Soul Survivors Issue 29 (April/May 2011)

the info provider for the soul survivor ISSUE ISSUE 29 29 April/May April/May 2011 2011

THE THE

WHISPERS SATURDAY SATURDAY 14 14 MAY MAY 2011 2011 indigO2 indigO2 at at The The O2 O2 www.ticketmaster.co.uk www.ticketmaster.co.uk

interviews interviews with EDDIE AMOO (Real (Real Thing Thing ALEX LOWES (Southport) (Southport)

LES SPAINE

and and regular regular features features

Dear Fellow Soul Survivors

WHAT’S INSIDE? 4 Fitzroy talks to EDDIE AMOO (of the Chants/The Real Thing) 10 DARRELL’S FUNK BOX Welcome to Issue 29 wh ere we have focused a little on our friends in the North of the country 12 Fitzroy chats to . It is so easy to think tha t Northern Soul is just about the North and any thin g else started in London, ALEX LOWES those assumptions can but how wrong be. The Soul Scene as we know it today has been influenced by arti (of Southport) sts, DJs, promoters and punters world over many decade s, so would it really be righ from all over the 14 SOUL SNIPPETS this country was respon t to say any part of sible for the start of it?

We have three separate 16 JUMP START - WORDS interviews from people who have bee n influenced and, in turn influenced others from , the North/North East/W

by Ginger Tony est, which I hope you wil find as facsinating as I did l .

18 Raph Parkingson talks to In addition to putting this issue togeth er, we have been frantica working on our Soul Sur DJ LES SPAINE lly vivors Awards night for the Summer and hoping to get everything finalise d for this issue but that wa 19 SS NOMINATION PAGE afraid. We sn’t meant to be I am can get started on Nomin ations though, so we’d you would turn to Page 20 SS MERCHANDISE be grateful if 19 to complete yours and return to us by the 10th June. If you also let us have your email addres 21 BACK ISSUES s we will keep you up to date with development s. We have some great artists lined up for the 22 MEMBERSHIP night, along with some surprises too, so we hop e to see you there.

We have run out of spa 23 RECORD REVIEWS ce this month for compet itions in the mag. but have some Whispers tick ets, 28 OUT OF THE BOX prizes to give away, so see Mellow Mellow CD’s and other exciting the emails for informatio n on how you can win them. (Either register on with Marcia Carr the website or forward your email details to info@thesoulsurvivors.co 30 EVENT REVIEWS .uk).

As we were just about to go to print we heard of 34 READERS CHARTS the sad passing of Salsoul songstress Loleat ta Holloway. In addtion to this the Soul world lost the fantastic Slave bas 35 PHOTOS s player Mark ‘The Hanso both rest in peace. lor’ Adams; may they 36 WHAT’S GOIN’ ON? Anna & Fitzroy 39 SOUL RADIO The Soul Survivors Thank you to all those who have contributed by sending in adverts, reviews, photos, articles, listings and emails; we can’t do this without you.

CUT OFF DATE FO R THE June/July 2011 issu e is 9th May 2011

The Soul Survivors PRINTED BY SCARBUTTS All adverts are placed in good faith and The Soul Survivors take no responsibility for any issues arising from the use of those who have advertised. All dates are correct at time of going to print - please check with venue or promoter if unsure.

All rights reserved 2008 Copyright The Soul Survivors Magazine

PO Box 377, West Malling, ME6 9DQ 01732 844246 For adverts, events and reviews contact Anna anna@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk or 07939 248983 facebook.com/AnnaMarshallSoulSurvivors twitter.com/SoulSurvivors1 http://uk.linkedin.com/in/annamarshall1 Record reviews and interviews contact Fitzroy fitzroy@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk or 07956 312931 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk www.myspace.com/thesoulsurvivorsmag You can also find our group and page on Facebook!

Fitzroy talks to

Eddie Amoo of The Chants & The Real Thing

Ray, Eddie, Dave & Chris at Stanhope St, L8 I’m assuming because of your surname, it’s of African origin, how did you and your family experience life growing up in the Liverpool 8 Toxteth community in your early years of the 1950‘s and 1960’s?

