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Sly’s Guest Book

Hey Sly!! Love the website, love the show, love all your efforts and your skills… keep spreading the love! To one of Life Fm’s BEST DJs, keep up the A M A Z I N G work!
Gabriella, UK

Sly’s Radio Biography

How It Started

I grew up listening to stations and shows like Soul Spectrum (Capital Radio), Reggae Rockers (Radio London), Radio Invicta, Solar, Horizon and JFM

I bought my first record for £1.99 it was ‘Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway – Back Together Again – 1979 – Atlantic – 12″ Single’

It was around 1987/8 that I started getting involved presenting on radio.

First Radio Station

Pioneer Radio was my first station. I had a Sunday 12noon to 2pm programme called the ‘The Sunday Lunchtime Connection’. It was made up of a mixture of original Rare Grooves, Lovers Rock and new Soul, R&B and Reggae songs.

Radio And Broadcast History

In 1991 I recorded a 20minute broadcast as part of Choiceathon ’91 in the Choice (96.9) FM studios.

I have played music on various community based radio stations up to 1993. I was invited to join a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) broadcast with Hype FM in August 1994. I went on to do ten more RSL’s with People’s Choice, Avenues FM, West 10 FM and Rockers FM over the next four years.

After around twelve years presenting my BIG break finally happened in February 1999 with South East London’s HOT STUFF FLR 107.3 FM legal radio station serving the communities of Lewisham, Southwark and Greenwich.

On Monday 4th December 2000 FLR 107.3 FM changed its name to Fusion Radio 107.3 FM. I stayed at Fusion Radio until April 2002. I presented a show on Liquid (London) DAB between September 2002 and January 2004. This digital station was part of the Scottish Media Group (SMG) which also runs Virgin Radio.

Sound Radio 1503 AM launched on Friday 26th July 2002 my first show was on Sunday 28th July 2002. I remained with the station until October 2004.

Life FM was an internet only station back in June 2005 when I joined them. As part of the journey in getting the 103.6 FM full time community radio licence, I also presented on two RSL’s at the station. On16/02/06 Ofcom announced the award of a new FM community radio licence for Life FM.

Life 103.6 FM began broadcasting on 16th April 2007 after a very successful 18 months which cumulated in being awarded The Nations & Regions Awards 2008 London Branch and nominated for the Sony Radio Academy Awards Station of The Year.

On Monday 8th December 2008 Life 103.6 FM changed its name to BANG Radio 103.6 FM.

From January 2010 BANG Radio 103.6 FM formally became known as BANG 103.6 FM.

BANG 103.6 FM / www.bangradio.fm awarded ‘Station Of The Year 2010’ at the annual BEFFTA Awards.

Current Radio Station

I am currently broadcasting on BANG 103.6 FM www.bangradio.fm where I present ‘The Sunday Afternoon Affair’ every Sunday between 3pm and 6pm. The programme is made up of approximately 75% Classic Soul, 12.5% Classic Reggae and 12.5% New Music. [It’s just FAB.]! ‘The Sunday Afternoon Affair’ is just right for your Sunday afternoon relaxation and pleasure. Hey, but don’t take my word for it…try it and you’ll see!

Current Music Residencies & Venues

I’m currently at The Avenue Wine Bar, West Ealing, London W13 8JR, every third Friday of the month for ‘Remember The Groove’ from 9pm. Music Policy: Classics from ’70’s, ’80’s ’90’s & ’00’s.

Previous Music Residencies & Venues

I have played at Broadway Boulevard Ealing, London; Mullins, Park Royal, London; Cube Bar, Swiss Cottage, London; The Clinic, London W1; Ion Bar & Restaurant, London W10; The Avenue Wine Bar, West Ealing, London and Tenpin Acton, Park Royal, London.

Favourite Top Six Tunes

  • AIN’T NO STOPPIN’ US NOW – (Gene) McFadden & (John) Whitehead
  • GROOVIN’ – The Young Rascals or Collage or BWB or Natural Mystic
  • KEY TO THE WORLD – L.J. Reynolds or Rudy Thomas
  • LOVE SETS YOU FREE – Kelly Price, Arron Hall & Friends
  • SUGAR BUM BUM – Lord Kitchener
  • YOU’VE MADE ME SO VERY HAPPY – Brenda Holloway or Mel Torme or Alton Ellis or Gloria Estefan

Favourite Top Five Artists/Groups/Bands

  • Jean Carne
  • Rick James
  • Bob Marley
  • Slave
  • Luther Vandross

Career History

Previous Radio Stations:

