Festive Programme Schedule

Date : December 15, 2022 Category : Features, News

We’re more than excited to announce our star-studded schedule across the festive season.

We have a long list of specials coming your way – from pioneering artists in Philly soul, to the best British soul singers, to ‘Genre Challenge’ shows from our own presenters. On Christmas Day, the legendary Dexter Wansel of Philadelphia International Records joins us for a rare look into his time at the iconic label. ‘The First Lady of House’ Kym Mazelle also brings her infectious, warm energy to our Christmas Day line-up, as well as British soul royalty Junior Giscombe and DJ and vocalist Emma Noble.

Boxing Day is jam-packed, with two hour takeovers from celebrities including founder of Loose Ends Steve Nichol, founder of Imagination Leee John, internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter Emeli Sande, singer-songwriter Andrew Roachford and vocalist and songwriter Elisabeth Troy.

We also have Sy Sez delving into his Reggae collection for a our ‘Genre Challenge Show,’ Janice & Lorraine taking us on a journey through Hip Hop, and Brandon, Ricky, Ronnie and Jon treating us to their ‘Guilty Pleasures.’

Additionally, ex Mi-Soul family and Glitterbox star Melvo Baptiste returns on Christmas Eve, rising French remixer, producer and DJ Young Pulse treats us on New Years Day to disco and soul, and we let behind the scenes staff into the limelight – our leading lady LEV takes to the airwaves.

Also, founder of Mi-Soul Gordon Mac takes us through his career from the start in an exclusive Mi-Life two-part special, hosted by Ronnie Herel.

Finally, Mi-Drive presenter Ronnie Herel celebrates 20 years in radio this year, and to commemorate, we are broadcasting a two hour special with Mike Vitti taking a deep dive into Ronnie’s career. They take it back to the beginning when Ronnie was collecting records as a teenager, right up to joining the Mi-Soul team.

Christmas Eve *Schedule same except

*Melvo Baptiste, 11am-1pm

Glitterbox star and former Mi-Soul presenter Melvo Baptiste returns for his usual Christmas special.

Craig Williams in for Jigs, 3-5pm

Mike Vitti, The Funky Nation Christmas Special, 5-9pm

Mike gets funky for the first two hours, and gets Christmassy from 7!

The Christmas Grotto with George Kay, 9pm-1am

It’s a late night for Mi-Breakfast’s George Kay! He takes over on Christmas Eve with a few special surprises up his sleeve, including a big guest mix from DJ 279. Plus, the Mi-Soul kids are let loose way past their bed time…

Christmas Day

Deadly’s Christmas Breakfast , 7-10am

Remember to tell the kids they can’t open their presents until 10am! Join Deadly for 3 hours of joyous music and cracker jokes from the whole Smedley family.

Pete Andrew, The Soul Kitchen, 10am-1pm

Pete will be coming to you live from the studio on Christmas Day – expect all kinds of surprises!

Greg Edwards, Soul Spectrum, 1-3pm

There’s nothing better than hearing the smooth accent of Greg Edwards while you’re eating your Christmas dinner. Smooth soul, disco and more to ease you into the afternoon!

Kym Mazelle, 3-5pm

‘The First Lady of House Music’ Kym Mazelle joins us for a one off show. The American singer is regarded as one of the pioneers of House Music. Her music combines, R&B, Soul, Disco, and Pop, and in her long career, Kym has collaborated with David Morales, Marshall Jefferson, Frankie Knuckle, Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, David Guetta, Soul II Soul, Chaka Khan – the list really never ends!

Junior Giscombe, 5-7pm

The wonderful Junior Giscombe has had a long and varied career over the years, first becoming involved in the music industry in the late 70s. He’s worked as a performer, songwriter, and within various areas of production over the years. He shares his years of wisdom with us on Christmas day, with stories about everyone from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson, to Phyllis Hyman.

Dexter Wansel, Courtesy of Digital Jukebox Records UK, 7-8pm

The legendary producer, arranger, musician, composer and conductor Dexter Wansel is cited as having a huge influence on the sound of Philly soul – conducting for the MFSB orchestra, being the in-house writer, producer and arranger for Philadelphia International Records and A+R Director between 1978 – 1980. He takes us through his time at PIR during this one hour special.

Emma Noble, 8-10pm

British artist and DJ Emma Noble provide us with a sweet end to Christmas Day, with helpings of Donny Hathaway, De Barge and Lou Rawls. You’ll most likely recognise Emma as one half of the dynamic female DJ duo ‘Noble & Heath,’ who’ve played across the UK and Europe at places such as Ronnie Scotts, XOYO and Glastonbury. You’ll also regularly hear her gorgeous rendition of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Woman of The World’ on Mi-Soul!

D’Nyce, Soul’d Out Show, 10pm-1am

D’Nyce ends your day with an extended Soul’d Show, playing the best in neo-soul, RnB and soul.

