Soul Interviews Podcast

The music world has lost one of the people who helped change the way dance music was heard, promoted and ultimately understood.

Ray Caviano has passed away.

For those who know the history of disco and dance music, Caviano was far more than a record promoter or label executive. He belonged to that remarkable generation of music people who understood something the established record industry initially struggled to grasp:

the dance floor could break a record.

Long before streaming statistics, algorithms and social media metrics determined what the music business considered important, Ray listened to DJs. He went into the clubs. He watched people dance. He understood that something happening in an underground room in New York could eventually find its way into millions of homes.

And he helped make that happen.

During the explosive growth of disco in the 1970s, Caviano became one of the most influential figures in record promotion.

Working with T.K. Records, he developed relationships with DJs and clubs at a time when dance-floor reaction was becoming an increasingly powerful force in breaking records. Artists associated with the T.K. world included KC and the Sunshine Band, Peter Brown, T-Connection, The Ritchie Family, George McCrae and many others.

Ray understood that DJs weren't simply playing records.

They were discovering them.

The clubs were laboratories. A record could be tested in front of an audience immediately, and the reaction of dancers could tell you something no marketing meeting ever could.

That philosophy would become central to Caviano's career.

His success eventually attracted the attention of Warner Bros. Records, where he headed the company's dance music operation and established his own label, RFC Records — its name taken, characteristically, from Ray's own initials.

It was an extraordinary position for someone coming from the emerging world of club promotion.

Among the artists signed to RFC was Canadian producer and musician Gino Soccio, while the label also became inseparably connected with one of the defining groups of sophisticated post-disco soul: Change.

And within Change was a young singer whose extraordinary voice was beginning to attract attention.

His name was Luther Vandross.

Songs such as The Glow of Love and Searching would become landmarks of that period and part of a musical lineage stretching from disco into the sophisticated soul, boogie and dance music of the 1980s.

Perhaps Ray Caviano's greatest legacy, however, cannot be found simply by looking through a discography.

It was his understanding of how music travelled.

Promotion in Ray's world was personal.

It meant relationships with DJs. Telephone calls. Record pools. Clubs. Conversations. Watching a dance floor and understanding why one record connected while another didn't.

The DJ mattered.

The dancer mattered.

And the underground mattered.

Today a song can travel around the world in seconds. An algorithm can recommend a record to millions of people who have never met one another.

Ray came from another world.

A world where somebody had to believe in a record enough to carry it into the right room, put it into the hands of the right DJ and give it the opportunity to find its audience.

People like Ray Caviano were the connection between those rooms and the mainstream record industry.

Without that connection, the history of disco — and consequently much of modern dance music — would look very different.

I had the privilege of interviewing Ray for SoulInterviews.

Looking back at that conversation today feels different.

When you interview someone who actually participated in an important period of music history, you are doing more than discussing records. You are documenting memories from someone who was there when those records were new, when decisions were still being made and when nobody yet knew which songs would eventually become classics.

Ray wasn't looking back at disco as a historian.

He had lived it.

He had stood inside the machinery that took music from underground clubs and carried it towards a much wider audience.

That is why I have decided to republish my interview with Ray Caviano here on SoulInterviews.

Not simply as an interview from the archives, but as a document from someone whose contribution deserves to be remembered.

The word disco has travelled an extraordinary journey.

It has been celebrated, ridiculed, declared dead, rediscovered and celebrated all over again.

But the musical culture that grew from those dance floors never disappeared.

You can hear its DNA in house music.

In garage.

In boogie.

In contemporary R&B and electronic dance music.

And behind that history are people whose names may never have appeared prominently on the record sleeve but whose instincts helped those records reach us.

Ray Caviano was one of those people.

A promoter.

A record man.

A believer in DJs.

A believer in the dance floor.

And, ultimately, one of the people who helped bring underground dance music into the mainstream.

Rest in peace, Ray Caviano.

Thank you for the music you believed in, the records you helped break, the doors you helped open — and the stories you left behind.

Ray Caviano 1951–2026

SoulInterviews – The Sound of Emotions

A SoulInterviews tribute to one of dance music's great pioneers

The music world has lost one of the people who helped change the way dance music was heard, promoted and ultimately understood.

Ray Caviano has passed away.

For those who know the history of disco and dance music, Caviano was far more than a record promoter or label executive. He belonged to that remarkable generation of music people who understood something the established record industry initially struggled to grasp:

the dance floor could break a record.

Long before streaming statistics, algorithms and social media metrics determined what the music business considered important, Ray listened to DJs. He went into the clubs. He watched people dance. He understood that something happening in an underground room in New York could eventually find its way into millions of homes.

And he helped make that happen.

During the explosive growth of disco in the 1970s, Caviano became one of the most influential figures in record promotion.

