Editorial STUFF
Welcome to B&S online…Getting straight down to business, our cover star has adorned our coveted position many times before as a member of '80s pop/R&B phenomenon, Five Star. Now back with a first class album and proving she still has that magic touch, we are proud to have supremely talented Denise Pearson once again in pole position in this issue - welcome back Denise! …Other goodies include: As Incognito celebrate their 35th Anniversary, we talk in-depth to Bluey about the history, longevity and ever evolving nature of one of the UK's most endearing and enduring jazz-funk/acid jazz/soul/pop bands. They are already calling them the 'saviours of soul', St. Paul & the Broken Bones are about to take the world by storm and we nail an interview here first! Delivering one of the albums of the year, Blue Note's next contender to the throne, José James, talks determination and belief as he finally gets his message is delivered. Soulsational Lee Fields drops what could just be his career defining album and we are pleased to say we have a B&S interview to match. Back from the brink, former R&J Stone member Russell Oliver Stone talks candidly about his personal struggle with addiction after the loss of wife / singing partner Joanna at the pinnacle of their career …Jazz funk fusion pioneer Lonnie Liston Smith grants us an exclusive while dropping in on tour. As does Hollywood movie star and Blues journey man, Steven Segal, as he talks about his passion for the Blues and iconic artist encounters. More Blues exclusives include a rare chat with Coco Montoya, as a musical perfectionist he explains the difficulties of making THE perfect live album. Following that an interview with Royal Southern Brotherhood / one time member of The Meters, Cyril Neville, who explains about the journey / teething problems when forming a 'supergroup', to the perfect harmony their brotherhood enjoys today …As usual we comb the internet, hound the labels, attend live events and put the word out to bring you the lowdown on who will be making musical headlines in the not too distant future, this issue we earmark three quality acts for stardom…Tristan, a Dutch 6 piece, who as I write this have just made No.1 in the soul chart. Once called Young Rascals, now Rascals, these guys have not only grown up but so as their sound and ambition - set to dominate in the near future for sure. Lastly, and by no means least, Sound Of 2014 runner-up Ella Eyre makes her B&S debut - when you are runner-up to chart topping, tune shifting by the bucket load, uber-talented Sam Smith, you get the feelin' they'll be good times ahead for sure… Just time to mention our Twitter @BluesandSoul and our Facebook pages Blues And-Soul & Blues And-Soul II where you can follow the music and up-to-date news as it happens. Till next time! Lee Tyler (Editor)B&S
Prince announces two brand new albums
The Purple One has announced the release of not one, but two brand new albums on Warner Bros. Records – both due for release on 29th September…
Denise Pearson: Flying Solo
Pete Lewis meets former Five Star lead vocalist Denise Pearson, who this month releases her long-awaited, largely-self-written debut album “Imprint†and its soulful offshoot single “Free Fallâ€â€¦
Incognito: Always There
Pete Lewis reacquaints himself with Incognito founder/leader Jean-Paul “Bluey†Maunick, as the seasoned London-based jazz/funk/soul collective release their new, sixteenth studio album “Amplified Soulâ€
The Family Stone: Not Your Everyday People
Pete Lewis interviews Sly & The Family Stone founding-member and original drummer Greg Errico, as he prepares to visit the UK as part of the band’s current incarnation The Family Stone
Steven Seagal: Marshalling The Art
Hollywood movie legend Steven Seagal isn’t just an action hero on screen – he’s a respected blues guitarist, singer and songwriter too. Steven spoke to Simon Redley to preview his July UK tour…
Avery*Sunshine: Starlight express
Pete Lewis chats to acclaimed Atlanta, Georgia-based singer/songwriter/pianist Avery*Sunshine. Who this month releases her eagerly-anticipated sophomore album “The Sunroom†through Dome Records…
Tracy Hamlin: Seasoned Soul
Pete Lewis meets Baltimore, Maryland-born singer/songwriter Tracy Hamlin. Whose internationally-renowned “soul diva†vocals are currently being showcased on her new, musically-diverse fourth solo album “Homeâ€
Wireless Festival, London: 4/5/6 July 2014
West's set, while probably the most talked-about part of the festival, was far from being the highlight. That honour, for me, was firmly awarded to Outkast, who took to the main stage on Sunday…
Glastonbury Festival: 25th-29th June 2014
With electrical storms and rain in biblical proportions, not to mention plenty of glorious Glasto mud! This year was still one humdinger of a party, filled with a line-up which would take you 6 months to cover, never mind a lost weekend!
Jose James: Scala 7/7/14
With "While You Were Sleeping" garnishing critical acclaim from all and sundry, it was an opportune moment to catch the man of the moment in the flesh, so to speak, at London's iconic Scala venue…
Incognito 35th Anniversary: Shepherd's Bush Empire 12/7/14
THIRTY five years is a long time to stay at the top in the music industry. So it was little surprise there was a celebratory feeling at the Shepherds Bush Empire as Jazz / soul / funk collective Incognito celebrated their anniversary…
Fred Wesley: Pizza Express Jazz club, Soho, London 22/7/14
Nice to be back at the Pizza Express once more to catch the irrepressible Mr Fred Wesley, trombonist, composer / arranger / bandleader and author, known worldwide as one of the architects of funk music…
The Robert Cray Band: Birmingham Town Hall 5/5/14
Five time Grammy winner and 15 time nominee Robert Cray called in to Birmingham on his 40th anniversary European Tour, for a blisteringly soulful show according to Simon Redley....
Myles Sanko: Forever Dreaming (Légère Records)
Hot on the heels of his 2013 debut EP "Born In Black & White" comes UK soul's new tour de force, Myles Sanko. With deft mix of soul searching vocal and an authentic amalgamation of tight drums, base driven rhythm and..