My shows on
AfterDarkRadio are typically classic Atmospheric Drum & Bass & Jungle based, but can be known to stray into other territories if I'm feeling in the mood. I prefer to focus my shows on specific things like artist back-catalogues, classic labels or releases from particular years in the scene. The music featured on my shows is mostly on vinyl, plus a few digital releases, all accompanied with track IDs and general waffle that pops into my head while I'm in the "mix zone".
My journey into underground dance music started in the early nineties as I wandered down the FM dial after becoming disenchanted with the contents of the UK Top 40. I found local Essex Pirate Radio Stations like Sweet FM, Cyndicut & Dream FM, playing a whole new sound I'd never heard before, a million miles from the pop music being churned out for the masses. I didn't know what any of the tracks were called or who they were by, but was determined to find out.
I was lucky to have a particularly good independent music shop nearby, Adrians Records in Wickford, Essex, who stocked a nice selection of dance music & after much listening in store, I was able to pick up The Prodigy Experience, The Definition of Hardcore on Reinforced, Drum & Bass Selection 1 on Breakdown Records, Renegade Selector Series 1 & also The Joint, a compilation featuring tracks from both Suburban Base & Moving Shadow.
Not content with just a few cassettes & CDs, I next ventured to nearby Basildon & plucked up courage to go into a proper Dance Music Shop, Soundzone Records. This really introduced me to the full picture of what was going on and led to the inevitable purchase of a Record Bag, various Rave Tape Packs, an MA2 Flight Jacket, as well as making me realise that it was now imperative I saved up all the money I could from my paper round and buy some decks of my own.
Ever since those early days I've never really stopped buying records, regularly visiting places like Blackmarket, Unity & Mash in Soho, Boogie Times in Romford, Basement & Vinyl Rhythm in Southend, as well as the inevitable addiction to Discogs & Bandcamp in more recent years.
