Meet - Neil Greaves
DJ Neil Greaves
Founder of Love Soul Radio London
Neil Greaves grew up in a house filled with music. His mother was a passionate record collector, with an enormous vinyl collection covering reggae, blues, soul, folk, country, rock and almost everything in between.
When Neil was around ten years old, he began exploring that collection for himself. Discovering records by Bob Marley and The Wailers, Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles and Millie Jackson sparked a lifelong passion. Before long, his paper-round money was being spent in Aylesbury record shops including Record House, Earth Records and Our Price.
In 1984, Neil and a group of college friends established the successful mobile disco Select Sounds. It was his first real experience of performing for an audience and taught him the essential skills of reading a room, building a dancefloor and choosing the right record at the right moment.
During the 1990s, Neil became a regular fixture in pubs, bars and clubs throughout Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area. He secured resident DJ positions at venues including Chicago Rock Cafe and later had the opportunity to DJ for Ministry of Sound. These busy club years developed his confidence, versatility and ability to connect with very different audiences.
Neil eventually moved into radio, where his experience as a working DJ combined naturally with his deep musical knowledge and relaxed personality. His broadcasting career included time with Retro Soul Radio London, where he further developed his warm, conversational presenting style.
In August 2018, Neil founded Love Soul Radio London.
His ambition was to create more than another automated internet stream. He wanted a genuine radio station with knowledgeable presenters, distinctive personalities and carefully selected music—a place where established classics, forgotten gems and independent new releases could be heard together.
As founder and owner, Neil remains closely involved in every part of the station. Alongside presenting his own programmes, he helps shape its musical direction, develops new shows, builds the schedule, recruits and supports presenters, promotes independent artists and oversees the station’s continuing growth.
Neil’s specialist programme, Philly Friday, celebrates the legendary Philadelphia sound created by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Thom Bell and the artists, musicians and arrangers associated with Philadelphia International Records. The show combines familiar favourites with album tracks, B-sides and overlooked recordings from artists including Teddy Pendergrass, The O’Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, Lou Rawls and The Three Degrees.
He also presents The Big Box of Chocolates, a deliberately unpredictable journey through soul, funk, jazz-funk, boogie, disco, reggae, lovers rock, soulful house and much more. Like opening a box of chocolates, listeners never know exactly what is coming next—but every selection has been chosen with purpose.
Neil believes radio should feel personal. A presenter should be more than a voice between records: they should understand the music, research the artists and make the listener feel part of the programme. His own style combines musical knowledge, conversation, humour and an instinct for creating a genuine connection.
From discovering his mother’s vinyl collection and launching Select Sounds in 1984, through the clubs of the 1990s and into radio, Neil’s journey has always been driven by the same principle: finding great music and sharing it with others.
Today, that passion remains at the heart of Love Soul Radio London—a station built around personality, discovery, musical freedom and respect for the artists and culture behind the music.
A Few of Neil’s Favourites
First record ever bought:
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Guaranteed to fill the dancefloor:
Earth, Wind & Fire – Let’s Groove
Personal favourite—the greatest record ever made:
Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime. Strange, hypnotic and completely original. A record that makes you dance, think and question everything at the same time. In Neil’s opinion, popular music simply doesn’t get any better.
Favourite way to spend his spare time:
Watching Tottenham Hotspur—for his sins. It’s less a hobby and more an ongoing test of emotional resilience.
Guilty pleasure:
Anything wonderfully cheesy from the 1970s—including Leo Sayer or Cat Stevens. Guilty pleasure? Not at all. Brilliant in Neil’s book.
DJ. Broadcaster. Record collector. Founder.
Neil Greaves is the driving force behind Love Soul Radio London:
Soul music, from London to the world.