Paul Phillips Solar Radio

Paul Phillips

My love of soul music began in 1978 with the discovery of radio shows such as Greg Edwards (Capital Radio) and , Robbie Vincent (Radio London) and the original soul pirate Radio Invicta. During the early 80s more and more pirate stations started to appear on London’s airwaves playing soul funk and jazz. JFM, Horizon, LWR and Solar while DJs such as Phil Allen continued on Capital Radio. It was at this point that I decided to take my record collecting more seriously.

In 1982 I decided to start my own pirate radio station and although only small it attracted a cult following around south east London until in 1985 the DTI raided and confiscated the transmitter and studio equipment. By 1986 even more pirate stations had taken to the airwaves of London including Starpoint Fm. One day in October 1986 on hearing a request for new presenters I made contact with station manager Carl Webster and within a few weeks I began regular shows plus assisting with engineering, using the experience that I gained through operating my own radio station.

Between 1986 and 1990 when Starpoint FM finally ceased broadcasting I presented many shows playing the best of the new releases of the day alongside the classics of the 70s and 80s. After life as a pirate Starpoint FM went on to broadcast under various RSL’s during the 90’s at Windsor and at the Southport soul and dance weekenders and I continued to be involved in all of these until joining Solar Radio in October 1998. Over the years I have taken a keen interest in all aspects of soul music as well as traveling around the UK and USA trying to hunt down some of those obscure 70s and 80s soul records to play along side the classics.

Paul Phillips Soulful Grooves radio show is broadcast on DAB to inner London and Brighton and worldwide online at www.solarradio.com. The show features the very best in new Contemporary Soul, RnB, Soulful and Deep House releases mixed with classic and lesser known Soul, Funk, Disco, Boogie and Jazz Fusion from the 70s to the present day. More info, playlists and previous show podcasts can be found at www.soulfulgrooves.com