My dad was from Ghana and growing up in a poor working class area like Toxteth was tough but happy. To be honest it was so multicultural that I didn’t even become aware of racial differences till we moved out of L8 when I was 11. I got a bit of a rude awakening when we moved to Myrtle Gardens, (L7) as we were the first black family to move in; kids of that peer age can be very cruel. But once we were established and accepted I was happy there.

What musical artists were an inspiration to you as a youngster?

My earliest musical influences were The Doo Wop groups like Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers and the R&B sounds of Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Fats Domino and Little Richard. I was also into the early Rock’n’Roll of Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent and the Early Elvis and gradually outgrew the latter guys.

The diverse mixture of JLS, Damage, Boyzone, Take That and Westlife boy bands unknowingly owe a lot to possibly the UK’s first young teenage trail blazers, The Chant’s. As an all black accapella vocal group you received an invite via Paul McCartney to audition for the Beatles at The Cavern in 1962 where you majorly impressed them. That night the Beatles backed you as a band where you performed to a full house of screaming girls. How was that performing on the same platform as the famous “Fab Four”?

This was the “seminal” night of my young life, and shaped me forever. When we walked off stage at the Cavern that night we all knew that this was our way out of the streets.

I saw some footage of you guys looking slick, clean cut and handsome singing I Could Write A Book effortlessly. I was taken aback in that your singing dialect was English as opposed to the traditional American. Being honest you truly were the epitome of Britain’s Got Talent back then. I understand you had a hand in writing some of the songs. What age were you?

04 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

I was around 12 years old and one of the first things I learnt from watching and performing with the Beatles was that their main strength was their song writing ability. This set them apart from the rest of the bands as well as them being damn good. So I decided to see if I could write songs even though I had no musical ability. I would make up melodies in my head, write words and sing them to The Chants. They were based on models of songs I liked (The Four Seasons) Walk Like A Man. I wrote a song “I Don’t Care“ based on the same type of The Four Seasons harmonies. In the recording studio we got lucky because our first producer, Tony Hatch, then added the chords and rhythm that really suited the song, in fact it became the band’s first single.

We did “I Could Write a Book” which was Tony Hatch’s clever arrangement of the Frank Sinatra version from the movie “Pal Joey”, which turned out great. “I Don’t Care” was so full of raw energy though that our label Pye decided to go with it and so my song writing career was born.

The group signed to Pye and worked closely with renowned producer and Crossroads TV theme composer Tony Hatch. It’s evident however that the UK infrastructure was not ready for a totally black act. Having heard Chant recordings like One Star,

I Could Write A Book and Baby I Don’t Need Your Love, it beggars belief that purely on talent alone you didn’t get further sooner. Looking back, was it the group’s naivety that raw talent would override the race issue or a perceived fear of rivaling the Beatles, or both, that happened then?

We were offered a great management deal by promoter Ted Ross from Manchester. Ted invited us to turn professional and give up our day jobs, so you can imagine how that felt. Yes we thought naively that we were on the way to stardom, especially when we got the Pye record deal and with Tony Hatch producing. The fact was though that we had come a long way in a short distance on luck alone and being honest were The Chants really ready to succeed (the race issue aside) had “I Don’t Care” or “I Could Write A Book” really taken off? Yes it is a fact that the “Biz” in the UK wasn’t ready for our type of act.

The Chants continued touring for over ten years where you nurtured your songwriting and musical skills further. From around 1972 how did your younger brother Chris’ group, The Sophisticated Soul Brothers, with some guidance from yourself, start to gain momentum?

