If you want to show some love to DJs and radio stations you feel deserve more recognition, we’ve released a feature called Spotlights. It allows you to highlight the creators you follow and share them on your profile. You can select up to 10 profiles via your For You Page and even leave a personalised note about why you’re into them. Your ringing endorsement then reaches your followers, allowing them to discover new mixes and creators while helping your favourites gain more exposure. We’re excited to dig into your recommendations!
Making use of Spotlights, Ross Allen is your favourite radio host’s radio host. Fronting ‘The Meltdown’ weekly on Soho Radio as well as a fortnightly show over at NTS, Ross approaches music with unequivocal enthusiasm. Unrestricted and boundless, his shows are odes to the genreless paths he treads, telling all kinds of stories in the process. We asked Ross to share his top three Spotlights, read on for his selections.
Richard Searling
Based in the UK, Richard Searling carries an incredible reputation. With over 50 years of radio experience, his shows have explored the deep grooves and tones of Soul. From Northern to modern melodies. You can catch him every Sunday morning on Solar Radio from 10AM-12PM BST, where he’ll hold your hand through some lush and soulful tones.
“Richard is legendary and deep into the world of Soul,’ Ross says. “He does two shows; one is a ‘Cellar Full Of Soul,’ which is more 1960s Northern Soul. But the one I particularly love is ‘Rare & Well Done,’ where he delves into his collection from the 1970s, the 1980s, the modern, the two step, the Rare Groove – and they can be very rare – and the Jazz Funk. He’s got brilliant stories to go with it. An amazing listen.”
Kev Beadle
Much like Ross, Kev Beadle’s origins lie in the club music scene, having presented on pirate radio stations stretching as far back as the 1980s. He channels these influences into his regular slot on Totally Wired Radio, ‘Mind Fluid,’ where he unleashes the latest and greatest of everything from Brazilian Jazz to Reggae Fusion. A true Jazz aficionado.
“Kev is just on it with all the new stuff as on it as anyone I know,” Ross shares. I find so much great stuff from him. He has great taste and a great presentation style.”
Colin Dale
Mixcloud veteran Colin Dale’s musical history also runs deep. Since hosting on KISS FM in the mid 1980s, he’s been on the lookout for abstract sounds, those beyond the realms of the mainstream. As a result, his ‘Abstrakt Dance Show’ dives into all things dance, showcasing the cutting edge sounds of Europe, the USA and beyond.
“I’ve been listening to Colin since the days of KISS as a pirate station,” Ross says. “The abstract Funk, the Future Funk or Techno as I think they call it in the modern day parlance. But it’s brilliant. All forms of it. He just covers all bases, presents it in a brilliant way and he’s totally on it. He’s just got impeccable taste.”
Who do you think more people should be listening to? Use Mixcloud’s Spotlights feature to recommend creators to your followers.