia to name a few.  As a producer, he has released records under the name Urban Legendz - check his edits on Soundcloud.

He has also won the annual DJ competition on the Bring The Heat website for two years on the trot, taking on DJs from all across the globe in a competition where you can only play rare disco records!

Dig Deep with DJ Izrail #1 (Chicago)

On this weeks show we have Chicago based DJ Izrail in the mini-mix, plus a wedge of my favourite house tracks from Chicago's rich history.

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...

Dig Deep on Preston FM with DJ Izrail #1 by Paul Thornton on Mixcloud

Dig Deep with the Boogizm crew 171111

Live in the studio this week we are pleased to welcome the Boogizm resident DJs Tom Ireland and Tom Boogizm.  Hailing from the hub of Northern Soul that is Wigan, it's fair to say The Toms know a thing or two about music.

Disenfranchised by the wrong end of Mancunia, they fell upon the Unabombers and the Electric Chair and never looked back!  The seminal club literally changed their lives and they would regularly get down early to make sure they got to hear the early doors music and watch the night unfold.

The Chair's influence is highly visible in everthing Boogizm related from the artwork, the decor, the vibe, and most importantly, the music.

Dig Deep with Leeroy 031111

Dig Deep with Leeroy 031111 by digdeepradioshow

This one's for the beat heads, the diggers, the funk lovers, true hip hop fans i.e. anyone that has even bobbed their head to the sound of A Tribe Called Quest, EPMD, Gangstar, DJ Premier, Big Dady Kane, Ultramagnetic MCs, J Dilla, De La Soul, The Pharcyde, Common, Nas, Pete Rock, Slum Village, Public Enemy, Q-Tip..

Dig Deep with Mikey D.O.N 201011

This weeks show features a a very special Dig Deep sound-clash with Mikey D.O.N (Krispy 3 / Night Of The Living Dread).

Mikey aka Microphone D.O.N was a key player in the original Chorley based crew Krispy aka Krispy 3 - arguably one of the best, and least acknowledged, British rap groups of all time.

The crew consisting of Mikey D.O.N and Mr Wiz came via their father's sound system, Mellow Tone, and went on to release records packed with wit and charisma on Kold Sweat and US indie Bomb.

As well demonstrating his MCing skills with Jinx In Dub, Mikey is a formidable DJ in his own right and has amassed a superb record collection full of rare and sought after gems.

(Fast forward to 2013 and Mikey's 'Night Of The Living Dread' night has been filling the Band On The Wall in Manchester for time. The night that promises Dub to Dancehall, Roots Rockers to Ragga via Lovers Rock went monthly as of March 2013.)

Well known for not taking any prisoners in the DJ booth, Mikey laid down the challenge to one of his infamous sound-clashes and we agreed the arena would be set on reggae funk soul jazz disco afro vibes...

Dig Deep with Nick the Greek (Zunday Zocial) 061011

This weeks show features Blackpool based soul enthusiast Nick Street aka Nick the Greek.  Big friends with legendary New York DJ and disco producer John Morales, Nick knows a thing or too about music with soul.

In his spare time away from running his own DJ Agency and holding down a DJ residency at Zunday Zocial (Bar 137), Nick balances his time between Freelance Journalism and digging for sought after soul, disco and boogie records.  Very much an enthusiast as much as a DJ, what Nick doesn't know about the roots of quality music isn't worth knowing.

Dig Deep with Eamonn Murphy (Monkeys In Love) 220911

This weeks show features Blackpool born and Salfordian based monkey man Eamonn Murphy (Monkeys In Love).  We've wrestled him away from the guitar, whilst he takes a night off from the band, to throwdown a mixed bag of records that are simply classified as all's that good.

A regular on Chris Holt's fabulous Four Corners Radio Show, Murph's selections are always inspiring whilst his banter is 2nd to none!  Tonight we've invited him to Dig Deep in his eclectic record collection and fetch the result into the studio - expect a record dolly bird on each arm and little bit of everything that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Playlist to follow...

Thursday 22nd September 2011
Preston FM
8-10pm
Listen online here or tune to 103.2fm

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Upcoming shows:

Dig Deep with Fraser Todd (Joint Custody) 080911

This week's shows features Fraser Todd (Joint Custody) live in the studio for a chat before we let him loose on the decks for the mini-mix at 9pm.

Fraser will be playing tracks that mean something to him right now, old and new.  Tracks that he likes to play that remind him of family and friends, and what suits the crowd...

Fraser likes the element of surprise in his sets, and describes his style as an eclectic blend of electronic and disco influenced grooves.

As well as playing at some big local events, such as For No Reason and this year's CityLove Festival on the Preston FM stage, Fraser has also DJ'd at some well known venues further a field, such as Pacha London, Back to Basics and Sankeys.

Legends of the dancefloor: A Piece Of Paradise - Part 5 260811

Preston FM are proud to broadcast Parts 1-5 of the excellent documentary "A Piece Of Paradise" New York's Paradise Garage club and its DJ Larry Levan. This was first broadcast by BBC 6 Music earlier this month.

The Weekend - Thank Larry Its Friday.  Part 5 features five interviews from people very close to Larry Levan including Manny Lehmann, Michael Debenedictus, Brian Chinn, Rochelle Flemming and Bobby Viteritti.  Produced by Eddie Gordon & Lenny Fontana.

Dig Deep with Kim (Trailer Trash) Live at The Beat-Herder 250811

This weeks show features a wedge of deep house music from the likes of Ron Trent, Andre Lodeman & Kenny Dixon Jr, alongside some classic Larry Levan related tracks.

Plus 40 minutes of ace discoboogie from Kim (Trailer Trash) recorded live at Beat-Herder 2011 on the Saturday night. Kim's set compliments Preston FM's Larry Levan week perfectly.

