Radio still acts as a major contributor to my discovery of new music. With the advent of so much online choice I now mostly listen to podcasts or archived shows via the internet as it’s rare I’m organized enough, available or awake to listen to ‘live’ radio especially being in Spain.
There follows a small selection of my regular radio dabbling that hopefully might also tickle your fancy:
Rob da Bank
An obvious choice but easily missed with it’s late night slots however always worth a listen as anyone who manages to fill the boots of the late great John Peel must be worth his weight in salt.. From his Sunday Best beginnings he’s always remained true to his taste which is wide and long and not just 4 to the floor or subject to press frenzied emperors new shoes. He’s a very nice, down to earth chap to boot.
Listen to Rob Da Bank show here Tracklists also available for all shows.
Pedro’s Broadcast Basement
One of, if not my favourite DJ in the world is Laurent Garnier and a little known fact is he has his own excellent 24/7 online radio playlist called Pedro’s Broadcast Basement where the music policy is: “All types of music are played except perhaps for the mainstream drivel that can be heard on most FM radios today.” Good enough for me LG.. The link below niftily opens your preferred media player (I use iTunes) and plays tacks with titles displayed in the player, marvelous.
To connect to PPB radio click here
The Joy of Music
An alternative weekly show in the wee hours called The Joy of Music recently moved from BBC London to BBC Kent and hosted by the unbelievably knowledgeable Sean Rowley. A show full of folk, rock, electronic and beyond, slower paced and thoughtful from a man who lives, breathes and smokes all things music. I’m a big fan and love his relaxed and honest totally unpretentious (see Guilty Pleasures) radio patter (much like da bank come to think of it). Literally a joy of music and always includes some gems I’ve never heard of.
You can listen to his show here
Solid Steel
Solid Steel began broadcasting via Kiss FM way back in 1988! The ‘cut up beats’ show was created by Coldcut and has somehow managed to survive through the years being synonymous with a DJ mix series as well as some amazing shows from the likes of Steinski, DJ Food and DJ Shadow among many others.
You can find Solid Steel here via the Ninja Tune website.
Beats in Space
A recently recommended addition to my weekly earload and a golden find. Tim Sweeney is the main responsible and has managed to create his own little cosy corner in an unforgiving, disposable world of electronic music executed with love and panache and some heavy weight guest shows.
Click here to check out the Beats in Space website full of DJ podcasts, tracklists from the leftfield’s finest.
Other Recommendations
Samurai FM
A very cool Japan/London based Online radio station which hosts loads of fantastic electronic music and looks very much like it’s here to stay. Click here for Samurai FM
New Funk Radio
It has got to be funky! (at least on Fridays) and this station plays a good mix of sometimes commercial but tasteful funk esque music, click here for New Funk Radio
Danny Baker
Not really where I discover too much music (although I did discover Vashti Bunyan through Baker) and I often have to ignore some of the C&W selections, but the ex NME writer has a massive pre-eighties musical knowledge (a master of prog rock..) His spoken radio however is genius and ear candy to me. I’ve been an avid listener from the breakfast show days which has moved to weekday afternoons between 3-5pm. Once your keyed in with the treehouse humor it’s a must listen show. For all things Candyman click here
Global SoulJah
James Barrie’s is also Barcelona based, works with BBE Records and his podcasts definitely deserve a doff of the cap delivering modern dope beats with a global flavour. See globalsouljah.com website for more details.
Gilles Peterson
I always do my utmost to make time for Gilles Peterson Worldwide show even if sometimes it gets a little bit ‘muso’ noodley. Listen here
There are of course many many more amazing shows out there and I will put together another list in the future but I would also LOVE any recommendations..
After finally setting up a music corner in my newish abode I’ve managed to cobble together this years first installment of Bill Shakes DJ mixes from yours truly. ‘Swish You are Here’ is a short selection electronic house ish tracks (1hr 7mins) that I’ve been playing over the past few months,. Genre wise – I’m not sure how to classify it really, some deep house, some proggy? With the mish-mash of genre names banded around these days who knows, call it what you will, I shan’t take offense. 
