Editorial STUFF
In our end of year/ushering in 2022 issue, we bring you plenty of ‘best of’ charts, artists, tracks, albums and events which stood head and shoulders above the rest. And if that wasn’t enough, we also deliver our predictions for the year ahead. Our cover artist for this issue is immensely talented, AHI. We catch up with sublimely talented soul/r&b star Rahsaan Patterson. We also bring you interviews with not one but two elite DJs, DJ Huck Finn and ex-B&S staffer and DJ’ing lege Pete Tong. Kickstarting a brand new recurring feature, B&S’ Claire Tyler interviews Pete’s daughter Becky Tong and last, but by no means least, we interview renowned Texas-based genetic scientist (yes, you heard right) turned Southern rock and county soul singer/songwriter/keyboardist John Blangero A.K.A. Sun King Rising. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE… Live reviews include Wizkid at the O2 in Greenwich, The Average White Band at G Live in Guildford and Bugzy Malone at the Indigo @O2, billed as the artist’s last ever tour - we hope not... Charts include Bigger’s Best Of 2021 R&B Smoove Grooves. Stay bang up-to-date with what’s hot and trending in the worlds of soul, r&b and jazz-soul via the Hip List. There are hip-hop and rap bangers galore on the B&S Urban Hot Chart and Ben Lovett drops his 2021 Dance Top 5’s and continues to set the pace with his not to be missed Grooveyard Essentials Dance Chart... Duncan Payne’s regular feature the B&S Years travels back to 2001 and highlights many US artists who were making their mark in the world of black music. The B&S Years also features the best artists/tracks, albums and B&S Poll Winners in 2001... Columns this issue include Bigger’s Smoove Grooves (r&b), Ralph Tee’s Modern Soul Sessions, Richard Searling’s Runout Groove (northern soul), Ben Lovett’s Grooveyard (dance), Frank Elson’s Checkin’ It Out @Blackburn Oldies all-dayer (northern soul). Lastly, don’t forget to check out our Soulful Social page, where you can have your say! Find us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook (all @BluesandSoul) and listen to the latest B&S tracklists and charts via the Blues & Soul profile on Spotify. Let us know what you think of our efforts and we could be adding your comments to our next print issue! Till next time, Lee Tyler *Twitter @LeeTyler13 Spotify Profile: Blues & Soul #BlackLivesMatterB&S
Drummie Zeb RIP
Drummie Zeb, lead vocalist of pioneering UK reggae icons Aswad, sadly passed away on the 2nd of September 2022, at the age of 62...
Reggae Land Festival
A huge array of reggae talent will be on show at the Reggae Land Festival at the end of the month. Shaggy, Julian Marley, Black Uhuru and Chaka Demus and Pliers are just some of the names...
The Inaugural Wellness Music Festival St Lucia 21-27/9/20
Expect the very best in wellness treatments and some fine live music featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater who needs no introduction from us! She is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, as well as a Tony Award-winning stage actress...
Carroll Thompson: A Lovers Rock Story
B&S' Dave Burke talks to Queen of Lovers Rock Carroll Thompson who celebrates the 40th Anniversary of her era defining album "Hopelessly In Love" which catapulted her to stardom 4 decades ago...
Osibisa: The Pioneers Return
Assistant Editor Pete Lewis interviews Osibisa veteran bass-player/lead vocalist Gregg Kofi Brown around the release of the legendary Afro-Rock outfit’s eagerly-anticipated new album New Dawn...
Koffee: Cream of the crop
Pete Lewis interviews 18-year-old female Jamaican singjay Koffee around the release of her current, Walshy Fire-produced single “Throne” and soon-come debut EP “Rapture”...
Chaka Demus & Pliers: Still Floating Like A Butterfly
Pete Lewis interviews internationally-successful Jamaican reggae/dancehall duo Chaka Demus & Pliers, who this month undertake their first UK tour in over ten years...
Tems: Somerset House Summer Series, Strand, London 7/7/22
What better way to kick off the Somerset House Summer Series then with Nigerian Afrobeat star Tems, whose recent Glastonbury performance was one of the festival's biggest highlights...
Juanita Euka: Nalingi Mobali Te
Some red hot Congolese inspired dance sounds seem to be expounding forth from this most colourful and vibrant artist. It's Infectious as it is joyous and fresh sounding too...
The Wailers & Guests: One World One Prayer (Sony Music Latin)
The Wailers are back with a bang with their 1st single in over 25 years! Celebrating unity around the world in the shape of their vibey new release "One World, One Prayer" ft. Skip Marley, Farruko, Shaggy & Cedella Marley...
Chainska Brassika : Simple Things Ft Frank Harper
These sons of the two tone revolution have hooked up with actor Frank Harper ,best known for his "hard man" roles, such as "Billy Bright" in The Football Factory and "Dog" in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Soothsayers Meets Victor Rice & Friends Volume 1
There are many highlights too, the evocative 'Harry's way' is a case in point with its cross stick magic happening on the drums and its funk-inflected guitar skank really cuts the mustard...
Ragawerk: Ragawerk
Ragawerk really seduce you into their secret arcane world they are full of enticement and their sonic palette is wide
Sessa: Estrela Acesa (Mexican Summer)
There's something spellbinding about Sessa's seductive intensity. Simply, this sterling album is an expression of his love for the art form from a golden era, known as Bossa and Tropicália...