Presenter Focus: DJ Sly

Sly, having bought his first record back in 1979 has never looked back. “It was the very soulful Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway song Back Together Again that really interested me in collecting music”.

Sly always listened to stations and shows like Soul Spectrum (Capital Radio), Reggae Rockers (Radio London), Radio Invicta, Solar, Horizon and JFM. He never thought that one day radio presenting is what he would eventually end up doing and loving so much.

It was around the late eighties, that Sly started getting involved presenting on radio. “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, RnB & Reggae songs.”

Sly certainly is well seasoned in broadcasting. In 1991 he recorded a 20minute broadcast as part of Choiceathon ‘91 in the Choice FM studios. As well as broadcasting on various community based radio stations up to 1993, Sly was invited to join a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) broadcast with Hype FM in August 1994. He 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, Sly’s big break finally happened in February 1999 with South East London’s HOT STUFF FLR 107.3 FM a commercial 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. Sly stayed at Fusion Radio until April 2002. Sly also 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 ran Virgin Radio. One of the pilot Access (now Community) Radio stations Sound Radio 1503 AM launched on Friday 26th July 2002, having got the hook up Sly’s first show was on Sunday 28th July 2002. Sly remained with the station until October 2004.

Life FM was an Internet only station back in June 2005 when Sly joined them. As part of the journey in getting the 103.6 FM full time community radio licence, Sly 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. A very successful 18 months followed which culminated in being awarded The Nations & Regions Awards 2008 London Branch and being 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.

Sly continues to  broadcast on BANG Radio where he presents The Sunday Afternoon Affair each Sunday between 2pm and 4pm. The programme is made up of 75% Classic Soul, 12.5% Classic Reggae and 12.5% New Music. 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!” says Sly.

Sly has also played at Broadway Boulevard Ealing, London; Mullins Park Royal, London; Cube Bar Swiss Cottage, London; The Clinic, London W1; Ion Bar & Restaurant, London W10 and The Avenue Winebar, West Ealing.

Sly’s top six tunes of all time are:

1. Ain’T No Stoppin’ Us Now - (Gene) McFadden & (John) Whitehead
2. Groovin’ - The Young Rascals or Collage or BWB or Natural Mystic
3. Key To The World - L.J. Reynolds or Rudy Thomas
4. Love Sets You Free - Kelly Price, Arron Hall & Friends
5. Sugar Bum Bum - Lord Kitchener
6. You’Ve Made Me So Very Happy - Brenda Holloway or Mel Torme or Alton Ellis or Gloria Estefan

Sly’s top five artists of all time are:

1. Jean Carne
2. Rick James
3. Bob Marley
4. Slave
5. Luther Vandross.

Away from the music scene Sly also enjoys Skiing. “I always try and get at least one trip in every year. There’s just nothing like a great skiing holiday. Don’t knock it, if you have not tried it. I’ve skied most of Europe now and am looking forward to taking on North America soon.”

For more info on Sly visit:  djSly.co.uk | MySpace | Facebook

Tracklists

JANUARY 2010

‘THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AFFAIR’ 4pm to 6pm 3.01.10

Classics 4pm to 5pm

0. THE YOUNG RACSALS – Groovin’ [On A Sunday Afternoon] – 1967 – Atlantic – 584111
1. BLAZE feat. AMRIA – Think Of You – 2002 – Slip ‘N’ Slide Records
2. GQ – Standing Ovation – 1980 – Arista Records
3. MIKE AND BRENDA SUTTON – We’ll Make It – 1981 – SAM / Virgin Records
4. STEPHANIE MILLS – Try My Love – 1980 – 20th Century Records
5. LUTHER VANDROSS – Let’s Make Tonight The Night – 2001 – J Records

Classic Reggae Selection

6. DENNIS BROWN – Rainbow Country – 1995 – Saxon Records
7. DAVINA WRIGHT & PATRICK ROSE – You’re My Lady – 19?? – Business Records
8. DIEGO – Magic Lady – 19?? – Kensal Rise

Two Step Corner

9. TERRI WELLS – Falling Leaves – 1984 – London Records
10. LEROY HUTSON – So In Love – 1973 – Curtom Inc. Records
11. PLATINUM HOOK – It’s For You – 1979 – Motown Records

Classics + New Music 5pm to 6pm

12. SOMETHIN’ FOR THE PEOPLE – You Want This Party Started – 1995 – Warner Bros. Records
13. SOUNDSCAPE UK – Feel The Love – 2000 – Thin Air Productions
14. STEPHANIE MCKAY – Jackson Avenue – 2008 – Muthas Of Invention

New Music

15. ANGIE STONE – I Ain’t Hearin’ U – Stax Records
16. AMERIE feat. TREY SONZ – Pretty Brown – Def Jam Recordings
17. DRIIS – Private Garden – Hevlar Recordings
18. SADE – Soldier Of Love – Epic Records / RCA
19. MARY J BLIGE – I Am – Interscope Records

Artist Profile

20. MAZE feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY – Joy And Pain – 1980 – Capitol Records
21. MAZE feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY – Lady Of Magic – 1977 – Capitol Records
22. MAZE feat. FRANKIE BEVERLY – Somebody Else’s Arms – 1989 – Warner Bros. Records

23. PATTI LABELLE – It’s Alight With Me – 1979 – Epic Records