Ethereal Magic is a concept and compilation by one of the UK's most highly regarded and longest serving DJ and member of the UK soul music community, Tony Monson. Tony started DJ-ing on ZBM Radio in Bermuda from 1963-1967; then briefly was with offshore pirate Britain Radio 355 in 1967. In 1971-76, co-owner of Sound Unlimited in Brighton, which had the best selection of soul 7" in the South outside London; then had his own shop at Worlds End, London, called Disc Empire from 1978-1981, retailing and wholesaling records including Japanese jazz-funk imports in their heyday; also imported and wholesaled records (and later CD's) to shops both in and out of London from 1975 on-wards until recently. From 1981-1989; then more recently, from late 1998 on-wards - he has exclusively involved with Solar Radio - first on analogue, and later on Sky and the net. Along the way he created a trademark feature of his radio show, 'Ethereal Magic', a time to take it easy, relax and indulge in some of the most breathtaking mellow moments, this first CD collection offering moments both exclusive and for the first time on CD alongside tracks by classic artists.
INTERVIEW / JOHN ROCCA / FREEEZ / PINK RHYTHM
I bought the cheapest plain white 12″ record sleeves I could find. Then, leaning them up against the skirting boards all over my mum’s house, the two of us simply spray painted the word “FREEEZ” using a home made stencil on a thousand of them. The only upmarket touch was to get them shrink wrapped like all the US imports I was selling. The shiny clear plastic adding something special to, and slightly concealing our DIY job. I left the first copy at the Disc Empire shop, to see what happened.