Well the SS Brothers developed slowly and around 1973 Chris started to emerge as a lead singer. I was going through some stuff on the piano at our mother’s house in Englefield Green in L8 when I heard this powerful voice coming from behind me. Realising it was Chris I was astonished at how he’d developed as a singer. I realised instantly that the SS brothers had what the Chants had always lacked, a distinct sound that a “special lead voice” provides. The Chants featured 5 guys with great voices and harmonies without unfortunately that “killer distinct lead”. It was only a matter of time before someone who mattered would pick up on this, in this case that person was Tony Hall.

There’s an interesting story I read re the name change later from Vocal Perfection to The Real Thing by the group’s mentor

by Ex Radio Luxembourg DJ Tony Hall prior to eventually winning Hughie Green’s Opportunity Knocks outright. Can you highlight on the name change story?

The name change came when the group were en route to do “Opportunity Knocks”. Tony knew the name didn’t ring too well and he noticed a Coca Cola sign (real thing) which he felt aptly described the group’s sound.

Although you had previously written the socially conscious Vicious Circle prior to it becoming the Real Thing’s first single on Bell, it was your brother Chris who played your demos to Tony Hall. Tony was impressed and secured its release and invited you to take part in the recording sessions. At what point did you join the group and what led to the departure of Edward Ankra and Kenny Davis?

Chris played my song Vicious Circle to Tony Hall which became the first Real Thing single, followed by “Plastic Man”, “Daddy Dear” and “Humpy Dumpty” all written by myself. Tony played a huge part in developing my songwriting, which led of course to my partnership with Chris.

Eventually after joining the band Kenny and Edward left because they couldn’t keep pace with the progress the group were making. A five singer line up throws back to the “Doo Wop” groups era which had become too top heavy.

With an appearance with Plastic Man on Top Of The Pops and a gradual growth in popularity working with David Essex, the group also endured an early hard knock experience.

Negotiations failed in securing the group’s original vocals laid

down for Jeff Wayne’s successful War Of The World that later became a massive hit for Justin Heywood. How did you cope with that major opportunity crashing against a brick wall?

The answer is pretty simple, when we did the vocals on the W O T Worlds album, we were still an unknown struggling band, albeit a band making waves. Then suddenly You To Me was released and we were a hot property. Pye records wanted a higher price than Jeff’s company was willing to pay, as you can imagine we were too excited and over the moon to grasp what we were losing. So there was no big disappointment and it didn’t sink in for a long time what we had lost - but that’s show biz.

Before I ask about the two most successful cuts off the album, you ironically end up back on Pye records co-writing with your brother Chris the majority of the first album The Real Thing.

What was the edge you had to practically write your first album, as I imagine not many acts breaking through on an established label could achieve that, especially not being a conventional act?

To be honest we had already written the songs and were just waiting for the door to open so we were more than ready to come up with our first album when we “took off”.

I was 12 in 1976 and remember feeling a sense of pride seeing you guys an all black male act on the TV and hearing on the radio You To Me Are Everything and Can’t Get By Without You written by Ken Gold and Mickey Denne. They were contagious anthems then and still are today. How did the group respond when you first heard or sang You to Me which was perfectly suited to Chris’s lead voice and the groups harmonies?

In actual fact Chris was in London when Ken came in with U 2 Me; he played it to me over the phone and our first reaction was that maybe it was a big departure from songs like Ghetto and Liverpool 8 etc. But we also realised that we needed to open the door and yes those songs were made for Chris’s voice and the sound of the group.

Stanley House was a social gathering venue in Toxeth where the young and old Black community congregated to drink, dance and play sports socially in the early 60’s. Fast forward 10 or so years on to the mid 1970's, The Real Thing were now spoken in the same breath as Merseyside commodities like Bill Shankley’s footballing reds and comedians Jimmy Tarbuck and Tom O’Connor. How was the community support with your music being exposed by local Liverpool DJ’s like Les Spaine and Greg Wilson in underground black music and commercial clubs?

Les Spain and ourselves go back a long way and we have truly done the journey down that highway of success in different ways. Les was a great sounding board for us in his DJ spot at the “Timepiece” which was Liverpool’s premier soul club in the 70s.

