Editorial STUFF
Firstly, a few words on the passing of dear Whitney Houston... After the devastatingly sad loss of this iconic household name, myself and those who contribute to B&S would like to offer condolence to those who love her and respect Whitney as much as we do. Whitney Houston’s voice and her songs will live on forever, no matter how she chose to live her life in the end and I am quite sure she will continue to influence decades of new singers to come. She was an incredible talent, a troubled icon. But in the end; it is all about her music. That is what she should be remembered for. Her achievements, her attributes and her vivaciousness which lit any room she inhabited, will be sadly missed.... ****** ISSUE 1004****** ...You will notice a slightly different looking Blues & Soul magazine this month, as spring is coming, we thought we would have a bit of a spring clean and spruce-up our cover design while adding to our expert columnists… In this issue, and many issues to come, we have been graced with the talents of soulful house aficionados Bobby & Steve. Experts don't come more so, as Richard Searling gives us the full SP on the ever busy Northern Soul scene. We give a high-five to a stand-out Shortee Blitz hip-hip column. And last, but by no means least, it gives me the great pleasure to welcome back one time B&S assistant editor and now boss of Expansion Records/one Jazz FM's finest, Mr Ralph Tee. Welcome to you all. That takes the number of B&S columnists up to an unbelievable 10! I will not name you all because I will run out of space. But a HUGE thank you to all our ladies and gentlemen for helping B&S set the pace once more ...Artist interviews this issue include Labrinth, Estelle, Maverick Sabre, Speech Debelle, Dot Rotten, Sylenna Johnson, Lamar Thomas, Robert Glasper, Black Ivory and Michael Kiwianuka to name but a few ... we also celebrate 20 years with Dome Records and 40 with Philly International... top that with standout reviews, news and up to the minute comment on the musical genres you love and we think we have just about cracked it this issue! lol. In fact, we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Lee (ED)B&S
Disco Inferno Star Jimmy Ellis R.I.P. 1937 - 8th March 2012
James T Ellis, aka Jimmy Ellis, lead singer with US R'n'B act The Trammps, has passed away at the age of 74 from Alzheimer’s disease. The Trammps had a smash hit in 1976 with “Disco Inferno,” with the memorable...
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Bobby Womack to play Lovebox
Soul God Bobby Womack is due in for one UK show in June. The vocal and guitar legend plays the Lovebox 2012 Festival in London’s Victoria Park on 16th June. The festival staged on 15th – 17th June, an earlier than usual...
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Gregory Porter UK Tour news
Much talked about rising Jazz/soul-star Gregory Porter is due back for more UK concert dates in May, June and July. Fresh from a string of sell-out London gigs and his "masterpiece" 2nd CD release, "Be Good."
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Labrinth: Ready for the launch
Pete Lewis meets 22-year-old North London-based singer/songwriter/producer/musician Labrinth, who this month releases his hugely-anticipated, musically-eclectic debut album ‘Electronic Earth’
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Estelle: Stylish Moves
There is definitely something about the Estelle story that smacks of the fairy tale. After signing to John Legends label HomeSchool and releasing the single "American Boy", Estelle was catapulted to international stardom...
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Maverick Sabre: Maverick in the making
Pete Lewis chats to London-born, Irish-raised Maverick Sabre. Whose unique blend of hip hop-inspired, haunting vocals and soul/folk songwriting is currently being showcased on his debut album "Lonely Are The Brave"
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Speech Debelle: Speaking up
Speech Debelle is back with a brand new album has been three years since Speech won the Mercury Prize with "Speech Therapy" - she won the Mercury because people, and importantly the press, really loved the album.
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Dot Rotten: On The Dot
Pete Lewis hooks up with up-and-coming South London rapper/producer Dot Rotten, as the 23-year-old prepares to release his uncompromisingly confident new single ‘Are You Not Entertained?’
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Mohombi: By royal command
Pete Lewis interviews 25-year-old Congo-born, Swedish-raised pan-European hitmaker Mohombi - the first signing to world-conquering producer RedOne’s new label 2101 Records
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Sylenna Johnson - Underrated… What!
It seems strange that a lady who has had a multitude of Grammy nominations should be considered 'underrated' or as Syleena states “underestimated.” She is five albums deep and she has dropped some great cuts...
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Lamar Thomas: Soulful reflections
Pete Lewis talks to Pennsylvania-based veteran singer/songwriter/producer Lamar Thomas. Who - now in his 44th year in the business - has just released his soulful new album "Dry Water Wet Tears"
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Rebecca Ferguson: Royal Centre, Nottingham 27/02/12
The 2,000-strong audience cheered and clapped loudly. I think they would have reacted the same, even if she’d have forgotten the words and hummed for four minutes. But she didn’t. She gave us that voice. As it is on record...
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