Listener Choice - FSQ on The Face Radio 2020
Choose your favorite 2020 episode of FSQ with Chuck Da Fonk on The Face Radio
We selected our favorite 10 shows from 2020 and we want to know if which one is YOUR favorite. We will re-broadcast the listener’s choice on Wednesday, January 6th 2020. If you haven’t checked out these fantastic sonic journeys, voyages through rhythms, melodies and lyrics - we’ve listed the episodes out below the poll - so you can check them out now for the first time.
Our top choice is “Missing Hours and Lost Songs” which may be the most cosmic and psychedelic episode of FSQ with Chuck Da Fonk to date.
The listener poll follows as well as the broadcasts.
FSQ’s Top 10 Epsiodes on The Face Radio from 2020 - which one is your favorite?
1) Missing Hours and Lost Songs
This episode of FSQ with Chuck Da Fonk may be the most cosmic and psychedelic to date. James Brown enters the scene, appearing throughout the program as a washed up R&B star – Lou De Long – who also happens to be a noted UFO-ologist. Characters of David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” TV series also appear here, supremely concerned about doppelgängers who could steal the kinetic energy of the episode. Music by Yello, Duran Duran, Laurie Anderson, Angelo Badalamenti, Out Hud, Brazilian Girls deftly soundtrack the audio oriented dreamscape presented in this two hour radio adventure.
2) Solitude Is Bliss - A New Wave Special + Guest DJ Chas Bronz
Tame Impala implores, “Solitude is Bliss”, and FSQ has adopted that as its mantra and episode title. But seclusion leaves the brain idle; as a result FSQ has wandered down memory lane and brought back records from Chuck Da Fonk’s mid 80’s childhood, including angsty new wave anthems by Shriekback, Blancmange, and Tuxedomoon.
Happy Birthday to guitar hero, multi-instrumentalist, producer and FSQ member, Chas Bronz. We dial in Chas, aka Tate Masimore, for a banging disco house guest DJ set, direct from his HQ in Jupiter, Florida. Keep an ear for the amazing + emotive Billy MacKenzie as we play his solo outings and legendary work for Yello and The Associates.
3) Live and Let Die - A James Bond 007 Tribute
In this episode titled “Live and Let Die”, host Chuck Da Fonk conflates being an international touring DJ with being some sort of secret agent type.
To relive his DJ adventures, Chuck conjures the spirit of James Bond via soundtracks and major movie themes. He also digs up rejected Bond movie songs by noted artists Lorraine Chandler, Phyllis Hyman, The Pretenders, Shirley Bassey and even Radiohead.
The FSQ New Music Ferry ships in sonic cargo from Mexico, France, Italy, Switzerland and the UK, via jams by Blancmange, Jean Tonique, Pato Watson, Ria Bird, Flevans, Nico Lahs, and Yello.
4) Discoteca Mexicana - A Mexican Music Special with Special Guest Dolette McDonald
This week, legendary chanteuse Dolette McDonald rejoins Chuck Da Fonk to reveal the pleasures of working with Mexican superstar Juan Gabriel. Dolette’s stories of Mexico and Mr. Gabriel inspired us to explore the diverse styles of Mexican music including cumbia, ska, jazz, pop / rock, and banda. We highlight Mexican music kings Bebu Silvetti, Pablo Beltan Ruiz, Johnny Laboriel, and Rigo Tovar. Mexican NuDisco is also a big focus of this episode with new tunes by Iñigo Vontier, Djeko & K’You, Juan Soto, LFA and Future Feelings. Plus keep a close ear for our music trivia games.
5) The Disciples of Funk - A Bootsy Collins Tribute with Special Guest Alan Leeds
James Brown may have taught all of us about the funk, but Bootsy Collins is his number one disciple. Mr. Collins aka Bootzilla just celebrated his 69th birthday and in tribute FSQ this week digs into a very specific period in his career. We look at the early 1970s when Bootsy had left James Brown’s band but not yet joined Parliament or Funkadelic.
Music Manager Alan Leeds, who worked with James Brown, Bootsy, and Prince among many other artists, re-joins us for the 2nd half of his extended FSQ radio interview.
