The Beat Collector's Page

We’ve overtaken the 20,000 hits mark, which is quite something as we only hit 10,000 in April. I’ve just realised it also coincides with the 50th post…blimey guvnah! The quality of the Guest List and the Q&A’s have really boosted the traffic so a huge thanks to everyone involved.  And if it’s getting new people to check out [...]

It’s a new week and the sun’s out funky people! We’re very lucky to be following The Soul Chef’s Q&A with another of my favourite bloggers DJ Blueprint from  This Is Tomorrow . A fine musician in his own right and an endless font of funky tunes. He’s switched me on to a shedload of tracks [...]

Hey, hey! France’s very own mod-jerk-pop loving sunshine superman Felps from Penelope is doing the Q&A over at Here Comes The Nice right now and I must say, along with Number 9’s…it’s one of my favourites, so check it out if you can! Meanwhile, you lucky people! The Soul Chef has been busy cooking up some funky delights for [...]

1. How would you best describe what you do to the uninitiated? I fancy myself as an armchair DJ, if there really is such a term.  Basically I have been making mixtapes since 1983, first for family and friends, and now for the world thanks to the success of Fufu Stew. I can and have played [...]

Heads up funky people! Vincent the Soul Chef will be making a visit from the mighty Fufu Stew on Thursday with a fantastic guest mix and a Q&A! I know…you’re spoilt, but what the funk! Next up for the Q&A is Dionne from the seriously funky Baby Charles. Their debut album is sensational and the live experience really is out [...]

Afro Strut - The Nite-Liters Beaten Metal - Antibalas Breakin’ Bread - The J.B’s Brother, Brother - Esther Phillips Chicken Lickin - Funk Inc Dedicated - Diggable Planets En Focus - Quantic Feat. Trinidad Find Yourself - Sir Joe Quarterman & Free Soul Give The Women What They Want - The Isley Brothers If You Want Me To Stay - Sly & The Family [...]

Handsome Homeless from Watts, LA have some serious funk going on. Their dedication to ‘the funk’ should you need it can be found on their myspace player (check out ‘Shake It Like It Owes You Money’, it’s a belter). I really dig ‘em but know nothing about them so this is another education for me. Funktastic! 1. [...]

Right, well I’m happy now. After much nagging and nudging I’ve managed to get Andy Lewis to stop working just for a minute. This is a real thrill for me as his 2 solo albums ‘Billion Pound Project’ and ‘You Should Be Hearing Something Now’ on Acid Jazz records are a mainstay of my collection and the closest thing in my opinion, [...]

Ive been lucky enough to be invited to make another guest selection (always a pleasure I might add). This time my travels have taken me to the funktastic world of Parkdale Funk.  Get on over there, have your funky fill and subscribe to the podcast!  Ooh Yea - Betty Davis Sidra’s Theme - Ronnie & Robin Comin’ From A Higher Place - Baby [...]

First things first… The G-Spot at The Pigalle is the place to be tonight (yet again) with Trio Valore, Funk’n’stein, Corrina Greyson and a whole host of others that you really don’t want to miss… so get down there and get your funk on!  We’ve broken out the big guns for you this time around on the Q&A. I don’t even know [...]

On with the Q&A series and what better way than with DJ Prestige, on a visit from the mighty Fleamarket Funk. It’s a bit of a coup for me personally that he’s agreed to do this as he’s another great blogging inspiration, Fleamarket Funk is choc-full of educational snippets, suprises and funky mixes and well worth a visit (but you must [...]

Your Key Don’t Fit It No More - Marie Queenie Lyons Not Available - Shuggie Otis What’ll I Do For Satisfaction - Johnny Daye The Cat - Calvin Owens Show Sock Some Love Power To Me - Lee Rodgers Run Tank Run - Booker T & The MG’s Crumbs Off The Table - Laura Lee Invitation - A Band Of Angels Beedo - [...]

Who are Fred Leslie’s Missing Link? This is like the beginning of an episode of soap so try and keep up! Craig very kindly put me in the picture - ”The “Leslie” in “Fred Leslie’s Missing Link” is because of Leslie Overdrive. It’s me and my drummer (from Leslie Overdrive), Dave Wilkinson from Phat Fred and Paolo Negri from [...]

If you get the chance tonight check out Futurebeat Radio. On the Fajita Funk show between 8 & 10 there will be a guest mix from The Beat Collector (which I will also post a download link to here at a later date). This time around with the Q&A it’s the turn of Trio Valore. For those of you that [...]

On with the guest list and fittingly (as he gave me the idea in the first place) it’s the turn of my main man from the inimitable Planet Mondo with a ‘World Wide Funk’ extravaganza. Having blown the roof off with his mixes for  Fufu Stew and The Hook & Sling, I’m chuffed he could spare us the time to whip [...]

The crazy world of Planet Mondo will be dropping by with a monster mix on here for you Friday so keep ‘em peeled you lucky people. Now with the questions it’s the turn of the delightful Prema (click on her name to visit her website when you are done reading). It’s hard to find the words that even begin to do her voice justice [...]

Another sprinkling of gold dust for The Right Side Of Funky and another education for me. A funky bucket full of thanks to Boaz Murad cos I haven’t stopped playing this since it landed!  ‘I am proud to present Soulico’s new mixtape titled Archeology It’s an hour full of Hasidic Disco, Spiritual Soul, Yemenite Funk, Turkish Acid Rock, [...]

Groovy Uncle is currently answering the questions over at Here Comes The Nice whilst now on here it’s the turn of the aptly named The Fantastics. Formerly known as Rev. Cleatus And The Soul Saviours, the band is the sum of the following parts -  James Rule (drums), Ray Hunter (bass), Greg Boraman (Hammond), Mark Norton (flute / sax), Matt Wilding (percussion / congas) [...]

The master himself has stepped up with some answers and an awesome mix. An inspiration to all bloggers and funky soul lovers alike, the Funky16Corners site is a must visit. I genuinely learn something everytime I drop by. He also runs an equally excellent blog at Iron Leg so click on over and check it out when [...]

Dyna-Might - Borracho (Uni) James Barnes & the Agents - Good & Funky (Golden Hit) Marva Whitney - Things Got To Get Better (Get Together) (King) Pretty Purdie - Funky Donkey (Date) Fatback Band - Goin’ To See My Baby (Perception) Otis Redding & Carla Thomas - Tramp (Stax) Little Milton - More and More (Checker) Chuck Cornish - Blue Eyed Brother [...]