Though there were several underground UK soul outfits FBI, Gonzales, Cymande and even Sweet Sensation who endured a shorter commercial appeal similar to yourself, The Real Thing were flying the flag solo for an all black/predominantly black group. Hot Chocolate were seemingly more accepted as a multicultural crossover success, but there’s no escaping the resistance element and racism blatant or subtle. You’d have faced this in and out of the music industry between the 60‘s and 70‘s with the changing face of Britain. So how did you and the rest of the group view and deal with getting the musical balance and compromises needed to make things work?

www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

05

This is how we see it, Britain is a white country and its biggest crossover will always be the rock based bands or the “blue eyed boy bands”, that is fact and cannot be altered. This is the reason many talented black bands like “Loose Ends” have not prevailed and gone on to achieve what they should have. Therefore once you succeed in getting your audience the trick is to hold on to it while retaining your creative integrity. Sadly I see a lot of bands who have arrived but just going around earning their money and not trying to advance themselves with the power of their show. You cannot do anything about the subtle racism of show biz and the media but our show is our direct link to our audience and that’s where we make our stand. When we walk out there on stage, be it an arena, theatre or club, we always give it our all. So the people who actually dig us are not disappointed and will keep coming back. To summarise, you cannot fight the racism that subtly closes doors to you and denies your credibility for what you have achieved, but you can make the best of what you have got.

Despite the success of your first album The Real Thing and the huge marketing campaign for The 4 from 8 album, it appears 4 From 8 was not as well received commercially. David Essex had advised you that the fans may shy away from your writing of the social conscious issues. I’m personally glad you did it, as from a UK Afro Caribbean perspective it coincided with what the African Americans were already doing. The Liverpool 8 Melody is the epicenter of the album concept and must have been of the upmost importance to document this knowing the risk. Can you tell us why and is there any truth that record company pressure made you change the title from it’s original name Liverpool 8, the neighborhood you grew up in?

Well it is true that David Essex told us that although he was happy that we had finally broken through, his was the tiny whisper of caution in the “heady winds of excitement and emotion” we were experiencing. We were at No 1 in the charts with seemingly everything to play for... however he was proved correct. I honestly do not remember any conflict over the 4 from 8 album’s title other than the fact that 4 from 8 was a catchy title. It’s also true that the record company were willing to take a gamble on us capturing a more serious market. With hindsight Ken Gold should have produced the album because as The Force album proved we were a good partnership. I will say this for the record, my first “socially conscious” song was released by “The Chants” in 65 called “Man Without A Face”. I got to play it to Curtis Mayfield and he was knocked out but said “Man that’s too heavy”. This record was produced by Tony Hiller who gave me my first publishing deal; he went on to manage and produce Brotherhood Of Man!!! Yeah I know that is weird, but nevertheless Tony for some reason felt that “Man Without A Face” had potential. Here is a snapshot of the lyrics “I saw the writing on the wall, the big bold letters preached hate and yesterday a man I’d never saw walked up and spat right in my face”.

Thank you for the penultimate Children Of The Ghetto which has that unique eerie and definitive Black Afro Caribbean soul jazz meets reggae influenced military drum rhythm template.

This sound was later embraced and showcased on early Hi Tension, Light Of The World and Incognito albums. I also hear some War, Curtis Mayfield and EWF connotations and how ironic that EWF’s Philip Bailey’s tailor-made voice covered it as well as saxophonist extraordinaire Courtney Pine? Although lyrically it’s obviously in your own words, but what is the inspiration behind that monumental track?

