Blues and Soul Music Magazine

Issue 1101

Welcome To B&S

BRINGING YOU THE STORIES BEHIND MUSIC + ESSENTIAL NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS

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

Read more

Aswad's Angus 'Drummie' Gaye RIP Aswad's Angus 'Drummie' Gaye RIP Aswad's Angus 'Drummie' Gaye RIP Aswad's Angus 'Drummie' Gaye RIP

Drummie Zeb RIP

Drummie Zeb, lead vocalist of pioneering UK reggae icons Aswad, sadly passed away on the 2nd of September 2022, at the age of 62...

read more

Reggae Land 2022

Reggae Land Festival

A huge array of reggae talent will be on show at the Reggae Land Festival at the end of the month. Shaggy, Julian Marley, Black Uhuru and Chaka Demus and Pliers are just some of the names...

read more

Pigeon 1

The Inaugural Wellness Music Festival St Lucia 21-27/9/20

Expect the very best in wellness treatments and some fine live music featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater who needs no introduction from us! She is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, as well as a Tony Award-winning stage actress...

read more

Carroll Thompson interview @bluesandsoul.com Carroll Thompson interview @bluesandsoul.com Carroll Thompson interview @bluesandsoul.com Carroll Thompson interview @bluesandsoul.com - Photo David Corio

Carroll Thompson: A Lovers Rock Story

B&S' Dave Burke talks to Queen of Lovers Rock Carroll Thompson who celebrates the 40th Anniversary of her era defining album "Hopelessly In Love" which catapulted her to stardom 4 decades ago...

read more

Osibisa Blues & Soul interview Osibisa Blues & Soul interview Osibisa Blues & Soul interview Osibisa Blues & Soul interview

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...

read more

Koffee @bluesandsoul.com Koffee @bluesandsoul.com Koffee @bluesandsoul.com Koffee @bluesandsoul.com

Koffee: Cream of the crop

Pete Lewis interviews 18-year-old female Jamaican singjay Koffee around the release of her current, Walshy Fire-produced single “Throne” and soon-come debut EP “Rapture”...

read more

Chaka Demus & Pliers @bluesandsoul.com PHOTO: Hugh Wright Haw Chaka Demus & Pliers @bluesandsoul.com PHOTO: Hugh Wright Haw Chaka Demus & Pliers @bluesandsoul.com PHOTO: Hugh Wright Haw Chaka Demus & Pliers @bluesandsoul.com

Chaka Demus & Pliers: Still Floating Like A Butterfly

Pete Lewis interviews internationally-successful Jamaican reggae/dancehall duo Chaka Demus & Pliers, who this month undertake their first UK tour in over ten years...

read more

Sean Paul: Reggae Land, The National Bowl, Milton Keynes 7/8/23 REVIEW Protoje: Reggae Land, The National Bowl, Milton Keynes 7/8/23 REVIEW Barrington Levy: Reggae Land, The National Bowl, Milton Keynes 7/8/23 REVIEW Tippa Irie: Reggae Land, The National Bowl, Milton Keynes 7/8/23 REVIEW

Reggae Land: National Bowl, Milton Keynes 6/8/23 (DAY 2)

After a damp but very successful first day, Reggae Land's standout artist lineup turned up the heat on a glorious 2nd day of must-see Reggae action...

read more

Jay B McCauley Ft. The Trueheart Choir: Ayo (Unquantize) REVIEW

Jay B McCauley Ft. The Trueheart Choir: Ayo (inc. Mijangos & Col Lawton Remixes) Unquantize

"Ayo" is an infectious Afro House butt shaker, courtesy of Australian producer Jay B McCauley and Nigeria’s The Trueheart Choir. It feels good all over, with percussive beats, uplifting vocal chants and...

Videoread more

BSC1

Bahama Soul Club Feat. Tiago Saga: Till I Landed (Buyú Records)

Tuff reggae riddims ride high on this cool track. It’s sparse with tasteful wah wah guitar

read more

Juanita1

Juanita Euka: Nalingi Mobali Te

Some red hot Congolese inspired dance sounds seem to be expounding forth from this most colourful and vibrant artist. It's Infectious as it is joyous and fresh sounding too...

Videoread more

BSC1

Bahama Soul Club : Sun Dub Society

Their music has received critical acclaim for its infectious grooves, lush arrangements, and captivating performances and this one is no different.

read more

JG1

Joe Gibbs : DJ Album Collections 1977-1980

Disc 1 of the collection includes two classic 1977 albums from two influential figures in the reggae genre. One of them is Wade Brammer, also known as Trinity,

read more

Rrp1

Reggae Reggae Pipeline : Trojan Compilation

Featuring twelve tracks produced by the increasingly influential Alvin 'G.G.' Ranglin, the album showcases a mix of exceptional vocal, DJ, and instrumental tracks

read more

From Jazz Funk & Fusion To Acid Jazz

Join the B&S Mailing List

Blues and Soul on Twitter