Full tracklisting to follow.

You can download all 120 minutes of Kim's set here on the Trailer Trash website.  There's a load of other Beat-Herder sets on the TT site, including Greg Wilson, Sean P, Fraser, James Deane, Martin Dean and Underground Roots to name just a few.

Legends of the dancefloor: A Piece Of Paradise - Part 4 250811

Preston FM are proud to broadcast Parts 1-5 of the excellent documentary "A Piece Of Paradise" New York's Paradise Garage club and its DJ Larry Levan.  

Produced by Eddie Gordon & Lenny Fontana, this was first broadcast by BBC 6 Music earlier this month.

Part 4 - 3500 miles from Paradise. The English administered Paul Oakenfold, DJ's Harvey & Heidi. Justin Berkman, inspired by Larry, returns and creates the Ministry Of Sound.

Legends of the dancefloor: A Piece Of Paradise - Part 3 240811

Preston FM are proud to broadcast Parts 1-5 of the excellent documentary "A Piece Of Paradise" New York's Paradise Garage club and its DJ Larry Levan. This was first broadcast by BBC 6 Music earlier this month.

Wednesday's Show - 57th Heaven - Larry Levan's Birthday.

Part 3 features interviews with DJ Victor Rosado, singer Taana Gardner and DJ David Depino.  Three people who worked with Larry Levan closely. Produced by Eddie Gordon & Lenny Fontana.

Larry would have been 57 years old this month had he not succumbed to heart failure due to his narcotic addiction.  One of his career highlights in his short 38 years was his remix of Gwen Guthrie's song "Seventh Heaven" for Island Records.

Tonight we are given a close perspective of Larry from two of his co-DJ's and the artist who's record Levan remixed to success.

Legends of the dancefloor: A Piece Of Paradise - Part 2 230811

Preston FM are proud to broadcast Parts 1-5 of the excellent documentary "A Piece Of Paradise" New York's Paradise Garage club and its DJ Larry Levan. This was first broadcast by BBC 6 Music earlier this month.

Part 2 features 9 interviews from the movers and shakers of Manhattan during those halcyon days from the 70's.  Produced by Eddie Gordon & Lenny Fontana.  Two Towers, Levan & Crocker own NYC.

Legends of the dancefloor: A Piece Of Paradise - Part 1 220811

Preston FM are proud to broadcast Parts 1-5 of the excellent documentary "A Piece Of Paradise" New York's Paradise Garage club and its DJ Larry Levan. This was first broadcast by BBC 6 Music earlier this month.

Produced by Eddie Gordon & Lenny Fontana.  Part 1 features interviews with Michael Linder, Vince Aletti, Nicky Siano, Judy Weinstein and Tom Moulton. Reflections from NYC's top table who saw the era from the floor up through the disco daze past the Millennium.

Dig Deep with Mr Scruff Live at The Beat-Herder 110811

This weeks show features Part 4 of Mr Scruff in the mini-mix, recorded live in the Toiltrees at this year's Beatherder Festival.

Scruff's Herder debut on the Sunday afternoon was one of the festival highlights for many.

The mix starts a couple of hours into his 5 hour set, as Mr Scruff takes us up with some belting newish releases alongside a few classics.  Don't miss Chris Holt's Four Corners show on Wednesday 10th August between 8-10pm for Part 3 of the set.

We'll be playing more of the set in the forthcoming month's, alongside a raft of other sets recorded at the festival in the Trailer Trash Lounge.

Dig Deep with Mr Scruff Live at The Beat-Herder 280711

This weeks show features 30 minutes of Mr Scruff in the mini-mix, recorded live in the Toiltrees at this year's Beatherder Festival.

Scruff's Herder debut on the Sunday afternoon was one of the festival highlights for many.

The mix starts 30 minutes into his 5 hour set, as Mr Scruff eases us in with some wicked reggae vibes.  Don't miss Chris Holt's Four Corners show on Wednesday 27th July between 8-10pm for the first 30 minutes.

Dig Deep: CityLove Festival Special 140711

Preston FM are proud to be hosting one of the 6 arenas at this year's first CityLove festival.  You will find Paul and his fellow DJ's playing in the Source Bar between 4pm - 11pm under the banner 'music with soul'.

On this week's show Paul invites festival organisers Jack Barron and Stephen Alexander into the studio to tell us all about the event.  Plus Yffi (For No Reason), Dirty Tourists (Lowroom Recordings) and The Filth Wizard (Beats of Rage) will be down to play some tunes throughtout the show.

Digging in the corner 100711

Preston FM has reached the 1000 days on air mark!  To celebrate, Chris Holt's Four Corners joins forces with Paul Thornton's Dig Deep for two hours of northern daftness plus some of the best funk soul jazz reggae afrobeat hip hop latin and house tunes for a 'Digging in the Corner' one off programme.

Live show - Sunday 10th July 2011
No Repeat
Preston FM
6-8pm

Listen online or tune to 103.2fm

More pictures on Facebook here.

Dig Deep: Getting ready for't Beatherder 300611

With 2011's Beatherder Festival almost upon us, Chris Holt (Four Corners) and Paul Thornton (Dig Deep) got together for a 3.5 hour jam, hit Record, and came up with a mix of funk fuelled tunes to play on the shows this week...

There's some serious bass business, and a couple of tongue in cheek moments amongst the tonne of funk, soul, reaggae, latin, hip hop, broken beat and disco that we got through.

You can catch Chris and Paul playing one deck each at the Beatherder Festival in the Trailer Trash lounge on Sunday evening from 6.30pm - 8pm.  Paul is also playing Saturday 4.30pm - 6pm in between Fraser & Annie.