Giant 45

As those who have listened to it readily attest, Giant 45 really is a radio institution. The show itself continues to be extraordinarilly popular with its huge and knowledgeable UK audience. Now thanks to the internet, this unique musical experience is now heard and enjoyed by an ever increasing global audience every week. His obvious love and anecdotal knowledge of his specialist subject means that anyone hearing any of Norman's extensive back catalogue on-air for the first time will be gaining an invaluable insight into the origins and influences of contemporary afro-american music.

Personal collection

The programme first went 'on air' back in April 1997 after a couple of well received pilot shows. The show was loosely based on its legendary Kiss FM forerunner, 'The Original Rare Groove Show' first created by Norman back in his pioneering days as an illegal' London pirate radio deejay in 1985. The show comfortably fuses the pick of today's current dancefloor styles with the best of yesterday's forgotten soul, funk and disco classics. The continuing popularity and success of the show is a testament to Norman's abilities as a highly respected and knowledgeable presenter who retains as much passion and enthusiasm for playing quality black music as he ever did. Norman has literally thousands of rare vinyl albums, both 7 inch and 12 inch singles (and nearly as many CD's) waiting to be aired on the show from the annals of contemporary black music's illustrious hall of fame. His personal musical collection alone spans well over four decades and basically reflects just about every major facet and development in contemporary black music (and uk club culture) over the last quarter of a century. 

Styles

Whilst he is not averse to playing his favourite music on contemporary digital formats (ie CD's and Minidiscs), Norman's self confessed preferred format has always been for good old fashioned (analogue) vinyl - hence the name of his show 'Giant 45'. The black music styles featured on the programme each week range from original 60's r&b through to Northern soul and James Brown related funk and jazz as well as the more contemporary sounds of 70's black America, especially from original Philadelphia Int, Motown, Stax and Atlantic recordings. Rare original disco 12" 's and 7" funk, soul and jazz singles and albums from the 70's, 80's and 90's (some never previously released) are mixed with a tasteful selection of up to the minute soulful funky disco tinged house, hip hop, r&b, latin, disco classics, 60's & 70's sunshine pop, reggae and the odd left-field tracks along with the best of today's current UK, US and European releases.

Worldwide

The show is occasionally complimented by the surprise appearance of specially invited studio guests and from time to time comes live from various dance/music festivals around the UK and the world. The cult show 3 hour show now boasts record listening figures and continues to go from strength to strength with new fans listening in (on-line) from as far as EUROPE, USA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, ASIA, S. AMERICA and S. AFRICA - all joining Norman's MASSIVE domestic audience of dedicated black music lovers. We have literally thousands of new listeners 'turning on' and 'tuning in' to Giant 45 every week making it one of the most listened to and popular black music based radio shows IN THE WORLD.

Listen On Demand!

Our sincerest thanks to ALL our listeners who regularly tune into and enjoy the show via the internet every week. We hope you enjoy both the 'permanent' shows archived on this site and the Listen Again/On Demand facility kindly provided by BBC Online enabling you to enjoy Giant 45 as often as you like over a 7 DAY period at your leisure - see home page for more details. Though Giant 45 is NOT generally a request show, listeners are always encouraged to either TEXT the programme on the night on: +44 (0)7 932 949 949 or PHONE: +44 (0)207 224 2000 or EMAIL: giant45.london@bbc.co.uk with dedications or playlist suggestions for future shows.

Write to us

You can also write to us at our BBC studio address: c/o Norman Jay @ Giant 45, BBC London 94.9, 35 Marylebone High Street, London W1A 1AA UK. To receive Norman's weekly radio playlist - simply email the show anytime at the above address  remembering to put 'playlist request' in the subject box. This now means you will be able to receive the most up to date playlist every week usually within an hour of the show. This site always features the most up to date and detailed playlist which unfortunately is NOT mailed out.