  • Sound Radio 1503 AM (July 2002 to October 2004)
  • Liquid London DAB (September 2002 to January 2004) part of SMG who also own Virgin Radio
  • Fusion Radio 107.3 FM formerly FLR (February 1999 to April 2002)
  • BANG 103.6 FM formerly Life 103.6 FM & BANG Radio 103.6 FM (June 2005 to the present day)

Previous RSL Radio Stations:

  • Avenues 87.7 FM (February to March 2007)
  • Avenues 87.7 FM (October to November 1998)
  • Avenues 87.7 FM & 107.2 FM (February to March 1998)
  • Rockers 87.7 FM (December 1997 to January 1998)
  • W10 87.7 FM (August to September 1997)
  • Avenues 107.5 FM (July to August 1997)
  • Rockers 104.9 FM (May to June 1997)
  • People’s Choice 104.9 FM (December 1996 to January 1997)
  • Avenues 104.9 FM (June to July 1996)
  • Hype 107.0 FM (August 1995)
  • People’s Choice 107.4 FM (May to June 1995)
  • Hype 87.7 FM (August 1994)

Previous Local Community Radio Stations:

  • Irie FM
  • Sky Radio (Skyline)
  • Peace FM
  • Medina Radio
  • Fresh FM
  • The Big Apple
  • Pioneer Radio

Voice-overs and jingles for you

We are now producing professionally made voice-overs and jingles for your business, event or party. We can also help on script writing and music selection, if required. These are supplied at very competitive prices for example please contact me via this link Contact me

Join Sly In Conversation With Rick Clarke

Rick Clarke, known as the UK godfather of soul, was involved in music from an early age. He first started his successful career as a DJ in the very popular street sound system called Sugar N Spice. He graduated from Djing to writing and creating songs for up and coming artists.

Rick joined various bands in the early years, but had more success when he became a solo artist in the 80s. In 1986, he finally took the plunge to become a solo R&B singer, releasing his debut single, Love With A Stranger, which became an overnight success. Rick, subsequently released the smash hit single, I Really Want To Be With You, which created great interest from the major record companies.

He was quickly snapped up by RCA Records and released the double A single, I’ve Been Looking / Perfect Lady. He began touring around the UK and later further afield, spreading the ‘Rick Clarke’ sound and building a massive fanbase.

After parting from RCA Records, Rick formed his first record label, WA Records, and released the club smash hit, See You Along The Way, which became one of the hottest club anthem’s in late 1989.

In 1996, Rick, known as the man of soul, with lyrics for the romantics and the voice for the ladies, released his new album, Turn The Lights Down Low, on his new label, MJB Records.

By 1999, due to requests from his devoted fans, Rick, released the ultimate love album, Love Classics, a compilation of all his love songs. He continued performing in many cities across the UK, serenading his fans with soulful voice.

More recently, in 2010, Rick returned to the studio with producer Don E to create a new version of the Isley Brother’s classic track, For The Love Of You. The track is currently been played across the airwaves in the UK with rave reviews!

Rick continues to entertain his fans with his velvet voice and great musical ability.

Rick Clarke – Sly Promo for 23 May 2010

Join Sly In Conversation With Jeff Ramsey

Jeff Ramsey is a graduate from the Berklee College of Music. Jeff has toured and recorded the world over for such artists as Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Patrice Rushen, Maxwell, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, and Barbara Streisand, just to name a few. He’s done commercials in radio and television for Burger King, Levi 501, Dryel, Mountain Dew, and Michelob.

Jeff has done solo work for many different projects including famed Tower of Power bassist, Rocco Prestia’s CD entitled ‘Everybody On The Bus’, and James Day’s EP “Remember When” and CD ‘Better Days’ with the latter two garnering the UK hit ‘Don’t Waste The Pretty’.

Recently, Jeff lent his voice to James Day’s 2nd CD project , ‘Natural Things’ , released 11th May, 2009. Check out www.myspace.com/jamesdaysongs for more info. You can also hear Jeff’s vocals on a project released earlier this year on Plastic City entitled DKMA Presents Andrastea – The Ascent as well as a compilation CD released by Plastic City entitled Deep Train 6- Dedication. Visit www.myspace.com/plasticcity for more info.

Jeff is also an educator and shares his experiences on the road and in the studio with students at his alma mater, Berklee College where he is an Assistant Professor in the Voice Department. He continues to sing doing session dates and performing around the New England area and just completed work on his solo debut CD titled ‘My Best’ released autumn 2009. For more info, continue to check his website at www.jefframseymusic.com or his myspace page at www.myspace.com/jeframproductions.

Jeff Ramsey will be in conversation with Sly on The Sunday Afternoon Affair Sunday 28th February 2010


JEFF RAMSEY-SLY PROMO FOR 28-FEB-10.mp3