Working with T.K. Records, he developed relationships with DJs and clubs at a time when dance-floor reaction was becoming an increasingly powerful force in breaking records. Artists associated with the T.K. world included KC and the Sunshine Band, Peter Brown, T-Connection, The Ritchie Family, George McCrae and many others.

Ray understood that DJs weren't simply playing records.

They were discovering them.

The clubs were laboratories. A record could be tested in front of an audience immediately, and the reaction of dancers could tell you something no marketing meeting ever could.

That philosophy would become central to Caviano's career.

His success eventually attracted the attention of Warner Bros. Records, where he headed the company's dance music operation and established his own label, RFC Records — its name taken, characteristically, from Ray's own initials.

It was an extraordinary position for someone coming from the emerging world of club promotion.

Among the artists signed to RFC was Canadian producer and musician Gino Soccio, while the label also became inseparably connected with one of the defining groups of sophisticated post-disco soul: Change.

And within Change was a young singer whose extraordinary voice was beginning to attract attention.

His name was Luther Vandross.

Songs such as The Glow of Love and Searching would become landmarks of that period and part of a musical lineage stretching from disco into the sophisticated soul, boogie and dance music of the 1980s.

Perhaps Ray Caviano's greatest legacy, however, cannot be found simply by looking through a discography.

It was his understanding of how music travelled.

Promotion in Ray's world was personal.

It meant relationships with DJs. Telephone calls. Record pools. Clubs. Conversations. Watching a dance floor and understanding why one record connected while another didn't.

The DJ mattered.

The dancer mattered.

And the underground mattered.

Today a song can travel around the world in seconds. An algorithm can recommend a record to millions of people who have never met one another.

Ray came from another world.

A world where somebody had to believe in a record enough to carry it into the right room, put it into the hands of the right DJ and give it the opportunity to find its audience.

People like Ray Caviano were the connection between those rooms and the mainstream record industry.

Without that connection, the history of disco — and consequently much of modern dance music — would look very different.

I had the privilege of interviewing Ray for SoulInterviews.

Looking back at that conversation today feels different.

When you interview someone who actually participated in an important period of music history, you are doing more than discussing records. You are documenting memories from someone who was there when those records were new, when decisions were still being made and when nobody yet knew which songs would eventually become classics.

Ray wasn't looking back at disco as a historian.

He had lived it.

He had stood inside the machinery that took music from underground clubs and carried it towards a much wider audience.

That is why I have decided to republish my interview with Ray Caviano here on SoulInterviews.

Not simply as an interview from the archives, but as a document from someone whose contribution deserves to be remembered.

The word disco has travelled an extraordinary journey.

It has been celebrated, ridiculed, declared dead, rediscovered and celebrated all over again.

But the musical culture that grew from those dance floors never disappeared.

You can hear its DNA in house music.

In garage.

In boogie.

In contemporary R&B and electronic dance music.

And behind that history are people whose names may never have appeared prominently on the record sleeve but whose instincts helped those records reach us.

Ray Caviano was one of those people.

A promoter.

A record man.

A believer in DJs.

A believer in the dance floor.

And, ultimately, one of the people who helped bring underground dance music into the mainstream.

Rest in peace, Ray Caviano.

Thank you for the music you believed in, the records you helped break, the doors you helped open — and the stories you left behind.

Ray Caviano 1951–2026

SoulInterviews – The Sound of Emotions

A true legend of Philadelphia soul, Bunny Siegel's name is forever etched in the history of R&B and funk. Known for his smooth vocals, impeccable songwriting, and his role as a pioneer of the Philly sound, Bunny's contributions helped define the golden era of soul music. As a member of the famed Delfonics, his voice became the heartbeat of a generation, influencing countless artists across genres and solidifying his place as one of Philly's finest musical talents.

In this rare and intimate interview with DJ Soulswede, recorded in 2012, Bunny reflects on his remarkable career—sharing insights into the rise of Philly soul, the dynamics of working with iconic figures like Thom Bell, and the stories behind some of the genre's greatest hits. As one of the architects of the "Philly Sound," Bunny's impact on music is undeniable, but in this conversation, he also opens up about his personal journey, the challenges he faced, and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.

Join us as we dive deep into the world of Philly soul with a man whose voice and vision continue to echo through the halls of music history.

As one of the most influential figures in contemporary smooth jazz, Brian Culbertson has been at the forefront of the genre for over two decades. With his signature blend of soulful melodies, sophisticated arrangements, and genre-bending experimentation, Culbertson has not only shaped the sound of modern jazz but has continuously pushed its boundaries. From his early days as a rising star to becoming a renowned producer, composer, and performer, Culbertson has never been content with staying within the lines—always evolving, always exploring new directions.