06 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Curtis Mayfield’s influence played a large role in the creating of “Children Of The Ghetto” I was absolutely knocked out with his “Superfly” sound track. I loved the mood of “Little Child, Running Wild” and this inspired me to writing songs relating to my own experience of growing up in a “ghetto”. I’d already dipped my toes in the water with “Man Without A Face” many years before. Chris and I wanted the same type of mood Curtis created in the movie soundtrack of that sombre mournful air of a car driving slowly through the streets as people mourned the death of Freddie. Our drummer Nigel Martinez came up with the haunting drum intro on “Ghetto” which set the feel for the song. We added the jazzy riffed middle 8 at a rehearsal, and we laid it down in the studio almost live, along with the other 2 songs in the trilogy, Liverpool 8 and Stanhope Street. Pete Nelson’s piano solo in Ghetto still gives me “chills” as does the guitar licks and slides of Vic Lynton. I think “Ghetto” really captured what we had tried for so long to project and it really brought us a lot of media attention. I wasn’t surprised when in 1985 it was covered by Courtney Pine. In case you’re wondering about Philip Bailey’s version, that happened like this... In 1985 I was messing around with Ghetto and came up with a completely different cord structure and by now drum machines had started to kick in. I also got an idea for a Reggae type feel and I got together with Chris and we came up with an arrangement that was completely different from the original. We went in and recorded it once again with Nigel, Vic and Pete and we really felt we had taken the song to another level. Our record company, however, had previously been burnt once and were unwilling to try again. But once again our luck kicked in as Chris and I had just done a version of Phil Collins song “This must be love” as a separate project with Paul Buckmaster producing it, released as a Chris Amoo single, but nothing happened. Phil Collins was hired to produce Philip Bailey’s album “Chinese Wall” and heard our new version of “Ghetto”. Phil played it to Phillip Bailey who was knocked out with the song and decided to record it on his album. Then in the same year Courtney Pine covered the original version and Mary J Blige’s version on her Live In La Albums is great as well.

How did you guys end up performing Lets Go Disco in the Joan Collins flick The Stud?

I had an idea this question would rear its ugly head. We got a call from Tony Hall that Biddu who wanted to try writing some songs with us, which we thought was rather odd.

Anyway we got a call to say Biddu had a track that he wanted us to throw some vocals on so we went to his studio and he played the track to us.

We felt the track was ok but we didn’t like the tune or lyrics, however as it took an hour or so to do our vocals we didn’t see the harm in doing it, thinking it was never going to see the light of day. We then got a call from Tony Hall advising that the track was going to be featured in a huge Joan Collins movie and they wanted to cash in. The record company were considering “Disco” as a single if we were guaranteed a spot in the movie performing the song. We were mortified but as we had dipped our feet in very muddy waters we couldn’t get out of this so we had to see it through ....I think the phase “the less said the better works here”!

Was there any concept link to Star Wars in writing the top 5 hit Can You Feel The Force, a massive continued breakthrough for the group?

I had this idea for a song called “Get the message” and me and Chris were knocking it about and trying a few things. I went to see Star Wars and straight away I got a buzz for a possible hook with the force in it. We sat down and we built it around that phrase line “There’s a mood going around the world today ...Can you feel the force”.

You had a few revamps of You To Me And Can’t Get By remixed

by Froggy and Simon Harris in 1986 as well as Love Is Such A Wonderful Thing being sampled by The Freeloaders for So Much Love To Give. Apart from gaining some royalties how did you feel about them?

Quite clearly the Froggy mix of U 2 me and its success was a huge break and led to us being one of the highest selling bands of that year as we followed up with “Can’t get by” and Force. This of course set us up with a huge new audience all over Europe as well as the UK. The Freeloaders sample of “Loves such a wonderful thing” on their hit “So much love to give” was actually borrowed from the French team “Daft Punk”. It only serves to prove what a great Album 4 from 8 was, and we certainly deserved more than what we achieved with the song in 77 (no 31).

Growing up in London as an Afro Caribbean 60‘s child and seeing the influence of the Brit Funk Reggae domination in the national charts, I personally am curious on what happened else where in the country, for example Liverpool. You have experienced first hand from the early 60’s the infrastructure of the Liverpool 8 black community mixed with African and West Indians who frequented the Ibo Yorbo Silver Sand Gladray, Dutch Eddies and Stanley House venues, according to our Soul Survivor member Raph Parkinson (a native and local to that area black Liverpudlian). In addition to the Motown influence individuals like musician club owner Lord Woodbine aka Harold Phillips helped to nurture Merseyside acts like the Beatles and Cilla Black. With Liverpool’s cultural and colonial economy history how would you describes the black community’s significant contribution to music UK and beyond, as it doesn't appear to be universally recognized or rarely gets mentioned?

