Radio Paradise
If there was one radio station that I had to choose as my favourite, it would be Radio Paradise. An Internet radio station that I discovered in the middle of last year, it’s playlists range from electronica to classic rock, and from world music to all manner of jazz. Incredibly free and devoid of any commercials whatsoever, with the slight exception of their DJs appear ‘on the air’ every so often to let you know about the station and the complete lack of commercials that you might hear on other broadcasts.
Repeated by their DJs time and time again, Radio Paradise is ‘listener-supported’, meaning that it relies totally on the contributions of its listeners. Available off its website (www.radioparadise.com), it remains to be one of the most popular online radio stations around, passing the 10,000 mark in early 2006. Little wonder really, considering that the majority of the songs in playback are not only of quality, but also mostly unheard of in the mainstream airwaves.
From the easy-going and uplifting tunes of Mike Doughty to the folksy rhythms of Dar Williams, the chill-out electronica of Morcheeba to the space sounds of God is an Astronaut, the enigmatic And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead to the haunting vocals of Azam Ali, this station definitely delivers. There appears to be no lack of interesting music played out, though if you follow the current top 40s religiously, you might turn away slightly disappointed from the current selection of music as none of that appears to be an emphasis here.
As an anti-hip-hop and anti-rap activist (there are always exceptions to the case, of course), however, it doesn’t really bother me. Anyways, go ahead and give it a shot.
Leave a Reply