Throughout his career, Brian has kept the pulse of smooth jazz alive, often giving it a much-needed jolt of energy and creativity. He's been a master at reinvigorating the genre, introducing fresh concepts while staying true to its rich tradition. Whether it's through his vibrant album releases, captivating live shows, or collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, Culbertson has breathed new life into smooth jazz, keeping it relevant and dynamic for a new generation of listeners.

In this exclusive interview from 2010, DJ Soulswede sits down with Brian to explore his journey, his never-ending quest for musical innovation, and his role in shaping the future of smooth jazz. Culbertson opens up about his creative process, his desire to always push the envelope, and what drives him to continue leading the charge for a genre he has single-handedly helped to evolve and redefine.

In the early 1980s, Loose Ends emerged as one of the defining voices in British soul, blending smooth grooves, infectious melodies, and cutting-edge production. At the forefront of this revolution was Carl McIntosh, the group's mastermind and musical genius. With their unique sound, Loose Ends achieved international success, crafting timeless tracks like "Hangin' on a String," "Gonna Make You Mine," and "Slow Down."

But the journey wasn't without its complications. As the band's success grew, so did internal tensions—specifically with fellow members Steve Nichols and Jane Eugene. In this candid conversation, Carl McIntosh reflects on the highs and lows of his career, the complex dynamics that shaped Loose Ends, and the group's groundbreaking collaborations with legendary producer Nick Martinelli.

Martinelli, who helped shape their sound with a distinctive fusion of R&B, funk, and electronic elements, once commented that he thought the band was "too deep" for mainstream success. But despite the hurdles, their work together left an indelible mark on the music scene. Carl opens up about these pivotal moments, shedding light on what went wrong within the band and the profound impact those years continue to have on his music and legacy today. A throwback interview from 2014.

In part two of our conversation with the great Michael Henderson, we continue exploring his remarkable legacy, diving into the latter half of his career up to today. From his unforgettable solo hits to his continued influence in R&B, jazz, and beyond, Michael reflects on his evolution as an artist, the music industry's changes, and the lasting impact of his work. With his signature wisdom and wit, he gives us a rare glimpse into the mind of a true music pioneer.

Michael Henderson's impact on music is nothing short of legendary. A gifted bassist, singer, songwriter, and producer, his career spans decades of innovation, collaboration, and timeless music. In this first part of our conversation, recorded in 2011, Michael takes us through the early years of his incredible journey—from his groundbreaking work as a bassist alongside icons like Miles Davis to his evolution into a soulful singer with chart-topping hits. With candid reflections and behind-the-scenes stories, he shares what it was like shaping the sound of an era.

As the holiday season fills the air with nostalgia and warmth, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations with the soulful Anthony David. Known for his heartfelt lyrics and timeless melodies, Anthony opens up about what Christmas means to him—family traditions, favorite holiday songs, and the unique way the season inspires his creativity. Whether you're wrapping gifts, sipping eggnog, or just soaking in the festive vibes, this throwback interview will take you right to the heart of the holiday spirit.

Join DJ Soulswede as he sits down with the legendary supergroup Mint Condition to talk all things Christmas! Discovered by the iconic producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Mint Condition rose to fame with their unique blend of R&B, funk, rock and soul, delivering timeless hits like "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)" and "What Kind of Man Would I Be". With a career rooted in musical excellence and live instrumentation, they've become one of the most revered bands in R&B history.

In this exclusive holiday interview from 2015, the group reflects on their favorite Christmas traditions, cherished memories, and the music that inspires their festive season. Don't miss this soulful and seasonal conversation.

As the holiday season wraps us in its warm embrace, few voices capture the magic of Christmas quite like Howard Hewett. With a career spanning decades as a soulful singer and songwriter, Hewett's music has always brought joy, inspiration, and connection to listeners around the world. Known for his iconic voice as the lead singer of the Grammy-winning group Shalamar and his celebrated solo career, Howard now brings his signature sound to the holiday spirit.

In this special conversation, Howard Hewett shares his thoughts on what makes Christmas time so special, the traditions that bring him joy, and how music continues to play a vital role in the season of love and giving. So grab a warm cup of cocoa, sit back, and join us as we dive into the heart of Christmas with the one and only Howard Hewett.

In the world of R&B, few artists encapsulate the essence of soulful expression and lyrical depth like The Floacist. Renowned for her smooth vocals and empowering messages, she has made an indelible mark on the music scene, captivating audiences with her unique blend of poetry and melody. In this exclusive interview with DJ Soulswede, we dive deep into The Floacist's artistic journey, her creative process, and the inspirations behind her latest projects. Join us as we explore the heart and soul of an artist who continues to redefine the boundaries of R&B.