Editorial STUFF

Welcome to this online issue of Blues & Soul magazine…First up we have our stunning cover star Rebecca Ferguson, Rebecca is an artist we have endorsed at B&S from day one, I am also glad we can back that endorsement with her first (I'm sure of many) B&S cover. Her first album penned, as is her new album, by her own fair hand, steadily picked up momentum / attention as this ex-X-Factor contestant seemed to find the terrain around the release of her first album slightly rocky. Now with full testament to the character of this determined diva, she is back with a great sound and another set of quality tunes…now as Rebecca steadily picks up more and more devoted fans / pandits on both sides of the Atlantic, it's just a matter of time before Rebecca hits the superstar status she deserves. How do you follow that? Well how about…Mary J. Blige pops in to wish us a happy festive season, equipped with her new Christmas infused long player. Beverley Knight talks Whitney Houston and the challenge of performing nightly in London's West End, as she makes her acting debut in the "Bodyguard." Blues' god Joe Bonamassa grants B&S an exclusive (and v rare) back stage interview, as we go ringside for his "Tour De Force" shows. Gabrielle is back! After taking time away from the music scene, Gabrielle answers her calling with a welcome return to the scene. Ever in demeaned percussion princess Sheila E on why her new album has taken so long to deliver and what it was like working with the purple perfectionist, AKA Prince. There's some Bluey language from Tony Momrelle, as he talks Incognito and delivering a quality EP + we introduce 7 artist who we believe will make it big in 2014, watch this space…I have just enough time to mention our esteemed columnists, who have also looked back at a mainly fine year for the genres they enthuse about - they too have picked a few movers and shakers who they feel will be lighting up 2014. Lee Tyler (Editor)B&S