Editorial STUFF
We get fresh this April as we show off our bumper crop of sweet up-to-the-minute interviews from some of the best talent in the universe! Our in-depth interview/cover this issue is retro R&B king RAPHAEL SAADIQ. We persuade CHIPMUNK to spill the beans on his new material. JONATHAN JEREMIAH on achieving a perfect mix of soulful folk, or is that folk filled soul? Anyway!? We use our IMAGINATION as SHARON DAVIS talks to LEEE JOHN ahead of BRIT FUNK @INDIGO.. It's then girl power all the way as ASA keeps a cool head whilst keeping us up-to-date on her busy schedule. We have mega talented girl group SOUNDGIRL vying for world dominance, and not one, but two female artists who are on their way to top - FEFE DOBSON AND ELISHA LA'VERNE talk the talk. We go live at the RESTLESS NATIVES - NAS & DAMIAN MARLEY concert, drop in at SMOOVE & TURRELL's live date and THE SOUL IMMIGRANTS show us how to bring the house down @JAZZ CAFE. It's business as usual for our resident musical experts as our columnist lend their own slant to their chosen genres. World renowned MOTOWN expert Sharon Davis gives you the latest MOTOWN happenings... The guv'nor Snowboy casts his eye over all things jazz... And be one step ahead with club news/essential dance tunes all care of Ben Lovett in his must-read GROOVEYARD. ...Just time to mention that you can follow the news behind the music and as it happens @TWITTER/BLUESANDSOUL + please feel free to follow us on FACEBOOK @BLUES AND SOUL II & like us @BLUES & SOUL - Till next time!;)B&S
Win a limited edition vinyl of Sara Mita's April Song album
Supremely talented Jazz vocalist Sara Mitra recently released album 'April Song' to great critical acclaim… Two lucky B&S readers will have the chance to win a limited edition vinyl copy of this album...
Win Signed Raphael Saadiq 'Stone Rollin' CD's
To celebrate the release of multi Grammy Award winner Raphael Saadiq's new album 'Stone Rollin' we are giving you the chance to win a signed CD from the man himself + an "unsigned" limited edition vinyl pressing...
Raphael Saadiq: Putting the cool in ol' skool
Oakland, California-born-and-raised singer/songwriter/producer Raphael Saadiq, discusses the Grammy-winning retro-soul man’s highly-anticipated 4th solo studio album "Stone Rollin'"...
Eric Benet: Perfect timing
Grammy-nominated soul singer/songwriter/producer Eric Benet reacquaints himself with Pete Lewis to discuss his latest, critically-acclaimed album ‘Lost In Time’, plus his eagerly-anticipated upcoming UK live dates
Dennis Coffey: The original guitar hero
Pete Lewis meets foundational Detroit soul and funk guitar legend Dennis Coffey, whose new, self-titled and fourteenth studio album surfaces this month featuring some interesting musical guests
Chipmunk: Back To Take The Title
Pete Lewis meets Platinum-selling, 20-year-old North London rapper Chipmunk. Whose appropriately-titled new second album ‘Transition’ is currently pioneered by its Keri Hilson-featuring single ‘In The Air’
Mann: It's a Mann's world
Pete Lewis meets West LA rapper/singer Mann. Whose infectious blend of hip hop swagger and pop melody is currently attaining breakthrough international success with the 50 Cent-featuring single ‘Buzzin’’
The Bullitts: Everybody be cool (Part 1)
B&S Editor Lee Tyler sits down with The Bullitts creator Jeymes Samuel, Jeymes gives the lowdown on working with a galaxy of stella talent + Lee also trys to get to the bottom of The Bullits story - good luck with that one!
Encore: Coming on strong
Pete Lewis hooks up with Island Records’ new UK male urban trio Encore. Whose punchy new single ‘The One’ combines robust dubstep beats and yearning R&B vocals with a strong melodic pop sensibility
Emeli Sande: Decisions, decisions
Songstress Emelie Sande is making a real name for herself by contributing to a lot of high profile tunes with some exceptional well known artists. So now must be a perfect time to release some solo material right? ...Or is it?!
Ny: Beyond grime
Singer Ny has managed to build a name for herself in the world of grime, but defying the common assumptions regarding the genre she has gone from selling her mix-tapes in the street to involvement with some pretty big names...
The Soul Immigrants: Jazz Cafe 18/03/11
The Soul Immigrants were in town so I couldn't wait to get to the Jazz Cafe to sample a slice of this funky sensation. With a reputation/credentials to match the very best, It was time to see what all the fuss was about...
G-Spot presents... 100 Club, London 2/4/11
Second time for me to cover a G-spot event in a month but it can't be helped Brit Soul Queen Contender Corrina Greyson puts the very best Soul&Funk bashes on in London and we at B&S like to get behind this gal's efforts...
Nas & Damian Marley: Manchester Apollo 02/04/11
Hip-Hop is nearly forty years old and judging by the audience of this show it’s still succeeding in doing what it did four decades ago; bringing people together who love music and blowing the roof off the joint. ..