Editorial STUFF

A FEW WORDS FROM THE EDITOR: ISSUE 1043... We have a superb double cover this issue with 2 huge acts which share a theme, which is their reputations for retro-infused music mastery. In no particular order, we have Cool Million celebrating their 10th anniversary with us - there’s a new album featuring, amongst others, the group’s long admired soul hero D Train. Our double issue is completed by the ridiculously talented r&b/soul artist and go-to producer for that authentic retro-soul sound, Raphael Saadiq. Saadiq’s new release, a break from the norm you could say, see’s his new album devoted entirely to his late brother Jimmy Lee. This slightly dark subject matter still has all the light moments you would expect from a Saadiq release and with songwriting and production are on-point as always. And How do you follow those artists? Well, how about soul royal P.P. Arnold who has combined with Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Cradock to release her first studio album in over 51 years! Amazing by any standards, P.P. gives us the full rundown on her new release “The Adventures Of…”. Next up, Tony Lindsay was Santana’s vocalist for over 20 years and now he has gone solo, we talk to the 11 times Grammy winner about his new album and what’s it like working with Carlos Santana. Australian authentic soul band The Teskey Brothers are about to make use waves on this side of the Atlantic and B&S is there to witness their first steps. This band has huge potential and a hugely talented lead singer who will make you fall in love with soul music all over again, Josh Teskey is that good! If you love dance music, then look no further… one of THE names in dance today is Rasmus Faber, a Swedish house producer who knows no boundaries and his new album is testimony to that statement, we talk to Faber about his new album and how he created his latest aural masterpiece. Talking of elite producers, we don’t just have one this issue, how about innovating US superstar house DJ/producer Ralphi Rosario. We get all info on his contribution to new album “Wake Up! Music Remixes DJ Wall Of Sound Volume 1-Matt Warren’s Music Is My Life” plus a candid insight into the career choices which helped shape his future in dance music, enthralling stuff! Our dance coverage doesn’t just stop there, we talk to DJ/station boss Danny Swallow A.K.A. DJ Master Pasha and his cohort Max Fernandez, together they form the formidable DJ’ing partnership Boys At Work, we hear about the return of on-point dance radio station Centreforce - it’s been 30 long years since the station graced the airwaves but boy is it back AND we are pleased to say, the whole station is smashing it! We bring you the whole Centreforce story, find out where they have been for 30 years and where they now plan to go! Duncan Payne delivers yet another unmissable slice of black music history via the Blues & Soul Years, this time travelling back to 1989 and the year of the funky dread, Soul II Soul made their mark not only on UK music scene but had their eyes fixed firmly on global domination. Chart wise, the iconic Hip List continues as THE go-to list for r&b and soul releases… we have gathered sales figures and up to the minute release lists from near and far to create a chart which is second to none. Other charts featured in this issue include the Smoove Groove R&B Chart, the Grooveyard Essential Dance Chart, Richard Searling lists his all-time Northern Soul “Best OF British” releases and to compliment The B&S Years we also feature best of charts and B&S poll winners from 1989. As usual, we have been ringside at a whole host of live events and we bring the best of those to you this issue, including Glastonbury (Somerset), Parklife (Manchester), OnBlackheath (Greenwich, London), Love Supreme Festival (Lewes, East Sussex), Malta Jazz Festival (Valetta) and B&S’ Frank Elson returns to one of his favourite venues, The Birdtrap in Lancashire.... Talking of B&S columnists… as well as Frank Elson sharing his thought on the Northern Soul scene, we have Richard Searling (Northern Soul), Ben Lovett (Dance), Bigger (R&B) and Ralph Tee (Modern Soul) all sharing their expertise and views on the genres we all love. There’s just time to mention a new page we have introduced this issue. We are consistently blown away by the comments from readers and artists regarding our efforts to bring you the best mag we possibly can so we thought we would share a few of those social posts with you. This will be a regular feature in each issue so if you want your comments featured in print, get posting! And you could see your comments featured in our next issue. All B&S social media tags are featured on this page so come and find us and let us know what you think. Till next time! Lee Tyler (Blues & Soul magazine Editor) Twitter/Insta: @LeeTyler13B&S