I have my own take on L8’s contribution to the UK music scene. I myself grew up there and if Woodbine had any influence on 60s music scene, then it certainly bypassed me. I know his family really well, his daughter Barbara Phillips had a female vocal group called “Distinction” in the 70s. The thing that shaped the Mersey beat explosion which in turn helped to reshape the whole British music scene for years to come, was the exposure to the music of artists such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Ray Charles and The Coasters. Followed later by Motown acts such as the Miracles Little and Stevie Wonder. Almost the first words the Beatles said to us when we first met them was “Have you heard the artists on this new label out 08 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

of the states The Miracles, and there’s this little blind kid called Stevie Wonder”? If you asked me what I felt our contribution was it would be this...like us or hate us WE became the first UK Black group to be taken seriously and to be allowed to write and produce our own songs.

Therefore we set the trend which has grown in strength ever since.

How did you end up producing another all black group that simulated your success in the 80’s, Loose Ends In The Sky debut on Virgin records single and could you then foresee their potential?

Once again it was Tony Hall’s influence which brought this about. He took over Loose Ends management and immediately suggested we produce them and we hit it off. We liked the 2 songs they sent to us and they gave us complete freedom to bring their ideas to fruition. I still enjoy listening to “In The Sky” the other song was “Only A Day Away” (a nice ballad). Loose Ends went on to great success and I’m proud of our association with them.

If you don’t mind enlightening me, what did Kenny Davis and Ray Lake, who are sadly no longer with us, bring to the group whilst they were involved?

Ray Lake was a great singer and I still get shivers when I listen to his lead vocal on “Children of the Ghetto”. Sadly he also had deep personal issues and Kenny was the original lead singer when the group was first formed as the Sophisticated Soul Brothers.

Now nearly 50 years, 36 of which were with the Real Thing, you Chris and Dave Smith (the surviving members) in the biz and going through the 60‘s Beatles Cavern phenomenon, the original reality TV experience of Opportunity Knocks and the ever changing 70’s social changes and travelling around the world, you’re still touring in Australia in 2011 for a few months. How do you reflect on today’s musical climate for black acts compared to yours and the reality platforms compared to yesteryears that recently had Liverpool's talented Rebecca Ferguson as runner up in the X Factor final?

I don’t rate the reality programs because we don’t see the acts in their true form but just airbrushed carefully hyped and overproduced acts served up on a kind of TV conveyor belt with its 5 minutes of fame mentality. That aside I think the present climate is a lot healthier now for the genuine creative acts who are willing to stand by their talents and fight for that “break”.

Thank you Eddie, you have enlightened us.

Thank you to Eddie for the photos.

ALSO TO BE STREAMED LIVE ON THE FRESH SWEET & SEXY WEBSITE http://www.fresh-sweet-sexy.co.uk/fresh-sweet-sexy-live ALSO STREAMING LIVE VIA SAVE OUR SOUL RADIO http://www.saveoursoul.es/soul-high.htm For More Info, V.I.P Bookings & Tickets Please Call : DIRECT LINES - 07865 598 972 / 07828 138 083 Alternatively Email : fresh-sweet-sexy@hotmail.co.uk Or Direct From Dingwalls Website http://www.dingwalls.com/listings/gigdetails/21-apr-11fresh-sweet--sexy-dingwalls/ Or MTV https://fan.musicglue.com/sale/saleproducts.aspx?productid=72632190-37fd-41a6-a890-9148c1b9aab7 Or Hit The Website @ http://www.Fresh-Sweet-Sexy.co.uk/

