Editorial STUFF
We have THE best star studded interviews on the planet in this issue of B&S online as well as introducing you to some tasty talent for 2012. Our cover starlet is indeed one of those names we think you'll be hearing a lot more about in this coming year, the beautifully gifted LANNE LA HAVAS. We also have interviews from, deep breath; Mary J.BLIGE, KELLY ROWLAND, LEDISI, LALAH HATHAWAY, THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES, T-PAIN, FOURPLAY, REBECCA FERGUSON, BUDDY GRECO, MATT SCHOFIELD, NILE RODGERS, RACHEL CLAUDIO, VINTAGE TROUBLE, DEEP STREET SOUL, MARK de CLIVE-LOWE, JOHN MAYALL and ROY AYERS...PHEW! ...We bring you live reviews from Us3, THE SOUL IMMIGRANTS, CHARLES BRADLEY, BEVERLEY KNIGHT, ELECTRIC EMPIRE, GWEN McCRAE, JILL SCOTT and OMAR + also we have a live review from the opening night of the London Jazz Festival, as The Barbican plays host to the uniquely individual JAZZ VOICE event. We herald the inclusion of B&S' first ever BLUES COLUMN, with SIMON REDLEY'S BLUESVILLE and also welcome the talents of DJ/soulmusic.co.uk boss STEVE PLUMB, with his VINTAGE SOUL COLUMN. While we're on the subject of first class columnists, we have to mention our other famous five, who are all chomping at the bit to bring you news & views in their chosen genres; SNOWBOY (Jazz/Funk), SHARON DAVIS (Motown), FRANK ELSON (Northern Soul), BEN LOVETT (House & Dance) and of course BIGGER (R'n'B/Soul)... Just enough time to mention our end of year print issue of B&S - this is packed with end of year extras and charts, so don't miss it! Link to buy directly from our shop is to be found on site. Till next time. Lee Tyler (Editor)B&S
T-Pain: The Pleasure Principle
Double-Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/rapper/producer T-Pain returns with his long-awaited fourth album "rEVOLVEr" and with recent tune "5'Oclock" featuring Lily Allen does the business chart-wise, this can only mean one thing -
Rebecca Ferguson: Soulful reflections
Known nationwide for her authentically-soulful vocals, saw her finish runner-up in the 2010 series of UK TV talent show ‘The X-Factor’, singer/songwriter Rebecca Ferguson this month releases her highly-anticipated debut album Heaven
Lianne La Havas: This Years Must Havas
Some say Lianne La Havas is the next Erykah Badou. A more soulful version of Amy Winehouse perhaps. I don’t agree. She ain’t the next anybody… She is the first Lianne La Havas. A sensation, and she’s one of ours.
Vintage Trouble: Here Comes Trouble
The band’s debut CD title; “The Bomb Shelter Sessions,†seems quite apt. Their live shows are like an incendiary device, setting fire to venues they are filling across the UK... New LA hotshots Vintage Trouble are on a mission...
Fourplay: The Dream Team
Jazz supergroup Fourplay boasts a quartet of some of the most accomplished musicians on the planet. As an ensemble, they have clocked up 20 years, Grammy-nominations and million-selling records from a dozen albums...
Gamble & Huff: That Philly feelin'
Pete Lewis meets Kenny Gamble - one half of the legendary Philadelphia songwriting/production duo Gamble & Huff, who are currently celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their equally-iconic Philadelphia International label...
Inner City: Back To The City….
Kevin ‘Reese’ Saunderson is in London to discuss his return with wife Ann and fellow singer-songwriter Paris Grey as legendary club collective Inner City. It’s a dreary, drizzling autumnal day, reminding him of 1988...
Deep Street Soul: Deeper than deep
Deep Street Soul are; Sol Loco, Papa 'J' Hunter, Matt 'MG' Green and Queen of the Hammond Monique 'Mon Cherie' Boggia. I was lucky to catch, in my opinion, their incredible drummer Agostino 'Soul Loco' Soldati for
DJ Muggs: Hip Hop Vs Dubstep
There are legends and there are immortal underground legends to a hip hop geek: Cypress Hill‘s cult status elevates them over and above the confines of the rap genre with such an unique sound, and universal subject matter...
John Mayall: We've Got Mayall
Without John Mayall, we’d perhaps not have discovered many of the great blues guitarists of our time. Still going strong at 78, John invites Simon Redley into his dressing room for a fascinating chat...
Murk: Miami Spice
The return of Murk is impeccably timed. For Miami’s bittersweet house duo have re-entered the club just as it finds its feet with the kind of smart, dark dancefloor music with which they first made their name over 20 years ago...
Ken Lewis: Producing the goods
Ken Lewis' CV is a rich tapestry of some of the biggest artists and it just keeps on growing: Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Usher, Mary J. Blige are the tip of a massive iceberg of work...
Dobie Gray R.I.P - 26th June 1940 - 6th December 2011
Soul legend Dobie Gray has sadly gone to the big gig in the sky, after losing his battle with cancer. He died at his home in Nashville on Tuesday 6th December, aged 71-years-old. He’d had cancer for some time, but kept the news private...
Hubert Sumlin R.I.P November 16, 1931 – December 4, 2011
Legendary blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin has died of heart failure, aged 80. An influence on many guitar greats including Keith Richards, who paid Sumlin’s medical bills in his later years...
