Editorial STUFF
In this HUGE issue of B&S we have interviews with a galaxy of stars including AKON, SEAL, WYCLEF, Q-TIP, REEL PEOPLE AND DJ SEMTEX. As the twenty year anniverary of the death of icon SYLVESTER looms, Sharon Davis looks back at the man and the enigma... We have Absolutely top of the xmas tree competitions in the shape of 3xPAIRS OF JOHN LEGEND CONCERT TICKETS, SEAL; SOUL CD's, TRACY CHAPMAN CD's, R&B WINTER COLLECTION CD's which also contains the FIRST EVER R&B MIXED DVD by DJ SEMTEX and if that wasn't enough AN INTRODUCTION TO NORTHERN SOUL 4xCD box-set (now that's a prize) up for grabs. O' and did i mention you could spend New Years eve partying with NORMAN JAY... We report on the Jazz Event of the Year - JAZZ VOICE and Hip Hop event of the year - ROCK THE BELLS. We also have live reviews from BILL FRISELL, DAVID McALMONT AND DIONNE WARWICK... In our try before you buy hmv B&S christmas cracker selection page - we have BEYONCE, JOHN LEGEND, LEMAR and KANYE WEST'S concept album for you to listen to, and then purchase at rock bottom (VAT Reduced) prices. So go on, give it a Christmas click!!!! We bring you daily updated NEWS, REVIEWS and OPINION from the cream of music writing including our columnists - SOUL'S ANDY DAVIES and the JAZZ WORLD'S FINEST SNOWBOY who are at the ready to share the months news, reviews and opinion in their respective genres... You asked for it and we went on bended knee to get it (they are still sore) - With the return to our pages of B&S MOTOWN writing legend SHARON DAVIS who returned to Blues and Soul last month to write the MOTOWN TRACKING COLUMN that so many of you have missed - Just click on the left navigation to experience all things MOTOWN with Sharon. Don't forget to contact our columnists with stories, reviews and to let others know of gig news.B&S
WIN TICKETS TO Norman Jay's Good times NYE party at The Kentish Town Forum
Win tickets to the best place to spend new years eve - Norman Jay's Good Times at the Kentish Town Forum, guests including A-Skillz, Crazy P and inimitable Beardyman... We have two pairs of tickets up for grabs with Good Times albums for runners up..
Win John Legend tickets
John Legend has confirmed he playing three dates in March 2009 at three venues, where he will be performing hits from his recently released third studio album - Evolver. You can win a pair of tickets to each venue...
WIN Seal Soul album
Soul is the sixth album from the multiplatinum selling, Grammy-winning, critically acclaimed Seal and you can win a copy!
WIN R&B Collection
Win a copy of the number one ultimate 'R&B Collection' - for the biggest and best hits of the year with an exclusive DVD Video Mix by DJ Semtex
Akon: Free at last
At 7 - when he first moved to USA from his native Senegal - Aliaune ‘Akon’ Thiam couldn’t speak English. Now Album Freedom see's him as current world’s biggest-selling male black recording artist...
Seal: Soul to Soul
Lee Tyler sits down for a chat at London's Soho Hotel with grammy winner and all round superstar Seal. As Seal explains the concept of new album Seal; Soul - A collection of some of the most well known soul songs on the planet...
Lemar: GRADUATING WITH HONOURS
Since the release of his debut album 'Dedicated' five years ago, singer/songwriter Lemar has unquestionably emerged as the most successful black male UK soul artist of our time, with sales well in excess of two million.
SYLVESTER: Disco Diva
This month sees the 20th anniversary of the death of Disco legend Sylvester - A mirror ball who shone so, so bright and left his unique mark on the world. Sharon Davis remembers fondly the man, the women, the legend - Sylvester...
WYCLEF JEAN: Perfect Gentleman
With his involvement in UK MOTOROKRSTAR (which sees Motorola UK search to discover British talent), former Fugee rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean this month releases cheeky, new single, ‘Let Me Touch Your Button,’ featuring will.i.am
Q-TIP: On A Quest
Former 'A Tribe Called Quest' lead MC/producer Q-Tip this month releases his first album in nine years - the eagerly-awaited ‘The Renaissance’, the follow-up to his Gold-selling 1999 solo debut LP ‘Amplified...'
REEL PEOPLE: Real Pulling Power
Following the critical acclaim afforded to their February 2008-released, soulfully uplifting sophomore album ‘Seven Ways To Wonder’, London collective Reel People - this month follow through with a club-friendly 12-track remix edition...
Rock The Bells: Nas, EPMD, The Pharcyde & Supernatural Indigo o2 09/11/08
Was I looking forward to this one or what? After the initial confusion over whether this concert was gonna be in Birmingham and Manchester only and then ending up in London – Oh BTW Indigo o2, sort your s*#t out!
Jazz Voice: London Jazz Festival - Barbican 14/11/08
The London Jazz Festival got off to a roaring start with it’s century of jazz voice celebration featuring a whole galaxy of stars both british and transatlantic.
David McAlmont: The Jazz Cafe 16/11/08
Landing at the Jazz Café at part of the London Jazz festival for a much anticipated show. Fronting a delightfully chilled-out five piece band that provided a dreamy soul musical backdrop.