Interviews

Season 4

lovers rock

Oscillation were live with 60 minutes of Lovers Rock sounds. Sunshine filled tracks inside from the likes of Deborahe Glasgow, Vivian Jones, Sandra Cross, Kieth Douglas and Peter Hunnigale.

Oscillation: Lovers Rock Special - August 2021

First episode of 2022 featuring the wonderful DJ/curator, Sam Don. Those of you might be familiar with Sam Don who is responsible for producing the great Lovers Rock/Soul compilation series — For The Love Of You (Athens Of the North). Sam Don and Aswad discuss the inspiration for the project and how it came to fruition. They also discuss the importance and significance of reggae music, and the influences of soul music into Lovers Rock. To wrap up the show, Aswad provides a tribute mix to give Sam Don and the Lovers Rock genre the send off they deserve.

Tracklist

S4 EP1 - Sam Don

Notoya is the brains behind Tokyo Condition, a record label and online web shop operating from within Tokyo. In the last few years, Notoya has reissued private press records and focuses on lesser known artists from the past and modern day. He recently collaborated with french label We Want Sounds, to create a compilation highlighting artists from record label Nippon Columbia, the wonderful project - Tokyo Glow. On the show we welcome back Ryan Erik Williams, who joins Aswad in conversation with Notoya to discuss the inspirations of Tokyo Condition and the current impact of City Pop within modern day. They also highlight some of the releases from Tokyo Condition and discuss the partnership with HMV Japan.

S4 EP9 - DJ Notoya (Tokyo Condition)

This month on Studio Funk we welcome curator, DJ, the man of leisure — Miche. Over the past years Miche has been contributing heavily to the funk and soul scene in the U.K. From being a leading music programmer of London’s number 1 listening bar Spiritland, through to working and collaborating with various artists, musicians and DJs he is now entering his next chapter — releasing his new compilation on world renown record label, Mr Bongo; With Love Vol.1. Here on Studio Funk we get an exclusive preview and insight behind the highly anticipated project.

S4 EP10 - Miche

Breaking the record for having the longest running time of recording an interview — 3.5 hours! Two of Aswad's favourite people, Hair Kid and Q.I who are behind the amazing modern funk duo from Japan — Milk Talk. Their first ever interview which goes over and beyond! Over the last few years, Milk Talk have been consistently releasing incredible modern funk, synth / city pop music. On the show they go to great lengths to discuss about their chemistry and collaboration. We go behind the scenes to discuss how their records are put together, and talk about their recent tour in Tokyo. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, as there is plenty more uncovered. And knowing how much we recorded, let’s just say this is part 1 of their feature 😊

S4 EP11 - Milk Talk

Milk Talk and Aswad have discussions about sampling and how Japanese City Pop within the 80s may have been inspired by western music around that time. On the show they go through several rounds of trying to guess which music tracks influenced some of the great City Pop tracks from the 80s (which might be kind way of saying that 😅)

How good is your music knowledge? Can you guess all of the samples?

S4 EP12 - Guess The Sample ft. Milk Talk // City Pop Edition

Last show of the year and it’s a special one. Aswad sits down and catches up with Earl McKenzie and Clive Gardiner about their latest release on CQQL Records — Timestamp. The definitive edition and collection of their cherished and beloved music recorded from the early 80s. Remastered and reissued with love is how we describe it. As tradition dictates, the last show is a recap highlighting music of the year. Expect a good dose of new releases alongside favourites from the year.

S4 EP13 - Timestamp ft. McKenzie & Gardiner

Some sweet tunes for the lovers and lovers rock lovers

Playlist: https://finn-johannsen.de/2024/11/04/at-the-top-of-the-stairs-0018-you-lovers-rock/

0018 - You Lovers Rock

In 1948 The Ship HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK and bought 492 Caribbean migrants, many of them veterans of the Second world war. As part of the common wealth they were given, British Citizenship and had come to the UK with the promise of work and a fresh start in the country .These people would go on to be known as the start of The Windrush Generation. They brought with them the sounds of The Caribbean and settled in communities in Cities like Bristol and London. Lovers Rock emerged in the 1970s from the children of these migrants. There was a disconnect with the classic sounds of Rocksteady and the more spiritual sides of Roots Reggae which their parents listened to. This led to a  craving for a different kind of music. One they could relate too and play at parties with different themes these young teens could relate too. 

