Editorial STUFF

Issue 1026 brings you the best of the past, present and future as we feature soul diva Natasha Watts in an illuminating cover interview. No one has worked harder to carve out their career than this artist, Watts gives a candid insight into the highs and lows which have ultimately shaped this consummate / gutsy professional. This issue includes a further plethora of stars from across the black music spectrum, including; (deep breath) Retro soul infused Mayer Hawthorne, Jazz superstars in the making Snarky Puppy, Quality soul diva Regina Belle, One third of funk / soul / R&B's finest - Shalamar's Jeffrey Daniel, Uber cool jazz starlet Esperanza Spalding, Blues’ Queen Bonnie Raitt, Band leader / conger player / DJ / writer and Latin-American guv'nor Snowboy, One of the year’s global hit makers with the track “7 Years” Lukas Graham, Northern Soul dancing queen Levanna McLean, Cult compilation “Future Disco” curator Sean Brosnan and this issue’s one to watch KStewart - watch her go! (phew!) We continue our countdown of the top 500 B&S chart singles of all time with; Chic, Bill Withers, Odyssey, The Platters, The Isley Bros, The 4 Tops, Teddy Pendergrass, Booker T. & the MG’s, Level 42, Shalamar and Diana Ross among other greats. There’s more chart action by way of Bigger’s Smoove Grooves R&B chart, Richard Searling’s Northern Soul Big Beat Ballads, Ben Lovett’s House / EDM Essentials Chart and our up front (get them while they’re) Hot chart. Album reviews this issue include: Alessia Cara, Bill Laurance, Kano, Kareem Shabazz, Robin Mckellen, (Jonnie Taylor’s daughter) Tasha Taylor, Joe Bonamassa, Brother Strut, Brendan Reilly, Charles Bradley, Willie Johnson, Horseshoe Gang, Jeff Healey, Kev Beadle, Ina Forsman and Deep Street Soul + album reviews, singles and artist mentions come by the bucket load from our esteemed columnists; Bigger, Ralph Tee, Richard Searling, Frank Elson, Ben Lovett and Simon Redley.B&S