The DJ from London playing "positive, uplifting and inspirational" music, RICHARD WHITE.

Richard is currently DJ in residence at 'Psalms At Chimes', a weekly gospel nightspot held in a wine bar in North London. He's been DJing since 1989. He started off by playing gospel at weddings and birthday parties. "I was just providing a service for Christians," says Richard, "but then the whole thing began to escalate, especially as the music got better and the artists started to crossover. God has caused a lot of things to happen for me so that things have fallen into place. I've got my own decks now and I'm fully mobile."

The Preacher's track record since then is impressive. He worked at what may well have been Britain's first fully gospel club - Global Gospel in Hammersmith - and has also spun the decks at Ecclesia in Brixton and the wonderful 'Gospel On Ice' and 'Roller Gospel' events that so sadly ended last year. Richard has also done stints for Radio Cracker and assisted Benny King's show on Choice FM. Then there's the live reviews he writes for Premier magazine and The Weekly Journal. Richard also advised Island on their 'Soul Stirrings' release and organised the launch party for the album at Ecclesia.

'Psalms At Chimes' (Chimes is the name of the wine bar) is an opportunity that came about after the owner of the complex, who's a Christian, saw a gospel jazz club in America and realised we had nothing like it over here. It's been running since September. "The initial buzz wasn't all that great," comments Richard, "but ever since Commissioned came over and did a live PA we've had steady crowds. It's about Christians being able to have fun, being able to express themselves to inspirational music."

And Richard's music policy? "I'll play gospel and non-gospel, but obviously the lyrical content must be of a positive nature; uplifting, inspirational. But the production must be spot on. If it doesn't sound good then I'm not really interested. Some say we should support gospel whatever, but there's no point in saying it's brilliant if the music's a load of rubbish. I'm looking for fat beats. I love my vinyl. I'm preachin' through the vinyl."
Karl Allison