Editorial STUFF
In our end of year/ushering in 2022 issue, we bring you plenty of ‘best of’ charts, artists, tracks, albums and events which stood head and shoulders above the rest. And if that wasn’t enough, we also deliver our predictions for the year ahead. Our cover artist for this issue is immensely talented, AHI. We catch up with sublimely talented soul/r&b star Rahsaan Patterson. We also bring you interviews with not one but two elite DJs, DJ Huck Finn and ex-B&S staffer and DJ’ing lege Pete Tong. Kickstarting a brand new recurring feature, B&S’ Claire Tyler interviews Pete’s daughter Becky Tong and last, but by no means least, we interview renowned Texas-based genetic scientist (yes, you heard right) turned Southern rock and county soul singer/songwriter/keyboardist John Blangero A.K.A. Sun King Rising. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE… Live reviews include Wizkid at the O2 in Greenwich, The Average White Band at G Live in Guildford and Bugzy Malone at the Indigo @O2, billed as the artist’s last ever tour - we hope not... Charts include Bigger’s Best Of 2021 R&B Smoove Grooves. Stay bang up-to-date with what’s hot and trending in the worlds of soul, r&b and jazz-soul via the Hip List. There are hip-hop and rap bangers galore on the B&S Urban Hot Chart and Ben Lovett drops his 2021 Dance Top 5’s and continues to set the pace with his not to be missed Grooveyard Essentials Dance Chart... Duncan Payne’s regular feature the B&S Years travels back to 2001 and highlights many US artists who were making their mark in the world of black music. The B&S Years also features the best artists/tracks, albums and B&S Poll Winners in 2001... Columns this issue include Bigger’s Smoove Grooves (r&b), Ralph Tee’s Modern Soul Sessions, Richard Searling’s Runout Groove (northern soul), Ben Lovett’s Grooveyard (dance), Frank Elson’s Checkin’ It Out @Blackburn Oldies all-dayer (northern soul). Lastly, don’t forget to check out our Soulful Social page, where you can have your say! Find us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook (all @BluesandSoul) and listen to the latest B&S tracklists and charts via the Blues & Soul profile on Spotify. Let us know what you think of our efforts and we could be adding your comments to our next print issue! Till next time, Lee Tyler *Twitter @LeeTyler13 Spotify Profile: Blues & Soul #BlackLivesMatterB&S
Southport Weekender festival - line up announced!
In what has been one of the most hotly anticipated line-up announcements since Jack built the house back in the 80s, The Southport Weekender festival finally told the World today what they have in store on June 10...
Splendour Festival Bags Grammy-Winner Jess Glynne For 2016 Headline Spot
Jess Glynne and UB40 among the big acts at this year's one day Splendour Festival near Nottingham on Saturday 23rd July.
Jess Glynne To Tour The UK
The unstoppable and monstrously talented Jess Glynne has announced a major UK tour for the Autumn. Following the announcement of her debut album ‘I Cry When I Laugh’ which will drop in August.
Pete Tong: Always Essential
Ben Lovett talks to UK DJ legend Pete Tong about his new EP, “Pete Tong + Friends: Ibiza Classics”, post-pandemic dance floors, climate change, daughter Becky and once working at Blues & Soul Magazine...
Hollis Parker: From New York with love…
B&S' Ben Lovett interviews hotly tipped enigmatic DJ-producer Hollis Parker about his career-changing move from New York to live in London and his recent sophomore album release “Newscapism”...
Thommy Davis: Take a bow...
B&S Editor Lee Tyler talks to one of the founding fathers of the Baltimore House, Thommy Davis, whose career credits over the last 40-years have made him a house and disco hero...
Smoove & Turrell: Sitting On Top Of The World
B&S Editor Lee Tyler interviews funk & soul's finest Smoove & Turrell about their new '90s dance-inspired/Ibiza chilled album, "Stratos Bleu" 3 single releases and keyboard surfing bandmate Mike Porter...
Akasha: The Bell Inn Bath 4/2/23
The atmosphere in the Bell was electric and it’s good to see this fantastic pub thriving due partly to it being bought by the community for the community...
Diephuis & Aeres: Desert Sky (Diephuis Records)
"Desert Sky" is the musical fruits of the exciting new pairing of Dutch artists, Diephuis and Aeres. Enchanting and hypnotic, "Desert Sky" leans towards the more electronic side of afro/Latin house...
Todd Terry & Steve Mac: Jumpin (Keep On Jumpin Steve Mac Edit) Freeze Records
Just when you thought the hugely popular Todd Terry classics "Jumpin" and "Keep On Jumpin" were unlikely to be remixed ever again, along comes top UK dance producer Steve Mac...
Nightclubbing: Funky Magnetic & Del Blake (Imagenes)
This brazen interpretation known by most for its Iggy Pop original featured in the movie “Trainspotting” is re-envisioned by dance producers Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel A.K.A. Funky Magnetic...
Aurora 5: Ibiza Chill Vol.1 (Paul Moran Productions Ltd)
Offering something a little different, Aurora 5 is his classy new lounge project, which sees Paul draw on his jazzier roots, crafting a dreamy artist album aptly titled, Ibiza Chill Vol.1...
NuNorthern Soul 10th Anniversary Box Set: Various Artists (NuNorthern Soul)
Phil Cooper’s NuNorthern Soul label has been providing blissful, sun-kissed audio hugs for 10 years. Not to be mistaken as a Northern Soul music label, but one that has a lot of soul...
DJ Spen: Eye Of The Storm - Remix Album (Quantize Recordings)
DJ Spen’s highly acclaimed “album" "Soulful Storm" gets a gigantic make-over from some huge names on the soulful scene and nicely repackaged as "Eye Of the Storm" (Remix Album)...