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Born
and raised in Amsterdam, Andreas began to discover soul music in the mid-70’s,
while listening to seminal soul groups like The Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire
and Parliament-Funkadelic. In 1982, he joined FMAK (his first radio experience)
and in a team of 14 they literally pioneered Soul/Funk/R&B music and managed to
create huge awareness across the country! Since the early 80’s, he has DJ’d
extensively in clubs all over Europe and as recently as 2004, was a prominent
member of the 40-plus team of DJs that brought the world quality Soul music 24/7
on the pioneering station www.soul24-7.com |
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His
freelance A & R activities began in the mid-90s initially out of frustration
towards the music industry and as a result of artists’ continuous battle for
recognition and airplay. He now works extensively with international artists and
record labels worldwide. Andreas explains: "I love to track down unknown talent
as well as the heroes of the past to breathe new life into them. It's
inconceivable that true artists are dropped by record companies, knowing that
most of them can easily out-sing the majority of the current younger generation
of “artists” dominating the airwaves. I'm aware that the music industry is a
multi-million dollar business. However, there is a market for any artist no
matter what their age or type of music. We consumers are entitled to make a
choice and get the best – the music should come first and that is something most
major labels seem to forget!"
He
firmly believes that in addition to everyday activities, it is the role of a
good artist manager to develop a natural, detailed interest in the lives of the
artists he manages, as this makes him a better manager. On the state of the
music industry, he says: “Unlike what a lot of people think, most artists don’t
make that much money in return for the amount of time, energy and commitment
they put into the recording process. It is this sorry state of affairs that
provides me with the motivation to do what I do”.
Possessing impeccable musical taste and a musical knowledge to match, he has
come a long way from being a listener to the person he is today, making huge
financial sacrifices and personal commitments along the way, in order to make
his dreams come true. He is an avid record collector of over 25 years’ standing
and rumour has it that he has accumulated no less than 40,000 vinyl albums and
over 20,000 CDs and counting.
From the early eighties to the present, he has interviewed and worked with the
likes of Barry White, Leon Ware, Temika Moore, Jean Carne, Phyllis Hyman, Indira
Khan (daughter to Chaka),
Sy Smith, Slave, Janita, Gwen McCrea, Zapp, Nathan
Heathman, Ledisi, Frank McComb, Res, Robert Brookins, Mary J Blige, Peggi Blu,
Kloud 9, Leroy Burgess, Charles & Gwen Scales, Shabazz, Lalah Hathaway,
Alyson
Williams and N'Dambi to name a few.
Other
notable achievements include the successful label signings of Ali Ollie Woodson
(formerly of The Temptations), Shabazz,
Ian Martin, husband & wife duo
ÄJ
(Andrea & James Rohlehr,) Felicia Adams, Vaneese Thomas (daughter to the late Rufus
Thomas), Bob Baldwin, Charles & Gwen Scales, Sandra St. Victor (formerly of The
Family Stand), Karen Bernod, Byron Woods, Marva King and many more! He is constantly active
within the industry, working on a variety of musical projects and taking every
opportunity to promote the work of quality artists and labels.
After
several years of hosting shows far and wide in countries like Holland, Sweden
and The UK (with a combined listenership in the region of over 6 million),
Andreas currently presents shows on UK’s
Starpoint Radio (Sky Digital Channel
0163) Fridays 19:00-21:00 (GMT).
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