Scratching around for new music

Our resident reggae (and badger) obsessive Rich went to see the legendary force-of-super-nature that is Lee Scratch Perry last night. 

Unless there is an obvious 'theme' to Rich's shows - like last week's 'Ladies Night' - then the playlist tends to be whatever has surfaced on Rich's reggae-radar that week. It is fair to assume, therefore, that this week's show (time/day TBC) will feature a healthy dollop of Priceless Perry or Scintillating Scratch. [OK, that's enough alliteration. Ed]

Scratch duly delivered his trademark brand of shambolic genius and sent the Devonian reggae fans home happy but our intrepid DJ was not as happy as he had hoped he'd be. Having tucked an LP-sized bag into his pocket in anticipation, he was less than impressed to find Exeter Phoenix a vinyl-free-zone yesterday. 

All was not lost however; superb support act Laid Blak had some CD's on sale and Rich left with a copy of their Red & Blak album in his pocket. So, sharing the Lee-Perry-Love on Rich's Reggae (and Stuff) this week will be a tune from said CD. Laid Blak's live set is described as being "centred in urban reggae but touches on jazz, funk, soul and hip-hop." You'd be hard-pushed to find a better definition of Rich's idea of Fusion than that! Check out Laid Blak - you won't be disappointed.

The Radio Under The Pillow

If you know a music lover of  "a certain age", mention words like 'Radio Caroline' or 'Radio Luxembourg' and watch them sigh and go all misty-eyed.

Be prepared to hear them reminisce about laying in bed at night with a transistor radio hidden under the pillow so their parents wouldn't hear them listening while they should be sleeping.

It sounds corny, but it's true.  I fell asleep with the radio on under my pillow so many nights I probably spent more pocket-money on batteries than anything else.

But let's be honest here.  It was cheesy.  It was brash.  It was full of adverts.  It contained so much I now dislike in radio.  And that's if you were lucky enough to get an uninterrupted signal on the old Medium Wave band.

But now with the advent of modern technology, we have more radio stations to chose from than you can shake a stick at.

Whatever your taste in music, it's out there - and it's more than catered for.  There are stations broadcasting every conceivable music genre 24 hours a day in crystal clear digital sound.  This is often supported by DJ's whose specialist knowledge would undoubtedly earn them a place in the final of Mastermind.

Never before have we been so spoiled for choice.

And never before have I longed so much to enjoy again the simplicity, the excitement and the pure joy of the old radio stations.

Excuse me while I sigh and go all misty-eyed.  (Mick).

Sunday Night is Ladies' Night...

Rich's Reggae (and Stuff) this week is all about celebrating the Women of Reggae. Reggae is often seen as a male-oriented, male-dominated music genre; a bit like Heavy Metal, except the music isn't shit*. Rich is going to attempt to dispel that view this week with an hour of the sweetest reggae sung by the fairer sex. The only male voice you'll here is Rich's... and he's promised to keep his blather to a minimum and let the music do the talking. 

8pm UK time on Sunday evening, expect wonderful stuff like this... **

* I have been asked to point out that not everyone at Fusion thinks Heavy Metal is shit.
** But not those particular three - that would be giving away the playlist!

Launch Party At Fusion

Sunday February 3rd is the start of something new, something different. It's our answer to mainstream radio: Fusion On Air!  At 7 PM (UK Time) we start with Mick with some great 60's, Soul and Mod music.  At 8pm Rich is behind the wheels with an hour of sublime Reggae and Ska., the real stuff:  no Reggaeton or Dupstep.  The last show of our launch night is a surprise. Even to us! We do know it's gonna be loud and noisy at 9 PM.  Next week more new shows coming up. Follow us on twitter @FusionOnAir or check our blog for updates.

All shows are live and the DJ's will be in the chatbox during the show. In that chatbox you share your comments with the DJ and other listeners. Don't hesitate to ask questions or give us a shout-out! The chatbox aka shoutbox http://mixlr.com/fusion-on-air

Band Of The Month

We  would like to introduce you to our Band Of The Month. Every month the DJ’s of Fusion choose a new or unsigned band or artist and give them airplay and a special at our blog. Our first Band of the Month February is BOMBSKARE. It’s a 9-man ska band from Scotland. Their trademark is (in their own words) breakneck ska rhythms and lush, threepart harmonies together with choppy guitar sounds and an explosive horn section that truly blow the audience away. Who's ever seen this band knows what that mean. Party time! In 2011 Irie Up Magazine wrote: 'Imagine The Beat (that's the English Beat for US readers) with a Scottish accent and you begin to get some idea of just how good this band is.” It looks like 2013 is going to be a great year for Bombskare. They are invited to play the London International Ska Festival in March and they just released a new single this week. ‘Do All Dogs Go To Heaven?’ is the first track released from their forthcoming album ‘The Day The Earth Stood Stupid’. The new single will be played at our Launch Party this sunday and is available as a free download on their website http://www.bombskare.com. When they are in your town, check them out! You won’t be disappointed.

 

Bombskare 'Do All Dogs Go To Heaven?'

 

 

Bombskare 'Fistfull of Dynamite'

 

 

Skanking With Bombskare Live

Fusion Coming Soon

You might have heard the rumours...there will be a brand new radiostation in town! Fusion is an independent station and musical platform for DJ's. bands and listeners. People who are sick and tired of mainstream radio. Fusion is all about good music. Especially genres hardly heard on public and commercial radio anymore like punk, reggae, ska, indie, rock, northern soul, funk, beat, psychedelic, world and metal. During our shows there'll be a chatbox for DJ's, artists and listeners. Wanna be part of something new and do you love good music? Get involved! Follow us on twitter @fusiononair