The episode is jam packed, beyond the funk, we also pay tribute to Balearic legend José Padilla (RIP) and serve up new tunes by Groove Armada, strongboi, DJ Rocca, Franc Moody, and Lou Hayter.
6) Italo-Disco Special / Italian Music with Special Guest DJ Rocca
Blancmange kicks off this week’s episode with a litany of important questions including “What Time Is It”? We think it’s time to “Focus” just like the Yellow Magic Orchestra song opines. Our focus in the 1st hour is on musical tributes to legends we recently lost, like Bill Withers, Ryo Kawasaki, and Vaughn Mason. Our new show feature “Charlie’s Travel Agency” takes you on a sonic trip to Italy. Chuck also checks in with prolific Italian producer DJ Rocca direct from Rocca’s home town of Reggio Emilia. The FSQ new music ferry ships in with tunes by L’Imperatrice, Jex Opolis, and The Vision. Plus, listen close + play special trivia games with us to win FSQ vinyl.
7) Pre-Pandemic Fun with Special Guest Amy Douglas
Chuck Da Fonk pleases himself – and his soul – by diving deep into his pool of rare cuts, B-sides, and dub remixes by 80s artists such as The The, David Bowie, Propaganda, and The Eurythmics. Amy Douglas, a chanteuse who breathes life into productions across almost every style of music, brings her dance music wares to show off on The Face Radio. We spin her recent collaborations with Michael The Lion, Luke Solomon, Soul Clap, Louie Vega, and Dimitri From Paris. Miss Douglas also reveals her upcoming solo works, including a hot new project with Joe Goddard of Hot Chip and her new self-run imprint Ladyballs Records. FSQ’s six favorite all-time artists dominate the 2nd hour of the program. Can you name all of the holy FSQ six? New Music Ferry ships in from the EU with musical freight from Jimpster, Nicolas Godin and Rheinzand.
8) The Hourchild Chronicles 2020
The Hourchild Chronicles is our 2nd annual radio tribute to FSQ co-founder Sa’d The Hourchild Ali. Beyond being an incredible DJ, producer and vocalist, Sa’d also happens to be George Clinton’s nephew, and a member of Parliament-Funkadelic.
Sa’d Ali put in decades of work as a futuristic soothsayer to funk legends like Fonda Rae, Nona Hendryx, Louie Vega, Tom Moulton and so many others. While that’s a true statement, in this episode we move beyond dropping legendary names, and spend 2 hours exploring Sa’d’s story through his own words and music.
Soul Clap’s Charlie Levine joins us to help us move beyond the Hourchild facts, with the goal of conveying the shared warm feelings we all have for our brother Sa’d Ali.
9) A Radio Tribute to Los Angeles
FSQ’s Chuck Da Fonk dives deep into music related to the vibe of the City of Los Angeles (and it’s surrounding hamlets), including songs recorded in LA or by LA artists. With LA being known for growing so many musical genres, Chuck’s DJ picks here are sonically diverse.
This episode’s LA inspired FSQ selections cross several styles including smooth jazz, LA area produced rock and new wave, g-funk tinged hip-hop, and mid-70s soul. Expect a celebration of Los Angeles radio on air jocks of past eras, plus a special exploration of the very funky catalogues of LA based drummers Ollie E. Brown, and Buddy Miles (RIP).
10) Leo Astrology Tribute with Special Guest + Fellow Leo Greg J of Buena Vista Vinyl Club
This week, Chuck Da Fonk invites fellow The Face Radio DJ Greg J Harmon of the Buena Vista Vinyl Club show to discuss the ins and outs of their shared astrological sign, Leo (July 22nd – August 23rd).
Common Leo traits are sociability, generosity, loyalty, passion, dedication, and courage and Chuck lays down plenty of Leo radio show rap at The Face this week to demonstrate his own alignment with this affable persona.
We discover 1960s lounge/exotica music producer Mort Garson who offers up a whole album of songs describing Leos. Plus the FSQ New Music Ferry ships in with fresh sonic cargo by Roisin Murphy x Amy Douglas, Smoove & Turrell x Ray Mang, Beau Zwart, OOFT and more.