Editorial STUFF

As we usher out the expiring year with our customary comment on the movers and shakers who contributed to the previous packed 12 months of quality music, we also run our eye over the artists who we feel will be THE contenders of tomorrow - proclaiming them as artists who are 'set to trend', as we are sure they will be! ...Talking of which, we are as pleased as punch to have dynamite R&B / Soul duo Nico and Vinz grace our cover this issue, after tracking their progress pre their massive hit, �Am I Wrong�, it�s great to see these two musical marvels enjoying the fruits of their industrious labour. We look forward to hopefully welcoming them back to our top spot on many occasions in the future.... How do you follow that? Well, how about with one of THE coolest actors on the planet�Star of TV�s Luther and a great many Hollywood blockbusters to boot, Idris Elba drops by to talk about his intriguing �Mii Mandela� project, which brought together a plethora of stars / friends to record an intriguing musical thank you from the actor, who has just finished playing the late South African leader Nelson Mandela, to the people of South Africa. Next up is R&B vocal harmony legends Boyz II Men, who celebrate a brand new album with a slightly different (some say fresh, as do we) direction being taken by this fine threesome... We then concentrate our efforts totally on our stars of tomorrow, as we bring you hot talent by the score in the shape of; JP Cooper, Veronica & the Red Wine Serenaders, (Vanessa William�s uber talented daughter) Lion Babe, Rag N Bone Man, Blue 6, Kieran Alleyne, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis AND special congratulations go out to George The Poet and Years & Years, both have made the short list for the Critic�s choice award and the long list (at time of going to print) for the Sound Of 2015 - both feature in our print issue + partially online and I'm really pleased because I do get a vote in the latter, I�m glad my rallying cries of support for both acts have been heard! Good luck to all artists selected, but especially ours! ...Here�s to another fantastic year in music, catch you in Feb 2015! Lee TylerB&S