Fierce Angel

Interview With Fierce Angel

1. What’s your favourite Jazz FM programme and why?

Well, obviously I’m a touch biased but can I say my own show?! Fierce Angel is four hours of the finest and fiercest music from our dance floors worldwide and it’s presented by a very talented DJ (ahem...). I’ve a couple of other favourites as well - Paul “Radical” Ruiz’s show on Friday is just fantastic jazzy house perfection and PY’s show is still one of my all-time faves for his spectacular knowledge of funk .

2. What’s the first record you bought and where did you buy it from?

Actually my mum bought it for me from Woolworths and it was 'The Banner Man'. I think I was about 4 years old. Apparently even at that age I had demanded my own record player and used to play all their 7-inch records on my own portable turntable.

When I got into buying records properly my first 12” was Cameo’s 'Word Up' closely followed by an import copy of The Dramatics album 'Somewhere in Time' (which I heard Tony Blackburn play on Radio London).

3. What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod/in your collection?

Hmmm... There are many, although Bucks Fizz’s 'Land Of Make Believe' possibly wins the prize. Closely followed by a host of ‘80s soft rock including REO Speedwagon, John Parr and Heart!

4. In your opinion, what’s the greatest album of all time and why?

Greatest album would have to be a compilation called ‘Back To Love’ from a little record label called Hed Kandi. It was one of our first albums on the Hed Kandi label back in the day when Jazz FM owned the brand and it featured the definitive collection of classic house and rare groove tracks from the late ‘80s. These days mint condition copies are sold on Ebay for upwards of £100!

5. What’s the best gig you've ever been to?

It would have to be Burt Bacharach at the Hammersmith Apollo (which has since been renamed about five times). It was a Jazz FM event and was just pure genius. It was an extremely wonderful night featuring every hit record he’d ever written with some very special guests.

6. What’s your favourite live music venue and why?

Probably the Shepherds Bush Empire for its classic decor and intimacy. Brixton Academy is also great but I still think you can’t beat Wembley for a really big summer concert!

7. Jazz Is...

Quite possibly the coolest music in the world that has influenced many other styles of music and still continues to innovate and surprise!

8. In your opinion, who’s the most inspirational radio presenter of all time and why?

It’s a three-horse race for me. Tony Blackburn and Robbie Vincent for their Radio London shows which got me into soul and jazz/funk. And Peter Young for his exquisite taste in music.

9. What’s been your most embarrassing moment in radio?

There have been many... Quite possibly having my mum phone in on air in the early days of my Hed Kandi show on Jazz FM!

10. What’s your favourite film and why?

It’s a little-known film by Walter Hill called ‘Streets Of Fire’. Way ahead of its time when it was released in the 80’s. It was billed as a Rock N Roll Fairytale and had a storming soundtrack by Jim Steinman. I think you can get it on DVD now - check it out!

11. Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

Well, I’d have to say there is nothing better than dinner with good friends regardless of the number of celebrities, musicians and historical figures you could possibly invite so I’d have to say my Wife, our good friends Peyton, Katherine Ellis and Soraya Vivian and as many other people as I could fit in a room!