Editorial STUFF
IN THIS ISSUE: Firstly, congratulations go to Jarrod Lawson on his worldwide cover debut. A multi genre encompassing artist who has virtually come out of nowhere to be one of the most well received / hotly tipped artists of the last 18 months. His story is stuff of inspiration and his determination, mixed with his ability, shines through in his music ~ definitely a star of tomorrow, who we have the pleasure of presenting to you today... We have an unmissable interview with 11 times Grammy winning singer / songwriter / producer / musician / entrepreneur, Babyface. We follow that with a true R&B great, US singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Brian McKnight. Hip hop hooray! DJ/producer/tastemaker Charlie Sloth is in the house - probably the hardest working man in hip hop, talks candidly about his early years discovering and then trying to get a foothold in is genre of choice - plus the decisions which have lead him to become the force he is today...There’s plenty of new talent on show this issue, with recent chart toppers WSTRN dropping by for an in-depth chat and fellow B&S breaker / 2016 tip for mainstream greatness, Izzy Bizu, is in interview action too... We head to Northern Ireland to review an intimate Van Morrison show, Bognor Regis on the south coast to check out the talent appearing at the Butlin’s Soul Weekender and just have time to squeeze in Big Daddy Kane’s immense performance at premier London venue, the Jazz Cafe. There’s A LOT more, including our esteemed Columnists and cracking competitions, but I want to leave a few surprises! See you bright and early next year! Lee Tyler - @LeeTyler13 | @BluesandSoulB&S
Jarrod Lawson: Something like a phenomenon… Maybe!
Soul sensation Jarrod Lawson sits down with B&S Editor Lee Tyler for a in-depth interview around the last 18 months of touring, releasing new music and gaining a reputation for being one of the fastest emerging stars in his genre...
Babyface: Baby Love
B&S' assistant Editor Pete Lewis interviews 11-times Grammy-winning singer / songwriter / producer Babyface, who releases his tenth studio album “Return Of The Tender Lover”...
Brian McKnight: Life Of Brian
B&S' Pete Lewis interviews 25-million-selling US R&B singer / songwriter / producer Brian McKnight, who this month releases his eagerly-anticipated thirteenth studio album “Better”...
WSTRN: The WSTRN way
Hot from placing 5th in the BBC's Sound Of 2016, WSTRN touchdown at B&S HQ with killer tunes, banging vibes and bags of talent - if debut track "IN2" is anything to go by, we'll all be IN2 this act as this year unfolds...
Charlie Sloth: Charlie said...
B&S' Karen Lawler talks to one of the hardest working and most respected DJ / presenter / producers's in the business, Charlie Sloth. As he recounts his journey from humble beginnings to dizzy hip hop heights...
James Taylor Quartet: Chorus of approval
Mixing his trademark funky grooves with 34 voice Rochester Cathedral choir, James Taylor, discusses the making of and the almost impossible time scale in which his vision became a reality...
MYA: Sitting pretty
B&S' Semper Azeez-Harris catches up with singer / songwriter / philanthropist / trainer / manager / actress and 90's RnB sensation Mya. With a fresh album out, it's definitely a case of what's next...
Bejamin Clementine: The Church of St John-at-Hackney 7/12/2015
Mercury Prize Winner picks an unusual venue to unleash his laudatory talent with extraordinary impact...
Fred Wesley's Generations: The Hideaway London 16/01/2016
It was collard greens and ham night with Wesley serving grits and gravy too,this time he wasn't giving up food for funk!
Brooklyn Funk Essentials : Ronnie Scotts 21/01/2016
Have you had your essentials yet? They've more variety than a Kelloggs mini 12 pack!
Dr Lonnie Smith: Ronnie Scott's 24/02/2016
One of the last great Hammond Heroes left standing.The stylishly good doctor certainly did not disappoint dispensing his medicine majestically...
Normanton Street and Portmanteau: The Hootananny, Brixton, London 17/03/2015
The entire show vibrated with a masterful balance of lean, sinewy bass, earthy jazzy guitar and velvet seduction that ushered in the audiences’ collective appreciation...
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!
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires: Forum Kentish Town 30/3/16
It seemed fitting that the Screaming Eagle of Soul, Charles Bradley, performed his latest show at a venue where the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, played one of his last UK dates...