Editorial STUFF
B&S 1051: In our print issue, we bring you a deft blend of modern music heroes, yesterday's legends and tomorrow’s icons today. Our cover this issue we welcome back global godfathers of afro-rock, Osibisa, as they celebrate being the first release on the brand new Marquee record label and also marking 50 years since they became the first-ever African band to play the iconic venue of the same name. How do you follow those legends? Well, how about with another one! Tragically, the soul music world recently lost The Supreme’s icon, Mary Wilson. In this issue, we feature an in-depth 2009 interview with the Motown royal, which has previously never been added to our pages, as we pay our respects to the estimated 50 million record selling, music record-breaking founder member of all-female supergroup, The Supremes, along with fellow Motown soul stars, Diana Ross and Cindy Birdsong. Other must-read interviews this issue include top Belfast electronic music production/DJ duo, Bicep. Grammy-nominated US soul/r&b singer, musician, bandleader, television personality and this issue’s One To Watch, Jon Batiste. Singer-songwriter, record producer and pioneer of Italian soul music, Al Castellana. Ever busy American DJ, producer and record executive DJ Spen. Multi-talented US r&b/soul singer, actor, writer, producer and recently Sam Cooke playing showman, Bradd Marquis. Damn-fine Dutch jazz, funk & soul five-piece Tristan, who boast brand new frontwomen, Jaycilee. Last, but by no means least, independent smooth-jazz rooted US Christian singer-songwriter, Heistheartist. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE… We welcome back Duncan Payne’s highly engrossing look back at the history of black music through the pages of Blues & Soul magazine in his not to be missed regular feature the B&S Years. In this issue 1981 comes under the spotlight with comment on the music tastes of that year, Best Of charts and the year’s Readers Poll winners. Duncan provides yet more must-read entertainment with part one of his 50th Anniversary celebrating Philadelphia International Records retrospective. Charts include B&S Upfront Urban Chart, Ben Lovett's Grooveyard Essentials Dance Chart, Bigger's R&B filled Smoove Grooves Chart, THE coolest r&b/soul must-have list on the planet A.K.A. the Hip List and Richard Searling’s Soul Party playlist. B&S columnists: Ralph Tee delivers all the latest release news low-down in the world of soul music, Ben Lovett highlights essential dance tracks and news, Bigger’s finger on the pulse up-front column reveals who's trending in the world of r&b, Richard Searling presents the latest northern soul happenings and news and Frank Elson takes a look back at issue 120 and his October 1973 Checking Out The North column. Lastly, don’t forget to check out our Soulful Social pages, where you can have your say! Find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (all @BluesandSoul) and let us know what you think and we could be adding your comments to our next print issue! Till then, stay safe and get the jab! Lee Tyler (Editor) Insta/Twitter @LeeTyler13 #BlackLivesMatterB&S
Love Supreme Jazz Festival announce 2022 headliner Erykah Badu
One of the coolest festivals in the world just got cooler as Love Supreme Jazz Festival announce multi-Grammy-winning neo-soul Queen, Erykah Badu, as their Saturday headliner on 2nd July 2022....
Osibisa: The Pioneers Return
Assistant Editor Pete Lewis interviews Osibisa veteran bass-player/lead vocalist Gregg Kofi Brown around the release of the legendary Afro-Rock outfit’s eagerly-anticipated new album New Dawn...
Jon Batiste: And All That Jazz
Jon Batiste, an Emmy winning multi-faceted jazz artist, who possesses an innate ability to hip-hop, skip and jump genre at will but still create his own brand of natural jazz with a deeply soul-infused vocal...
Mannix Ft. Fiona Barbier: Memories Of The Past (inc. Da Lukas & Andrea Curato Mixes) Dafia
Mannix brings his trusted signature disco peppered groove, complete with lush strings and a funky bass hook wrapped in Fiona’s emotive reflections about a past love...
DJ Spen & Soulfuledge: Goin Home (To See My Savior) (Kerri Chandler Vocal Mix) Quantize
Quantize Recordings unleash a superb remix from the mighty Kerri Chandler, who works his magic on DJ Spen & Soulfuledge’s "Goin Home (To See My Savior)"...
Joe Ventura: Patrick Cowley Was Here (BIG Speaker Music)
The single pays homage to Patrick Cowley, who created the epic remix of Donna Summer’s Disco smash, "I Feel Love" and comes served with a platter of lush melodies, a dreamy vocal hook...
Nile Rodges & Chic: Hampton Court Palace Festival, Hampton Court, Surrey 22/8/21
For anyone in need of an uplifting evening, soul/funk/disco icons Nile Rodgers and Chic are the perfect tonic, and the courtyard of the historic castle at Hampton Court Palace is the perfect venue for it...
All Points East: Victoria Park, London 27/8/21
This four-day event has established itself as one of the go-to festivals in London. This year featured Jorja Smith, Mahalia, Enny, Celeste, Kojey Radical, Omah Lay, Sons of Kemet and Loyle Carner...
Yam Carnival: Clapham Common, London 28//8/21
In an ideal world, 2021 would see Yam Carnival grace London for the second time. Unfortunately, the pandemic had other ideas and the inaugural show last year was among the many casualties last summer...
South Facing Fest: Dizzee Rascal, Ghetts, Alicai Harley, Flohio... @Crystal Palace, London 14/8/21
Following the two excellent Cross The Tracks shows the previous weekend, this week the South Facing Festival was headlined by grime pioneer Dizzee Rascal performing with The Outlook Orchestra...
Worldwide FM 5th Birthday - South Facing: Crystal Palace Bowl, London 15/8/21
My fourth visit of the summer to Crystal Palace Bowl was for the Worldwide FM day, bring together a range of top-quality talent including The Cinematic Orchestra, The Comet Is Coming, KOKOROKO +more!
Brooklyn Funk Essentials: Jazz Cafe London 10/10/21
Across a career that stretches 25 years, Brooklyn Funk Essentials have established themselves as a unique project fusing soul, hip hop, ragga, spoken word, jazz and, of course, da funk!
Gregory Porter: Royal Albert Hall, London 14/10/21
The sight of a 32-strong City of London Symphonia behind US jazz royal Gregory Porter on the Royal Albert Hall stage raised the audience’s anticipation level to max...
Craig Charles, Ria Currie, The King Rooster + Urban Allstars: Boatyard, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex 29/10/21
The great thing about Craig Charles is that he presides over a genuine shared experience and he knows instinctively how to read a room...