Editorial STUFF
The heat is definitely on as we bring you a scorching summer issue packed with star studded interviews, stella events and typical B&S comment from our team of well respected tastemakers via their not to be missed columns.... We start proceedings by warmly welcoming back über talented songstress, Lianne La Havas, who first graced our pages back in Dec 2011 (issue 1003) with what proved to be her very first cover interview anywhere in the world! (Weâ��ve just formed a circle in the office and are patting ourselves on the back!) A lot has happened since our last interview, including her much publicised friendship with Prince and a trip of self discovery which ignited new relations with some age old family ties, this in turn has helped to spawn her new biographical album, â��Blood.â�� (line) Get it? Good!...We follow that with an interview from another insanely talented soulicious maiden of song, Joss Stone is loving being independently expressive and releases a reggae tinged affairâ�¦brave you say, well thatâ��s our Joss! Lunchmoney Lewis has a worldwide hit on his hands, as mega catchy â��Billsâ�� has been striking a musical / financial cord with tune buyers everywhere. Heâ��s still got that â��Jack the Lad Swingâ�� as Aston Merrygold gives us the lowdown on going solo...True greats remembered: Jazz first, as a â��newâ�� Miles Davis release is highlighted and we say a fond farewell to late Blues icon BB Kingâ�¦ Now it wouldnâ��t be B&S if we didnâ��t introduce some frrrresh talent into the mix, artists who we feel will be HUGE in the weeks and months to comeâ�¦ Hip Hop heroes in the making, Krept & Konan explain how laid-back making their debut album proved to be. Singapore Jazz newbeeâ��s â��The Steve McQueensâ�� on being discovered by Bluey and Northern power house Lauren Housely takes soul / blues and a sneaky pinch of country, mixes it together and ices a debut album with a huge helping of passionâ�¦ The cherry on this issue is supplied by our expert columnists, who are waiting to enthuse about their given genres, we also have live reviews, album / single reviews AND we even give you a chance to win signed â��Selmaâ�� posters and Blu-rays + a chance to catch Dâ��Angelo in concert! Not bad hah? Come on you lot, up and form that circle again! Till next time. Lee TylerB&S
BluesFest at the O2 November 6th-8th
This year's BluesFest goes up a gear to the O2 this november featuring Tedeschi Trucks & Van Morrison and loads more besides, kicking off with a blues and soul evening with Mica Paris,Lisa Stansfield and Imelda May ....
Crusaders sax star & Motown first call bassist Wilton Felder R.I.P.
Crusaders sax star & Motown first call bassist Wilton Felder has passed away at the age of 75. Best known as a founder member and sax star of the jazz rock fusion band The Crusaders. But Wilton was also an in-demand bassist...
Lianne La Havas: Revolutions
With a 120 date world tour now in the bag, a recent trip to meet distant relations in Jamaica / to find herself, which in turn has inspired new album "Blood" - B&S' Editor Lee Tyler asks all the right question to Lianne La Havas....
Krept & Konan: Special K & K
B&S' Karen Lawler chats to South London's hip hop dynamic duo, Krept & Konan, who give us the low-down on their highly anticipated album, “Long Way Home," which drops this month...
Joss Stone: Liquid refreshment
Pete Lewis speaks to 14-million-selling Grammy and BRIT Award-winning UK soul songstress Joss Stone. Who this month releases her eagerly-anticipated seventh album “Water For Your Soulâ€
Joyce Sims: Simply Joyce
B&S' Karen Lawler talks to one of the most recognisable voices in R&B/dance, US singer/songwriter/musician Joyce Sims is back with a new album "Love Song" on her own label and plenty to talk about...
Aston Merrygold: All the right moves
Pete Lewis meets chart-topping singer/songwriter/dancer Aston Merrygold, as the former JLS man prepares to release his debut solo single “Get Stupid†and album “Show Stopperâ€
Lauren Housely: Soul instincts
We grab a chat with the immensely talented independent Yorkshire soul songstress, Lauren Housely. With new album “Sweet Surrender†about to drop, there's plenty for our one to watch to talk about...
Par-Lé: Speaking volumes
As multi-instrumentalists Miles James and Alex Bonfanti have worked with the best, now formed as a dynamic soul / funk duo, B&S' Karen Lawler asks the guys to par-lé about their brand new E.P. "The Light Years"...
David Zowie: We can be House Heroes
It's House Every Weekend for David Zowie, and a dance exclusive every issue for B&S...and this issue is no different as we nab a chat with the man himself just before as he hits #1 in the dance chart...
Marcia Griffiths & Friends: Shepherd's Bush Empire 28/08/15
This epic reggae bill boasted performances from Richie Spice, Bob Andy, Judy Mowatt, Tanya Stephens, The 809 Band and of course the Queen of this genre, Marcia Griffiths...
Martha Reeves: Brooklyn Bowl, London 3/9/15
Martha Reeves oozes class. From the moment she appeared on stage, the Motown hitmaker was in scintillating form and it showed Reeves is still an act worth seeing...
The QCBA Quartet: Brilliant Corners, London 22/09/15
The cream of london's Jazz scene and in fact the UK gathered for a storming gig in trendy downtown Dalston......read on!
Jurassic 5: Forum, Kentish Town, London 10/9/15
The show boasted the original line-up of Chali 2na, Akil, Mark 7, Soup, DJ Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist - all the MC's are charismatic, and Charli 2na was the perfect anchor...