Editorial STUFF
A very warm welcome to our Autumn issue, summer maybe wiping its feet before hibernating for the winter, but we have an absolute scorcher on offer this issue - as usual, we have packed our pages to the rafters with the best talent on the planet as we bring you the genres you love along with news, reviews and interviews that set B&S aside from the rest… ISSUE 1034: Due to their popularity, we have decided to make it a hat-trick of double cover issues this year by offering yet another dream double this issue - in no particular order - One of the world’s most celebrated live bands/legendary purveyors of “Oakland Soul music”…ladies & gentlemen, I give you the mighty, Tower Of Power - who return to the UK to play a series of live dates this October for the first time in almost a decade. Our second cover has a VERY impressive ‘track record’, literally. John Morales is widely regarded as one of THE greatest remixers in history - his disco/soul remixes are the stuff of legend, and the best thing of all, he has a brand new remix album about to drop on December 1st. How do you follow that? Well, how about a Shalamar 35th Anniversary interview, or what about soul/R&B superstar and connoisseur’s choice, Eric Benét in conversation. Or maybe even a chat with the most popular pianist/bandleader in the UK, as Later…with Jools Holland celebrates it 25th Anniversary in style - we grab a few words with the man himself. Teach yourself how to read music the easy way, by casting your eyes over our interview catch up with exceptionally talented and uber cool R&B singer/songwriter Musiq Soulchild. If dance music tickles your taste buds, we have an interview with a DJ described as ‘the Keith Richards of dance music’, clubland’s ‘favourite disco playboy, DJ Harvey. And if you like that lot, then you’ll love our one to watch this issue… Canadian powerhouse signer, Elise LeGrow, who’s reworkings from the catalogue of legendary Chess Records, is a thing of absolute beauty. Also this issue…we go live with Ne-Yo at the Brixton Academy, Mica Paris’ pays (what would have been) a 100th birthday homage to the First Lady of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, at the brand new PizzaExpress venue in Holborn - if that wasn’t star-studded enough, (print issue only) we also take in the sites and sounds of Later…with Jools Holland at the Royal Albert Hall, as the flagship BBC 2 show celebrates its 25th anniversary... B&S’ man in the Northern Soul/Soul field, Frank Elson, checks out the goings on at the White Bull in Gisburn, Lancashire... Richard Searling looks at 1967, a pivotal year for Northern Soul…Follows the timeline of a year which was filled with key events that would go on to help shape a genre... The B&S top 500 all-time chart edges closer to its conclusion as we reveal numbers 114 to 77, artists this issue include; Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Tavares, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Percy Sledge, Bob Marley, Ike & Tina Turner, The Stylistics, The Chi-lites, Martha & The Vandellas, Phyllis Hyman and Commodores + many more. Last, and by no means least… B&S columnists [in our print issue only] Ralph Tee (Modern Soul), Richard Searling (Northern Soul), Jon Harrington (Blues) and Ben Lovett (Dance) air their essential news/views on the genres they love… we hope you will too! Until next time. Lee Tyler (Editor) @LeeTyler13 @BluesandSoulB&S
B&S Premiere: dbClifford 'Away'
It's another B&S first listen exclusive as multitalented B&S one to watch dbClifford drops radio/ear friendly and ever so catchy new tune "Away" on Smadhi Music...
John Morales: Always In The Mix
B&S' Karen Lawler interviews remixing great John Morales ahead of his 4th M+M volume. With over 40 years experience mixing legendary tunes from icons of Soul/Disco, there's a lot to talk about...
Tower Of Power: From the T.O.P
Pete Lewis interviews Tower Of Power co-founder/tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, as the legendary California-based purveyors of “Oakland soul” prepare for their October UK tour...
Dua Lipa: Success is Dua
B&S' Karen Lawler talks to Dua Lipa about her new self titled album, pressures around her heavy workload, continued chart topping success and her reaction when Annie Mac premiered her debut track...
Eric Benét: The Benét effect
B&S' Semper Azeez-Harris catches up with contemporary R&B/Neo-Soul hero Eric Benét as he discusses the release of his eponymous album, parenting, collabs and career longevity...
Shalamar: Friends Forever ('Friends' 35th Anniversary interview)
Pete Lewis interviews US soul-disco trio Shalamar who this month return to the UK for an extensive tour to mark the 35th Anniversary of their Platinum-selling album “Friends"...
Oli Lazarus: 15 Years Of Papa Records
As one of London's finest soulful labels, Papa Records, celebrates 15 glorious years of releasing great music. We look back at some of the highlight's with label boss Oli Lazarus...
Ginuwine, Dru Hill + 112 - 20th Anniversary Tour: Indigo, o2, London 5/10/17
Unsurprisingly the triple-bill of Ginuwine, Dru Hill and 112 sold out in next to no time, meaning a second night was quickly added and also showed that the R'n'B kings can still draw a crowd...
Emeli Sande: o2 Arena, London 18/10/17
The o2 Arena is a tough venue to play, and singers really need to be on-point, but Sande looked in her element throughout...
Georgie Fame & the Guy Barker Big Band: Ronnie Scott’s, London 5/10/17
Sold out premier London venue Ronnie Scott's were in for a treat as good time Georgie Fame swung through his ever impressive repertoire backed by one of the best big bands around...
Black Star: Troxy, London 20/10/17
The announcement of Mos Def and Talib Kweli's Black Star show in London is a big deal, posters branded it The Hip Hop Show of the Year...
Eric Benét: Electric Brixton, London 26/10/17
Appearances by neo-soul/R&B star Eric Benét are few and far between on these shores, so it was no surprise that Electric Brixton in south London was packed to the rafters...
Roots Manuva + Chali 2na: Troxy, London 27/10/17
His last album, "Bleeds", shows his skills haven't diminished with time and the south Londoner also showed he can draw a crowd, with the Troxy packed for his performance...
Jazz Voice (EFG London Jazz Festival Opening Gala): Royal Festival Hall 10/11/17
The EFG London Jazz Festival kicked off with tremendous panache/style as it celebrated it's 10th anniversary with real vim and vigour...