Simon Alvaro First record: Johnny Morris reading 'The Herbs', and the narrated story of Aladdin. Then it was Wham - 'Fantastic', the '1812 Overture' by Tchaikovsky and 'Electro 7' on Street Sounds, on cassette. Oldschool!
Simon Alvaro is half Spanish and has lived in the UK from the age of 2. After his first records, a rock and indy phase followed with Pink Floyd, Carter USM and The Pixies being his big faves.
At about 17 years of age, being an avid radio listener and living on a big hill in West Sussex, he was lucky enough to pick up Kiss FM in it's early days. The music djs on that station opened up another world to him. Norman Jay, Gilles Peterson, Fabio, Coldcut, Paul 'Trouble' Anderson, Colin Dale, Patrick Forge, David Roddigan and Bob Jones, amongst others. "All of them just played music like I'd never heard before and it blew me away. I listened to that station so much, just soaking it up, learning and writing wants lists".
Charlie Gillet, Andy Kershaw, Ross Allen and of course, the late John Peel were amongst the other djs that Simon admired and loved for their broad tastes and sheer enthusiasm. All these people opened his ears to new and innovative sounds. They helped inspire a thirst, curiosity and passion for music that has grown with time.
He had been buying records for a long time and in about 96 went halves with Dave Blackgrove on a cranky old set of belt drive decks. A couple of years later he finally got some faithful 1210s. At about the same time opportunities to play at various parties came along, which Simon enjoyed. As well as that, he presented a weekly hospital radio show. "I loved doing that, but I have a sneaky feeling no one actually listened!" Seeing dj's rocking it live at various club nights also inspired Simons enthusiasm for djing. Whilst Russ Jones of Future World Funk, has given him inspiration, encouragement and welcome opportunities.
Simon says his enthusiasm for djing grew out of his enthusiasm for music and it's true. His record collection is solid! When it comes to Simons DJ sets, it's anything goes as long as it's good, funky and right for the moment. It's all about quality over style and he proves that every time he plays.
As well as being a Sambalanco resident, Simon Alvaro has played at 'Future World Funk' at the Notting Hill Arts Club, 'Global Lounge' at the Vibe Bar and 'Hospitality' at Heaven for Hospital Records. He also has a full time day job as a graphic designer and works part time as a youth worker. This man has many skills, not least playing great records.
Chart
April 2008
1. HERCULES AND THE LOVE AFFAIR: Blind, Frankie Knuckles mix (DFA)
2. TANGOTERJE: I want your love (Supreme Records)
3. THE HERBALISER: Bongo Boom (Skyline Records)
4. JEROME SYDENHAM: In the barbershop (Ibadan)
5. TRUS ' ME: Working Nights LP (Fat City Records/Prime Numbers)
1. Martin Buttrich: Full Clip. Planet e
2. Jerome Sydenham: Timbuktu. AME main mix. Ibadan
3. Peven Everett: Everyday Girl. Mr V Re Touch,. ABB Soul
4. Talc presents: Man/Boy featuring Girl: It?s Only Perfect. WahWah 45?s
5. Bent: To be Loved. Soulchild mix. Godlike and Electric
6. Opolopo, feat Amalia: Life?s a Dance. Especial
7. Yam Who: Here We Go Again. Little League Productions
8. Amp Fiddler: Right Where You Are, extended version. Pias/Wall of Sound
9. Askillz vs Beatvandals. Money Banger
10. Red Astaire: Down 2 Earth. GAMM
11. DJ Shadow: Enuff. Island
12. Cut Chemist: The Garden. Warner Brothers
13. The Boy Least Likely To: Hugging My Grudge. Too Young to Die
14. Tunng: Jenny Again. Full Time Hobby
Aug / Sep 2006
1. Bookashade: In white rooms. Get Physical
2. Dennis Ferrer: Son of raw. Ibadan
3. Rodamaal feat Claudio Franco: Insomnia, Ame mix. Buzzin?Fly
4. Coldcut: Walk a mile in my shoes, Henrik Sharwz mix. Ninja Tune
5. Tennis Hero: Alone. DNM Music
6. Herbert: Moving like a train. K7/accidental
7. Simbad: Soul fever. Raw Fusion
8. Clyde & Capitol A: Serve it up. Sonar Kollectiv
9. Oreja vs. Plenafro: Plenafro. Candella
10. Nightmares On Wax: African Pirates, Troubleman mix. Warp
11. Elektrons: Woo woo song. Pias
12. ESG: Insane, tambourine mix. Soul Jazz
13. Norman Weeks and The Revelations: Hold on, Dixon Edit. Sonar Kollectiv
14. Nice Up: Mana?s multiply. Nice Up
15. Ms Dynamite: Fall in love again. Boom
