'Ethereal Magic' is a concept and compilation by one of the UK's most highly regarded and longest serving DJs and members of the UK soul music community, Tony Monson. Tony started DJing 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"s in the south outside London; then had his own shop at World's 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 CDs) to shops both in and out of London from 1975 onwards until recently. From 1981-1989; then more recently, from late 1998 onwards - he has been exclusively involved with Solar Radio - first on analogue, and later on Sky and the internet. 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 homemade 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 too, and slightly concealed our DIY job. I left the first copy at the Disc Empire shop, to see what happened.
“Disc Empire, 35 Lynwood Grove, Orpington, Kent. Managing Director: Tony Monson. DISC EMPIRE was formed just over a year ago, and is both retail (mail order only) and wholesale, supplying collectors and record shops in the U.K. Imported stock (12-inch and standard singles and albums — mainly from America and the Continent) comprises disco, soul, golden oldies, modern jazz, reggae, r&b, and a small quantity of rock. Mail order customers include djs and clubs. Tony Monson feels that the role of the importer is a very important one as far as breaking new release is concerned: "In many cases, if the interest hadn't started first on the import, you wouldn't have such a massive hit, or it possibly wouldn't be released at all. It is a hazardous and gambling business, but it is very rewarding when one can have such a close hand in promoting the music that one particularly likes, and to help it go on to receive mass acceptance. Although we are dealing purely in wholesale and mail order at present, we're envisaging the possibility of having a retail shop in London in the near future, to provide a second-to-none disco service."
... and this snippet on page 41 of 'Record Mirror' dated August 23, 1980: “Tony Monson discovered Ned Doheny when his assistants at Chelsea's Disc Empire were playing the otherwise rather country-rock orientated old LP downstairs and the jazz track suddenly wafted up through the floorboards!”
... plus this on page 41 of the September 27, 1980 edition: “Tony Monson's Chelsea Disc Empire shop expects a huge Japanese jazz shipment over the weekend to include David Matthews, John Stubblefield, Shigenaru Mukai and the new Hino.”