Tel: (01253) 691422 (Ans.Machine)
E-Mail: ph_factoruk@yahoo.co.uk
I commenced DJing, aged 17 in 1973, playing various Blackpool venues – Northern Soul and early Disco/Funk. I became a fanatical regular at legendary venues such as: Blackpool Mecca, Wigan Casino and the Manchester Ritz.etc.. Plus, visiting legendary southern venues like the Caister Weekenders, and The Goldmine at Canvey Island, Essex, regularly during the late 70’s. DJing various events in this period playing Jazz-Funk, Northern/Modern Soul and Disco.
By the early 1980’s I was also playing early Hip-Hop, Rap, Electro, Boogie, Go-Go, New York Post-Disco, with several long residencies and many guest DJ spots. By mid to late 1980’s I began playing early House, Garage and Techno, as well as continuing with, Soul, Funk and Rare Groove flavas. DJing from Glasgow to London many times, as well as my North West base. Also, playing at early Southport Weekender events. Voted in Top 50 most influential 80’s DJs worldwide, in the “Face” magazine in 1988.
DJs and acts, I have worked alongside with over the years include: Ian Levine, Colin Curtis, Chris Hill, Greg Wilson, Shaboom, Family Tree, Pete Tong, Coldcut, Norman Jay, Dave Lee/Joey Negro, Kev Roberts,Ian Dewhirst, Neil Rushton,Steve Barker,Terry Jones,Bob Jeffries, Richard Searling, The Originals,Kim Weston, Massive Attack, Freakpower,Will Downing,Drizabone, Georgie Fame, Joceyln Brown, Desmond Dekker, Taka Boom, Neneh Cherry,Frank Wilson,Brenda Holloway,Jools Holland,Robert Owens, and many more…..
My heroes and influences beside all the above include:David Mancuso, Larry Levan, , Walter Gibbons, Danny Krivit, Grandmaster Flash, Nicky Siano, Tom Moulton,Lee Perry, The Mizell Brothers, Sam Dees, Salsoul, Philadelphia International,Steve Barker,Johnny Mack,Jim Hodgekinson,Andy Holmes, West End,Norman Jay,Masters At Work,Shaboom,Danny Puicciarelli,Steve Naylor,Andy Lett,Dave Lee,Francois K.,Trojan,Dave Godin, Prelude, Patrick Adams, Vince Montana,Blue Note, Stevie Wonder,Brian Wilson,Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Motown, Detroit, Chicago, New York,Memphis,Stax,Atlantic, New Jersey, Manchester,Colin Curtis,Richard Searling,Ian Levine, Togetherness Weekenders, London,Martin Scorsese,Alfred Hitchcock,Ready Steady Go,Coen Brothers,Martin Luther King,Charles Dickens,Ealing Comedies, Ten City, Paradise Garage,The Twisted Wheel, The Loft, Blackpool Mecca, Wigan Casino, Southport Weekender, Blues and Soul Magazine,Manifesto, The Face, Echoes, On The Wire,Wax Poetics, etc…….sorry no footy!!
In 1980 I was introduced to NYC DJ (and Def Mix DJ team and Dance Pool reviewer), Danny Pucciarelli, by my dear friend and DJ partner, Steve Naylor. A love of NYC style mixing and music was thus acquired and has been a major influence since.
From 1984,- and still today!!!!!,- I have been a Black Dance music contributor with the “Funkology” show contributing to/as part of Steve Barker’s “On The Wire” show – which is an award winning specialist show on BBC Radio Lancashire, covering the North West area. In 1987 introduced Manchester DJ/Producer, Andy “Madhatter” Holmes to work on the show with me. We feature quality, upfront and classic/re-issue/re-edit/remix material only. The whole show celebrated its 25th Anniversary year in 2009!!! …and continues into 2012!!!
Journalist wise, in 1980 I commenced writing a dance culture column for the legendery “Face” magazine, and from 1984 to 2007, I contributed to nearly every issue of the “Clubhoppin” pages of Blues and Soul magazine.-r.i.p. In 1998 I wrote the foreword for acclaimed Northern Soul novel book,” Who The Hell is Frank Wilson?” and in 1995 the foreword and discography for Rare Soul all-niter memories opus “Nightshift” both by Pete McKenna, they are acclaimed fiction/bio-reads of 70’s underground club/soul culture. From 1998 I wrote a regular column for “Togetherness/N.Soul” magazine. And since 2003 till today a regular column for acclaimed monthly,“Manifesto” soul magazine. I have also contributed to Dj Snowboy,s recently published opus”The History Of The Uk Jazz Dance Scene” etc.. on the history of the Uk Jazz-dance music scene/movement.I am currently exploring the basis for a book on the legendery soul venue-The Blackpool Mecca.I am also getting to grips with technology and the wonders of dj tools/downloading/digital re-editing…I recently also guested on Internet radio for the first time with Colin Curtis.
