The new BBC Radio 2 jingle package

BBC Radio 2 went live Monday July 16th 2012 with their brand new jingle package from Wise Buddah. Months of work went into this package for the UK’s biggest radio station. The new jingle package marks Radio 2’s first major jingle refresh in close to 15 years!

This month’s Earshot Creative Review podcast with Steve Martin takes us through the new package in details. Steve is joined with Chris Reay of BBC Radio 2 as they talk about the package, play the cuts and drink some beer.

Watch the recording of Radio 2’s new jingles featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra, Beverley Knight, Clare Teal, Huey Morgan and Paul Jones here.

You can listen to the podcast below, and check back soon for more! Listen out for a montage of the full package at the end.

Almost 40 new jingles have been produced by Wise Buddah Jingles and Music Imaging, drawing on the talents of Fun Lovin’ Criminal Huey Morgan on guitar, blues legend Paul Jones on harmonica and vocals from jazz singer Clare Teal. UK soul queen Beverley Knight also lends her vocal talents to the new sounds.

It is the first time that presenters have been used in such a way and the first time in 14 years that jingles have been recorded on this scale, with over 100 musicians and singers contributing – including some of the UK’s leading session players such as Robbie McIntosh, Craig Blundell, John Parricelli, Ian Thomas and Jamie Talbot.

The Orchestral and Big Band sessions were recorded at the legendary Angel Studios in North London, under the supervision and baton of Musical Director Cliff Masterson, whose impressive credits in pop and classical music include Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis and Il Divo. Cliff will be working again with the BBC Concert Orchestra when he conducts Kylie Minogue’s set at the Proms in The Park in September.

Bob Shennan, Controller Radio 2 and 6 Music, said: “This is our most collaborative approach to jingle-making at Radio 2 to date and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to tap into the wealth of musical talent within our on-air line-up. I’m delighted that some of our presenters are part of the new sound of the station, alongside the amazingly versatile BBC Concert Orchestra, in a range of jingles that showcases the diversity of what Radio 2 has to offer.”