Editorial STUFF
In this HUGE edition of B&S online we have interviews with FLO RIDA, ASHER ROTH, INDIA.AIRE, SHENA, TAH-MAC and LARRY MCDONALD. Sharon Davis remembers the 10th anniversary and the sad passing of the one and only DUSTY SPRINGFIELD. Our one to watch this month is the highly talented Zaire - don't say we didn't tell you so!... We have top-notch competitions in the shape of FLO RIDA signed CD's and concert tickets. Also you could win RAPHAEL SAADIQ, BRANDY, CAMEO AND FATBACK BAND tickets right here on B&S. It's taken a while to get him here, but ELVIS has entered Praed Towers - yes ELVIS 'I BELIEVE - THE GOSPEL MASTERS' 4xcd box-set could be yours. If that wasn't enough, we have our regular columnists waiting in the wings SHARON DAVIS 'MOTOWN TRACKING' AND Jazz guv'nr SNOWBOY with 'THE SNOWBOY COLUMN' - B&S gems not to be missed. And last, but by no means least our reviewers have been busy at ALICE RUSSELL, FLO RIDA, CANDI STATON, BRANDY, CAMEO, ANTHONTY HAMILTON, ASHER ROTH and RAPHAEL SAADIQ concerts. So why go anywhere else?! Happy reading!B&S
VIOLA WILLS: 1939-2009
We first met at an exclusive champagne reception in one of London’s finest nightclubs during the time when she was enjoying the aftermath of her first major British hit “Gonna Get Along Without You Now†in 1979...
Island Records 50th Birthday celebrations
Happy birthday Island!... To celebrate this landmark birthday the iconic label that is Island records have laid on a series of concerts (one per night) at London's 02 Shepherds Bush Empire coming complete with stunning line-up...
K'Naan Tuesday May 26 @Cargo + fancy an open mic Spot?
What are you doing next Tuesday???... Do yourself a favour and get down to London's Cargo to catch rap-star showman K'Naan in action. After selling out the Jazz cafe and Cargo in 2006 he's back for an eagerly awaited return.
FLO RIDA: Let it Ride
Grammy-nominated Flo Rida may have only just scored his first UK Number One single (‘Right Round’) & Top Five album (‘R.O.O.T.S.’). Nevertheless, this Florida resident has quietly been toiling away for over a decade
Brandy: Still Intoxicating
Multi-Platinum-selling, Grammy-winning R&B/pop music superstar Brandy - whose worldwide album sales exceed an impressive 25 million - this week performs a rare, one-off UK show at London’s IndigO2.
INDIA.AIRE: Sweet, Sweet Soul Music
Grammy-winning singer/songwriter India.Aire reveals to Pete Lewis why she feels her latest album - ‘Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics’ - represents her finest work to date and the truth behind her leaving Motown.
Shena: The Time Is Now
Pete Lewis discovers why Berkshire-raised Shena - one of dance music’s most in-demand featured vocalists - now feels the need to go it alone with her soon-come soulful debut LP ‘One Man Woman’.
Tah- Mac: On the road to success
Brooklyn-born-and-raised MC/producer Tah Mac celebrates the release of his debut album, granting Pete Lewis a warm ‘Welcome To Tahland’ over afternoon drinks at Chelsea Harbour.
LARRY McDONALD: Talk about roots
Pete Lewis speaks to Jamaican master percussionist Larry McDonald, who this year crowns a trailblazing 50-year career with - incredibly - his first-ever solo album ‘Drumquestra’.
Zarif: Z is for Soul
Hailed as one of British soul’s big new hopes for 2009 - and even described in some quarters as “Winehouse with Madonna’s pop flairâ€! Zarif enjoys a breezy introductory chat with ‘B&S’ at Sony H.Q
Brandy: Indig02 07/05/09
BRANDY’S CHARM PROVES TO BE QUITE INTOXICATING... As Brandy herself has pointed out it has been some 4 years since she last performed in England, and the R n B landscape looks a little different since then.
Raphael Saadiq: Indig02 27/04/09
This man has collaborated with a list of artists longer than a plane ticket from London to California, and to the enthusiasm of fans, myself included, he was in the capital during his European tour to delight and excite.
CAMEO: Indig02 18/04/2009
Kool Larry and the gang were back in old london town tonight, and I felt very lucky and excited to be picked to review this, there is a god after all!
Anthony Hamilton: Indig02 02/04/09
Neo-soul superstar Anthony Hamilton rocks a brimming Indig02 during his European tour giving a personal, touching performance and affirming why he’s still the best in the business.
