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
Wycombe Jazz Festival
Catch22Jams teams up with Wycombe Arts Centre and HWBico to bring you the #Wycombe Jazz Festival on June 5th from noon-11.30 pm...
Jazz FM Awards 2021 and the nominees are...
After a 2 year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Jazz FM Awards are back! This year moving from Shoreditch Town Hall to West London venue, Under The Bridge on 28th October 2021...
Innervisions Festival Announces 2020 Lineup
London's Innervisions Festival, now in its 3rd year, is fast becoming a yearly must-attend. This year's mouthwatering lineup announcement is no different, with MAZE feat. Frankie Beverley performing...
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...
Jarrod Lawson: Going Back To The Future
Reinvigorated jazz-soul star Jarrod Lawson talks to B&S Editor Lee Tyler about his album "Be The Change", working with Moonchild and his thoughts on his "Blue-Eyed Soul Boy Jazz" moniker...
Gregory Porter: Return Of The Cool
Chaz Brooks talks to jazz superstar Gregory Porter about his latest album, ”All Rise". Also his fantasy band lineup, love for the UK, thoughts on lockdown, racism and writing a song about Jools Holland...
JUBE: Keep Rising!
Editor Lee Tyler talks to B&S one to watch and hotly-tipped jazz/soul/pop/funk act JUBE, who after 12-years in the making, have finally released their debut album As One Door Closes...
John Etheridge: Crazy Coqs London 28/1/23
I didn’t know what to expect as I had only heard John Etheridge playing on records with Soft Machine (1975 - 1978 period) so I was intrigued as to how he was going to play this...
Tristan Banks: View From Above
He’s an explosive drummer/composer and a great addition to Ubuntu's roster which includes the cream of UK jazz such as Quentin Collins, Brandon Allen, Andrew McCormack, Benjamin Croft and others...
Jhelisa: Oxygen
Jhelisa's new single "Oxygen" sounds like a condensed whole album! Plenty of vocal hooks keep her on track and the beautiful acoustic piano adds deep jazz sensibilities...
Tamil Rogeon: House No Wheels (Soul Bank Music)
New label Soul Bank Music, set up by former Freestyle frontman, Greg Boraman, gets off to a flyer with this striking and bewitching project. It's a multi-layered and beguiling slice of upbeat spiritual jazz...
Blue Moka: Enjoy
They exude fun on this jaunty jazz evergreen and its respects the mood of the song’s original intention. However, this is the lighter side of the group that digs deeper, producing an astounding cover of...
TIm Garland & Jason Rebello: Life To Life (Whirlwind)
Sax player Tim Garland and pianist Jason Rebello, two of the most respected jazz musicians here in the UK join forces as a full throttle dynamic duo and the results are mightily impressive.
David Dower Trio: Mravka
Dower is joined by his agile rhythm section comprising of Luke Fowler on bass and Matt Fisher on drums. This is the third album release from this dynamic trio...