"Captain Barkey, born in 1962 in Hyson Green, is a DJ best known for his time at the pirate station Heatwave. As a pupil at Ellis Guildford school in Basford, Barkey was introduced to music through his brothers who were involved with the V-Rocket and Quantro sound systems. Barkey chose Quantro, the underdog, which went on to dominate the scene.
In 1988, the Heatwave station began on 87.9 FM, and after returning from Jamaica, Barkey joined the line-up, going on to spend eleven successful years at the station, playing reggae and dancehall. Barkey fondly remembers the hugely popular Christmas dances at the Marcus Garvey centre, the only place to be on Christmas night. When a rival pirate station folded after two police raids, Heatwave kept a running tally as a badge of honour, being raided every other week but always finding some way to stay on the air. The station is still remembered for its dedication to the music, and the knowledge of DJs like Captain Barkey.
His favourite artists include Michael Rose; Barrington Levi, who "sings like a canary"; Winston "Burning Spear" Rodney, whose voice introduced Barkey to acapella, and Culture's Joseph Hill, with whom Barkey toured.
He rates Brigadier Jerry of the Jah Love sound system as his all time favourite DJ, and a real inspiration. Says Barkey, "No one can beat him". He could DJ, "From now 'til tomorrow this time".
Of newer names, Barkey picks out Kemet's own DJ One Step, for his Rodigan-like preparation.
97.5 Kemet FM owes a debt to stations like Heatwave, figures like Captain Barkey and the trail-blazing role they played, breaking down barriers for radio and for the community."