My personal journey of discovery of soul music began in 1983. I was living in my hometown of Zaandam in Holland and there was an Amsterdam-based radio station that always caught my attention with the high quality of soul music presented by its DJs. This station, called Decibel Radio turned out to be the country’s most popular pirate radio station at the time. I remember my two favorite programs were broadcast on Sundays. First off was the “Decibel Dance Report”, which was followed by another show hosted by my favourite presenter, the amazing Paul van Dam, who later became a club DJ in the mid- to late 80’s and played in some of the trendiest clubs in town.

At the (tender) age of 17, I began spending a lot of time in record shops, with my favourite being ‘Coco Records’ – a specialist import shop right at the centre of Zaandam. My collection grew very slowly and by the end of the 80’s

it comprised many differing styles that I would have described simply as ‘good music’.

While enjoying the many good radio programs I heard on radio around Amsterdam, it seemed really strange to me that all of the great records that I was discovering never seemed to get the right kind of exposure they deserved - a fact which led me to start DJing myself. At about the same time, I got a job at Counterpoint FM, compiling the weekly import chart known as “Digital Trax”, unfortunately for me, Counterpoint stopped operating in 1994, but at about the same time I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to present my very own radio show. I grasped it with both hands and immediately became a part of the Dutch soul scene. (What a mistake! smile!)

There followed brief appearances on other pirate radio stations like PowerVizion, Hi-Freak FM, Dynex, Skyline and Laser FM. In spite of these opportunities, I have to say that nine straight years of constant threats of closure were enough to convince me that it was time to draw a line under pirate broadcasting as a concept. The first broadcasting licence was issued in 2003 to Laser FM and I was fortunate enough to present a show, co-hosted by my good friend Andreas Hellingh, whom I’d first met in 1994. Looking back, I guess you could say Andreas and I were ‘Brothers in Arms’, as we shared the same musical vision and constantly exchanged ideas and information on the latest musical gems out there!

My DJing exploits and A&R train spotting activities have taken me to some interesting places all over Europe and the USA throughout the past 7 years, with some personal highlights being the official release on the UK’s Expansion Records, of a previously dropped 1991 project on Capitol Records by Starpoint’s Renee Diggs, called “Oasis”. Other worthwhile projects include official European re-releases by Atlantic Starr, Robbie Danzie, Gerry Deveaux and Kuh Ledesma.

I possess a very wide-ranging interest in musical tastes and styles, but have a general preference for upbeat (up-tempo) music. I also collect ballads and mid-tempo tracks from all black music genres. I currently host shows for a variaty of local radio stations in the Benelux, where I spin the pick of the latest new soul releases, plus a selection of choice oldies from my cherished collection.