Boxing Day

George Kay, Mi-Breakfast, 7-10am

George wakes up with you on boxing day – hungover or not, expect to hear some Luther to soothe you!

Emeli Sande, 10am-12pm

4 time Brit-award winning singer-songwriter Emeli Sande joins us for a two hour special on Boxing day. The internationally-acclaimed artist has sold 19 million singles worldwide, 6 million albums and was awarded an MBE for her Services to Music in 2018. Expect a mix of new and old hip hop, RnB, reggae and soul.

Leee John, 12-2pm

Next year celebrating 40 years in the music industry, Leee John is the founder of trailblazing soul and RnB group Imagination. The singer, songwriter, actor, record producer and most recently turned film producer joins us for a walk through his life and career, digging deep into his record crates for this two hour special.

Steve Nichol, 2-4pm

Founder of pioneering UK soul and RnB group Loose Ends, Steve Nichol, joins us on Boxing Day for a rare insight into his life and career as an established songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He’s brushed shoulders with anybody who’s anybody, so expect plenty of never-heard-before stories.

Elisabeth Troy, 4-6pm

The voice of MJ Cole’s Crazy Love and numerous other dance records, Elisabeth Troy has been making waves since the 90s on both the underground and mainstream dance scene. She treats us to a royal selection on Boxing Day with records from Prince, Teena Marie and Aretha.

Andrew Roachford, 6-8pm

British singer-songwriter Andrew Roachford was the main force behind the band Roachford, who scored their first success in 1989 with the hits “Cuddly Toy” and “Family Man”. He’s since had a successful solo career, and you’ll hear his voice regularly across Mi-Soul.

Janice & Lorraine’s Journey Through Hip Hop, 8-11pm

Janice and Lorraine are the first to take on the ‘Genre Challenge,’ taking us through three hours of classic hip hop. You’ll usually hear them every Friday hosting Mi-Afternoons between 1 and 4pm playing a bit of everything, but the two are avid hip hop fanatics too.

Perry Louis, Jazz After Dark, 11-1

Our resident jazz man Perry rounds of Boxing Day with a selection of all-vinyl jazz records meant for the dancefloor.

Tuesday 27^th *Schedule same except

*Mi-Life with Gordon Mac, Part 1, 4-7pm

To commemorate 50 years of DJing, the founder of Mi-Soul, Gordon Mac, has finally agreed to take part in a Mi-Life special. Gordon started the Mi-Life series around 8 years ago, where he interviewed some of his close friends about their life in music. He’s spoken to Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson, Judge Jules, Alex Lowe, Bob Masters, Dr Bob Jones, and Danny Rampling.

This time, it’s his turn in the hot seat. Ronnie Herel hosts this two part series, with Part 1 tonight!

Wednesday 28^th *Schedule same except

*Calvin Francis Rare Groove and Lovers Rock Special, 7-9pm

Enjoy a double dose of Calvin Francis this week, as he treats us to two hours Rare Groove and Lovers Rock.

Thursday 29^th *Schedule same except

Ronnie Herel: The Making of Me…in conversation with Mike Vitti, 9-11pm

Our Mi-Drive presenter Ronnie Herel celebrates 20 years in broadcasting this year, and in this special show Mike digs deep with Ronnie. They take it back to the beginning when Ronnie was collecting records as a teenager, right up to joining the Mi-Soul team.

New Years Eve *Schedule same except

Craig Williams, 9-11am

Deadly in for Jigs, 3-5pm

Michael Gray’s New Year’s Eve Warm Up, 7-10pm

We have an extra hour of Michael Gray to get us ready for the New Year. Expect the biggest house and nu-disco hits!

Mi-Soul’s non-stop New Years Eve Party, 10pm-2am

It’s the non-stop New Years Eve party! We’ll be playing huge classics all through the night to get you in the party mood.

New Years Day

Jon Jules, Mi-Weekend Breakfast, 7-10am

Ease that hangover with the sultry tones of Jon Jules.

Brandon & Ricky’s Guilty Pleasures with Jon Jules & Ronnie Herel, 10am-1pm

Brandon & Ricky are the infamous hosts of The Musical Emporium every Friday night between 7-9pm. The troublesome pair joins forces with Jon and Ronnie to bring you three hours of guilty pleasures.

Greg Edwards, Soul Spectrum, 1-3pm

Young Pulse, 3-5pm

Rising French producer, remixer, sound engineer and DJ Young Pulse provides us with two hours of his favourite disco and soul, including many of his own remixes. Expect music from The Spinners, Merry Clayton and

Sy Sez, Reggae Special, 5-7pm

Our resident Sy Sez hosts a bi-weekly show every Thursday from 9-11pm on rotation with Booker T. He’s known for his house selections – specialising in deep, soulful and afro sounds. Sy takes on the genre challenge and takes a deep dive in his reggae collection on New Year’s Day.