Dennis Harris saw this gap in the market and after noticing the success of a track called Caught you in a lie by Louisa Harris and produced by Dennis Bovell. This track stood out to him; its themes of love and romance and a soulful feel to the track differed from the more spiritual reggae that was coming out of Jamaica at that time. 
Dennis decided to open up a new label and recording studio inviting Dennis Bovell to be the studio's producer and engineer. He also recruited John Kpiaye, a guitarist with a background in reggae and rock music and described his vision to them.  Dennis would name this label after a track by Augustus Pablo called “Lovers Rock”. He wanted the sound to be driven by young female vocalists and in 1977 they released “I'm in love with a Dreadlocks” by teenage trio Brown Sugar which would go on to be No1 in the UK reggae charts. One member of Brown Sugar, Carron Wheeler would go on to be a part of the Hip Hop group Soul to Soul 
A decade later. The success of Brown Sugar would inspire labels and artists throughout the UK to create and be a part of this new sound. In 1979 Lovers Rock would go on to release their biggest track yet Silly Games by Janet Kay which would go up to Number 2 in the British pop charts and see success across Europe. It was clear the impact this music was having and many artists began to move from Jamaica over to the UK to pursue music in this new market. One of these artists was the legendary Dennis Brown who moved to the UK in 1978 and established his label DEB Records. Other artists who moved to the UK include Gregory Issacs, Sugar MInnot, Freddie Mcgregor who would all go on to see success in the UK music scene. By the 1980s the lovers rock scene was thriving with artists seeing success globally but by the 90s it began to lose popularity with the rise of Jungle and Garage in the UK taking over. The impact of this music lives on and you can still hear these classic songs being played on dancefloors across the world from Kingston to Tokyo. It stands as a symbol of the power of music and community and a reminder of the huge contribution The Windrush generation has had on the UK.

Lovers Rock

Saige Sounds was in the booth for a lovers special hour. Uplifting selection guaranteed to put a smile on your face with tracks from the likes of Johnny Clarke, Anthony Rich, Richie Davis and more. Highly recommended !


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Saige Sounds: Lovers Special - February 2024

Released from the vault! Mr Big Happy shares the time he connected and linked up with some of the members of 'Sparkle City Band' to work on a collaborative project to reissue their ultra rare 45 'Day By Day'. Alongside that we discuss the origins of his DJ crew - 'Parish Council' and how they form together like Voltron!

Mr Big Happy - Bonus Episode (previously unreleased)

Another piece of footage released from the vault! Some more insight into the wonderful career of Isy Martin. The Budweiser Showdown competition, additional songs he wrote, reflecting on life and sharing wisdom - all to share!

Isy Martin - Bonus Episode (previously unreleased)

Carl Moore, is what we call a true definition of a working musician. A person who’s continuing to have an expansive career spanning over 4 decades. From the late 70s being part of funk group ‘Split Decision Band’ through to the early 80s and working in Japan. Aswad and Carl discuss the makings of his elusive limited EP ‘Chance’ released in 1984, and celebrating the music 40 years later as see the reissue of ‘Carter Lake’ and It ‘Must Be The Beat’ via Sam Don's new record label adventure — Sweet Free Association.

Carl Moore

A special collaboration between Studio Funk and Prime Time Records & Tapes, an episode featuring multi talented musician, songwriter and performer from Rochester New York, who is also one of the founding members of the Jazz Funk collective, Cabo Frio — Curtis Kendrick! 

Curtis and Aswad discuss the beginnings of Cabo Frio during the late 70s and the groups progression throughout the 80s. The numerous albums, collaborations and opportunities along the way. Together they also discuss about the elusive 1982 side project album — 3rd Degree. An album which is referred to as a holy grail amongst many collectors. The rare album which was only released on cassette is now currently being worked on for a full remaster from the original session tapes by Prime Time Records — who also recently released the single ‘Heartbeat’ from the forthcoming album.

Curtis L. Kendrick

A man who probably needs no introduction as he’s been consistently delivering great music for the past 10 years plus. Musician, producer, songwriter are a few labels attached to his calibre and status. He is also one of the leading voices and sounds within the Modern Funk scene whilst also at the helm of the beloved Mofunk records , Pasadena’s finest — XL Middleton

Together we discuss the early days of his G-Funk era through to modern day of his highly anticipated sequel album, Tap Water II. We also get into the detail about his collaborations with Zackey Force Funk and their most recent album, Blue Blade Piranha. Plus we go behind the scenes on some of the great remixes he’s done over the years, including the latest with Japanese City Pop artist, Hannah Warm …plus a whole lot more!

XL Middleton

REGGAE CHILL PILL - UK LOVERS ROCK

Studio Funk - podcast show created and hosted by Aswad. Showcasing his discoveries, music collection, and interviews the leading names in modern funk and soul.