I have been fortunate enough, to be profiled/interviewed/write for, in Blues and Soul magazine, Echoes magazine, The Guardian Newspaper Club Listings, City Life magazine’s Manchester Club Listings, Jazz/Smooth FM,The Southport Weekender events programme, Blackpool,s Evening Gazette,and various soul/dance music history books, including Dave Haslam’s “Manchester” and many local newspapers, and for film/dvd by Ian Levine for his “Strange World of Northern Soul” documentary box set. Plus, for Cable TV—“Scene One”-Club Culture in the N.West. In addition, I have recently had a DJ profile and a “mystery mix” posted on Bill Brewster’s acclaimed www.Djhistory.com site. I have also been interviewed by DJ Greg Wilson for his ElectroFunkRoots website/dj history pages, and have also had a DJ spot recorded for Internet.London based,- www.Starpoint Radio. recently. A recent development has seen me join the acclaimed specialist web/forums- E.M.S…..Essential Modern Soul. And DJ History.com Plus I am a regular user of Facebook. I have recently completed a mix and article/site input for Million Dollar Disco,s own website.I have also contributed information to new book for Bill Brewsters,DJ History.Com…..”The Record Players”. I have also just contributed to a book forthcoming, profiling the history and influence of black music on the radio in the U.K.
Studio/demo/promotion experience with acts including: Denise Johnson, Fifth of Heaven, Spiral Axis, Ootop, Johnson & Dean, Madhatter, and sample sourcing/mix opinion for Dave Lee (aka Joey Negro), and Blackpool’s premier label/outfit – “Shaboom”, featuring Mark Bell and Taka Boom etc.
In 1999 I released an underground Soul/Disco compilation, “Spirit Of The Mecca” – a various artists CD for Goldmine records, which earned top reviews and best seller status via 10 magazine reviews and stores stocking world-wide in the specialist Dance/Roots market. I have been credited for knowledge/advice/input in various compilation lp,s/cd,s over the years.
Music wise, personal listening can go from Frank Sinatra,Aretha Franklin,Sam Dees,Steely Dan, Jorge Ben,Classic Reggae, plus nu-jazz dance and Brazilian classics,Modern/X-over/Northern Soul,Rare Groove, funk/danceclassics, to todays soulful/jazzy dance sound.. NYC,s Masters at Work! Etc.. But DJ- wise I continue supporting U.S flava House and Garage, Soulful Dance Grooves, and Jazzy left-field joints,and clever re-edits/rmxs of class cuts, plus I am continuing to work in the revival Northern/X-Over/Modern Soul and Rare Groove/Jazz Funk-Disco market. I am also a DJ/partner in the team- (myself, Steve Naylor, Andy Lett, and Stewart Wennen-engineer) behind the acclaimed,(ex-Family Tree now known as-) -”Soulful Dance @” Sound System and club nights at Lytham/Wigan/Blackpool etc…. I was also honoured to have been selected to appear again, as a guest DJ at the May 2006 Southport Weekender. I also continue to appear at many of the top North West,Midlands, etc. specialist events/weekends as a guest/regular DJ.
My favourite current/classic DJs include: Masters at Work (Louie Vega and Kenny Dope), Norman Jay, Dave Lee (Joey Negro), Butch, Keb Darge, Kerri Chandler, Andy Davies, Gary Dennis, Soul Sam,Bob Jeffries, Giles Peterson, Richard Searling, Terry Jones, Joe Claussell, Francois K, Mr Scruff,Snowboy,Colin Curtis, Danny Krivit, Jazzy Jeff, Steve Naylor, Andy Lett, Dimitri from Paris, DJ Spinna,etc.. Favourite labels/acts/producers etc.. include: M.A.W.,Vega, E-Special,Gamm,Ace-Kent,Defected,Trojan, Grapevine, Goldmine, Expansion, Blaze, Z Records, Schema,Dome, SoulJazz, etc. favourite venues/events include The Southport Weekender, Blackpool Tower-Togetherness Weekender, Blackpool Hilton/SmoothFM Soul Weekender, plus various N.West events, including,Morecambe Soul Weekend, Soulful Dance Music @ various, Freestylin,@Manchester etc..
My favourite record shops/suppliers include King Bee in Manchester, Crazy Beat in Essex, Soul Brother in London, Piccadilly in Manchester, Dj Friendly, Brighton,Juno Records, plus various suppliers of rare grooves vinyl!!
I continue to DJ in a mixing or talk/freestyle approach, and although not a “premier league” DJ, I have wide,long,varied experience, plus knowledge, respect and standing on the underground/soulful dance music/club scenes. I remain a chart returner to various relevent magazines/websites, and remain on various record mailing lists. I feel I am honest in my opinions and reviews.
In 2012 I am celebrating over 39 years as a DJ/ punter on the club/soul scenes and over 30 years in radio/journalism. I continue to travel beyond the North West in my search for the ultimate groove, friends, good times, good vibes, and real music above all else!
Thank you for reading my CV and for your ongoing support.
Respectfully yours,
Pete Haigh.
