Albert Redding & Mc Psycha

Albert Redding’s musical journey began in the mid-1980s, immersed in the vibrant blues party scene of East London, where legendary sound systems like Funkadelic shaped his deep appreciation for ‘70s funk, ‘80s soul, and rare groove. When dance music exploded in 1988, he stepped behind the decks for the first time, marking the beginning of a DJ career that has spanned decades.

From pirate radio to major commercial stations, Albert has left his mark on the airwaves, with guest appearances on KISS FM and BBC Radio 1. His talent has taken him to some of London’s most iconic clubs, including a two-year residency at The Powerhouse in Stratford.

Renowned for his eclectic and dynamic sets, Albert seamlessly blends everything from ‘70s funk to cutting-edge electronic dance music. In recent years, his passion for ‘80s soul, funk, and rare groove has resurfaced, driving him to introduce these timeless sounds to a new generation of music lovers.


DJ Albert Redding & MC Psycha
From East London Sound-System Culture to Centreforce Radio
The story of DJ Albert Redding and MC Psycha – aka Psychedelic Eric – goes back long before the music
reached the radio. It began in the streets, clubs and legendary blues parties of East London, during an
era when sound-system culture was at the heart of the community.
Albert and Eric were brought up in Custom House, E16, surrounded by a musical movement that would
have a lasting influence on both of them.
One of their greatest influences was the late, great George Smalls and his Funkadelic Soul Sound,
based around Cundy Road in Custom House. Funkadelic became a major part of the East London soul
scene from the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, with Daddy Scanka as its main mic man
alongside 76, Patrick Drayton and Paul Wilson – better known as PW.
These weren't simply parties. They were part of a culture.
Blues parties, packed venues and sound clashes brought communities together and created an
environment where DJs, selectors and MCs learned their craft. Albert and Eric were there experiencing it
first-hand.
During 1986–87, Eric and PW would warm up for Funkadelic at Rivers Nightclub and at many of the
blues parties connected with the sound. Those nights became part of a musical education that could
never have been learned from records alone.
Another major influence was the late, great Smarty Cains and Psychedelic Soul Sound, from Exning
Road in Canning Town, E16. Eric became part of Psychedelic Soul Sound in the early 1980s, an
association that would eventually help give him the name by which generations of listeners would know
him: Psychedelic Eric.
But East London was alive with sounds.
Side Affect Soul Sound, run by Brian Greenidge and Rody DaCosta from Forest Gate, E7, was another
important part of the scene. Across London there were sounds including Casual Affair from Hackney
and Special Edition from West London, alongside many others.
The legendary East versus West sound clashes became part of London soul folklore. Different sounds
brought their own DJs, MCs, selections and loyal followings, creating a competitive but hugely creative
culture that helped shape the generation that followed.
DJ Albert Redding
Growing up within this environment gave Albert Redding a musical foundation rooted in soul, funk and
rare groove.
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By the time the dance-music revolution exploded in 1988, Albert had begun DJing himself. His journey
subsequently took him through London's pirate-radio and club scenes, including guest appearances on
KISS FM and BBC Radio 1, as well as a two-year residency at The Powerhouse in Stratford.
Albert's musical knowledge has always stretched far beyond a single genre. His selections carry the
DNA of the sounds he grew up listening to – from 70s funk and rare groove to 80s soul, disco and the
electronic dance music that transformed London at the end of that decade.
That history eventually brought Albert to Centreforce Radio, where he took over following the
departure of Funky M from Silent Partners.
For the past three years, Albert has shared the Sunday show with his lifelong friend and fellow Custom
House native, MC Psycha.
MC Psycha – Psychedelic Eric
Music has been in Eric's blood from a young age – singing, writing, MCing and helping shape music and
radio throughout a career spanning several decades.
After his early years with Smarty Cains' Psychedelic Soul Sound and his involvement around George
Smalls' Funkadelic Soul Sound, another major chapter began in 1989 when Eric joined Centreforce
Radio 88.3 FM.
At a time when Centreforce was synonymous with the emerging house and rave movement, Eric
brought something different to the station.
He introduced Centreforce's first soul programme – The Soul Hours, broadcasting every Sunday from
2–4 PM. He also became involved in hosting shows, creating jingles and producing advertisements for
the station.
Following time away from broadcasting – including a few memorable years at that legendary "spa
retreat" on Caledonian Road – Eric returned to the Centreforce airwaves in 2020, joining Funky M and
Silent Partners for two years.
Today he is once again firmly behind the microphone.
Albert Redding & MC Psycha – Sunday Mornings
Today, Albert and Eric have brought the journey full circle.
Two friends raised in Custom House E16, influenced by the same sound systems, DJs, MCs, blues
parties and record collections, are now sharing those musical foundations with another generation.
Every Sunday morning from 11 AM–1 PM on Centreforce Radio, DJ Albert Redding & MC Psycha
take listeners through soul, funk, rare groove, disco and the music that shaped their lives – combining
Albert's selections with Eric's unmistakable presence on the mic.
Eric can also be heard alongside the original DJ Seeker on Saturday nights from 8–10 PM.
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Their Sunday show isn't about looking backwards.
It's about remembering where the music came from while keeping it alive today.
From Custom House and Canning Town to Forest Gate, Hackney and across London; from blues
parties and sound clashes to pirate radio; from Funkadelic and Psychedelic Soul Sound to
Centreforce 88.3 – the journey represents a piece of genuine London music history.
They were there.
They lived it.
And they're still playing it.
DJ Albert Redding & MC Psycha
Sundays | 11 AM–1 PM | Centreforce Radio