Christmas time is here, and in my failing efforts to get any sleep at my folks house, I thought I'd take some time to shout out to some spaces on the Boston radio dial I'm most thankful for year round! Here are some radio shows that have provided me extra inspiration, and if you like what Mofo Radio has to offer, perhaps they'll catch your fancy as well.
Beyond the QE2 with DJ Duo and Carlos B.
Gotta shout out my ZBC heads first. If there ever has been an INSTITUTION for underground electronic music in Boston, THIS IS IT! 12 years doing it! With past guest DJ's that read like a laundry list of people doing it under/above ground, and playlists that touch on the gems of every genre of dance music, this is your one stop for next level shit. Dudes were spinning Baltimore before it was even know as just that! Enlightenment doesn't come easy though. You'll have to catch Duo and Carlos between 1 and 6 am on Sunday (Saturday late nights). So while they may listen in with breakfast in Europe, and before going out on the west coast as Duo states in the Phoenix, you may have to listen when you come back IN in Boston. But make sure you tune in before calling it a night, it'll be well worth. Their website seems to be down but in the meantime check Duo's space and of course WZBC central for updates. Throwback flier above via Teep.
A friend of mine clued me into this ZBC show cuz of all the Acid stuff they were playing. Little did I know there was mad old school house and funky disco where that came from. Looking though the playlists we've even got some of the same favorites! Carl T. holds it down Tuesdays in the specialty slot from 5 to 7 pm. You'll also find upbeat electro and some other randomness thrown in the mix, and Carl keeps up a record review just as eclectic. Definitely something to stay on top of in addition to the weekly on air offering!
Radio Sandwiches with Nick
On to WMFO and a dude you've heard me talk about before, so I'll keep this short. Nick is one fresh DJ with a record collection anyone would die for. He schooled me with his knowledge of Bmore and ghetto tech, and manages to slice up different genres every week. Hip hop, electro, freestyle, dancehall, special guests, what more can you ask for?! So here's a big reminder to get down with Nick Tuesdays from 7 to 8 on WMFO and check the show schedule for future updates and weekly archive.
More MFO love and a show that is the premier spot for funk and soul in Boston. Spanning the genre from early 45's to disco hits, host PJ Gray's rule of thumb is keeping it "deep" and "raw." While it's almost to the point of taboo these days to cut up generic funky breaks into modern day tracks, it's deep diggers like PJ that remind us where that sound really comes from, and the power it held through the 60's and 70's outside the ears of the mainstream. The weekly program is 12 to 2pm Sunday, and podcast in addition to the terrestrial feed. The blog is also not to be slept. You'll find PJ causing a live scene at funk soul night Soullelujah, and occasionally at places like the Middlesex and Enormous Room. Lullabies Help the Brain Grow
Here's a show I luckily stumbled across while searching the dial. Rotating hosts Jess and Jonathan cart out a whole lot of wax weekly. They were on some disco shit the first time I tuned in, but it's all fair game with dub, reggae, techno, and hip hop all finding their way into the mix. Tuesdays 10 to Midnight is when you'll find these goings on, and on WMBR no less. Another golden stop and absolute must on the radio dial. Check their space and for updates and archives as well as the MBR schedule for show times.
Grown Folks Show with Uncle Khary
Not to say I've saved the best for last, but let's just say this is the most undiscovered greatness I've mentioned thus far. Residing on WRBB, where I lead my double radio life, Big Khary brings the perfect mix of local hip hop, old school, island music, and general mayhem to the studio. Sometimes he roles deep with a co-hosts BygSev, and a crew of whoever else is down to shoot the shit about what it really means to be "grown folks." Just one of the many solid long running local shows WRBB has to offer, but that's a post for another day. If you know one thing it's tune in Sundays between 3 and 5pm to get down. And more and more and more...There's got to be countless shows I've listened to on the radio I've never had time to come back too, or even caught the name of for that matter! There are even shows right now I can think of that must go without mentioning as this post is getting long. But a heartfelt thank you to all DJ's in community, public, and/or independent radio for making it happen across the dial.
A final word to say RIP to a man who inspired us all, not to mention every slab of wax I play on my own show, the godfather James Brown. You will be missed soul brother.
MoFo Radio Airs:
Wednesdays 10pm to 1am
on WZBC 90.3 fm in Newton
and
on the web at: wzbc.org.
Christmas time is here, and in my failing efforts to get any sleep at my folks house, I thought I'd take some time to shout out to some spaces on the Boston radio dial I'm most thankful for year round! Here are some radio shows that have provided me extra inspiration, and if you
