Editorial STUFF
We have made it our mission to look out for some of THE hottest artists/bands on the planet and bring you unmissable stories by the score…so as we turn-up the heat up on another scintillating online/print issue, you are invited to get cozy and check out our current crop of interview sizzlers…First out of the blocks we have this issue's internationally renowned cover star, Sean Paul. An ever in demand artist who has had hit after hit all over the world and is at present enjoying more single/album chart success, it's a little wonder we jumped at the chance to add this superstar to our cover elite....How do you follow that? Well how about a behind the scenes chat at the 'Love Supreme' festival with Jazz icon in the making, Gregory Porter? Or an in-depth interview with one time member of Tamla (Motown) super group, The Isley Brothers - now highly in demand solo artist, Ronald Isley. While we are at it, why don't we get three members of legendary funk/disco/soul outfit Earth, Wind & Fire together so they can tell you all about their brand new authentic EW&F sounding album…and if that wasn't enough, we go stateside with rap hero Wale, get soul inspired with one of Atlanta's finest Heston, cross genres with jazz (err herm), sorry, soul flower Robin McKelle and have time for a chin-wag with super producer (largely responsible for Emeli Sande's recent phenomenal rise to stardom) and now having chart success in his own right, Naughty boy…I know, this much in a magazine, U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E…Next you'll be telling me that UB40 are here to tell us about their new reggae album full of country and western covers!…well I'm not falling for that one!...we really are pushing our luck as we squeeze in a spotlight on a star to look out for in 2014 (I know, already!) Joel Compass. Phew! ....Talking of the end of the year…we are already looking forward to bringing you our end of year special in November. We have lined-up some absolute cracking interviews from the best established artists out there, along with some fresh faces who we feel will be huge in 2014…see you then! Lee TylerB&S
2013 Grammy Nominations
Jay Z has impressed some very influential peeps - with no less than nine nominations in the 56th Grammy awards. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar and Justin Timberlake each get seven nods, while Drake has five nominations.
Police & Thieves Reggae Star Junior Murvin R.I.P.
Legendary reggae singer Junior Murvin - best known for the single 'Police and Thieves' – has died at the age of 64, although some news reports of his death give his age as 67. He was born in 1949.
Astro Quits UB40 For New Turf With Ali
Astro, one of the founder members of superstar reggae band UB40 has quit the band and joined former lead singer Ali Campbell's band.
Sean Paul: Gettin' Down n' Dutty
Pete Lewis reacquaints himself with Jamaican dancehall superstar Sean Paul, as the multi-million-selling international chart-topper prepares for the release of his sixth studio album “Full Frequencyâ€...
Gregory Porter: Rebirth of the Cool
B&S Editor Lee Tyler catches up with Jazz superstar Gregory Porter, backstage at this years inaugural Love Supreme Festival. With a new Blue Note backed album about to drop, there's plenty to talk about...
Earth, Wind & Fire: Open to the Elements
Pete Lewis chats to 90-million-selling funk/soul/jazz legends Earth, Wind & Fire, who this month return with a new studio album “Now, Then & Foreverâ€...
Naughty Boy: Naughty By Nature
Pete Lewis chats to Watford-raised Naughty Boy as the chart-topping, million-selling musician/producer/songwriter releases his debut concept album “Hotel Cabanaâ€
Wale: Young, Gifted & Rap
Pete Lewis reacquaints himself with critically-acclaimed Washington DC rapper Wale, who this month releases the single “LoveHate Thing†from his US Number One album “The Giftedâ€...
Gyptian: Lover’s Rock God
Determined not to fall prey to the ‘love god’ phenomenon associated with Jamaica’s leading lover’s rock icon Gyptian, I caught up with him at the Wembley Hilton in the midst of his promotional tour following the release of
Imagination: Flash forward
Pete Lewis meets up with flamboyant Imagination frontman Leee John, prior to the release this month of the 15-track compilation album “Flashback: The Very Best Of Imaginationâ€...
Ron Isley: The Names Isley
Ron really is a living legend and part of the fabric of soul and pop (ular) music. One of the Isley family dynasty, and with his brothers; part of the soundtrack to literally billions of people’s lives around the world...
UB40: Reggae Reggae Source
The album is a warm and affectionate tribute to country music, country artists and country music songwriters. I ask why country and not just another reggae album, lads?...
Jonny Lang: Here's Jonny...
When he picks up that Fender Telecaster guitar and grabs a mike; boy oh boy, he changes into a wild thing and plays and sings like he’s been doing it for eight decades...
The Newmastersounds, Bluesmix + DJ Corrina Greyson: Borderline, London 6/11/13
The New Mastersounds! Now in their 15th year and still going great guns. It's the fourth time I'd seen them and like fine wine they get better with age! The collective creativity and energy mustered was a wonder to behold…