s ’ l l e r r a D funk box ith I know of. It’s w examples that J’s e D re e th al st m ju fe e y ar These r that man a crass behaviou ove themselves. Deep attracted quite of at rt th so ly is nt th ce re pr incident ing and aring ork hard to There was an was the sack have had to w our music and an ende to attention. It dy Gray ed An of ne of u e n yo dg sio at le lot of media vi th le ow kn the qualities off air m Skysports te ition are two of t there are no different from resignation fro mments made this os co sp t di xis se r fo ys l, e girls ou e DJ’s referee. Wel and Richard Ke be a DJ, and th rparts. Of the many femal ale assistant in the lly) over ica us ale counte m about a fem e wondering about sexism (m r d ei ye th jo tm which ended and en is the occurrence go ic club nights. The one thing that I have befri thing that you learn quickly the us scene.

M r ul e ou h So on in ug e s of ro J’ th ld th s D or s e ar w mal the ye that permeate ing is the lack of fe at this has noth a e of bitchiness makes for a lovely surprise th strikes me first nc e, se nc ab rie pe m ex put pper ale DJ’s. It Now I know, fro r sex not having the nous to out they don’t pe world of the m faire babe DJ’s that e said” stories. y birds to an m ng e lki ar ta e to do with the n er sh he w id, n together. Th ctions tion with “he sa radio record collectio r, far superior record colle their conversa fa may t there on the der It ve . ou s ha ow J’ at kn D I th l at e ga th y s ther un J’ an D ly m e us e al ar rio m y e se are Ther d man ys club feel that they than myself an rically, DJ-ing is a bit of a bo use male stations but I sto that male s. Is this beca the bill to ub in cl k e ea th br be because, hi in to t d on ul te s) ffic ie en di irl es it e (g pr d bl re fin pa em afraid to put th and chicks may e that they are more than ca t there promoters are y not enough good ladies ou ov pr d an ve er ? pl pres ng sim j-i e D er of th e ld or ar r own. asculine wor there of holding thei n cut it in the m a club where 2010 r ca at fo at g th in ds ar be Aw ce e r on e tim my Funk Box to most ck I can remembe mate who was with me at th ion d ba an ok lo er I When My best promot ards mot at rw th fo e d d by tic was a girl DJ. an se no ni ds I (issue 27) the backwar oman ub nights orga remarked that rd was reminiscent of a w night were cl ds chick l ar na w to tio ira an tle le sp I lit in co s subconsciously of cueing a re . I was totally shocked at hi s, women. Maybe e they are simply so good! ng uncertain term no us doing the ironi in ca , be m hi ts ld gh run ni k and to reliant on the minded remar azine is heavily s comment. ag hi m by ry ve ed is nd Anna Marshall th fe Why, that I was of se of the lovely that I was with ge and experti you know! fellow clubber led a n ow ng sio ni kn ca in sp oc r an don’t ece of totty On anothe r club and she’s a wom s eyes off the pi o was e through ou couldn’t take hi steel. I must admit that I to m running rif xis I’m just se of e en e of er th us t s th r el bu is he he , ’t, e w So us isn e e ca on th J be think that ther is particular D terful nights? I like to transfixed by th ins and kill buttons was mas to ga ng ! r, iri ldn’t er de sp ez a ge the cross fa le. It was in is column wou C, was impeccab every vely ladies th lo ra e nd es Sa th r, t ylo ou and the mixing mate merely remarked that see With Lin Ta y d ssible; Vivy B, stin, Adele Nippard, say the least. M wn to select a record he coul xist have been po Gail Au rr, Ca se do s is z’ th nd ug Jackie m be yb e time sh myself fro Marcia ‘Lad Angie Walter, ickly distanced Sophia Sofire, ic. us m her thong! I qu ur Roni O’Brien, yo g you for sharin station in rogue.

Hocking thank a pirate radio on d ke or dy w la I a o as Many years ag s called Kriss F.M. There w Darrell S nd er she the West Midla d once during our handov gig from a an ery Monday on before me promoter offered her a set at as to tune in ev on your internet et rg w fo e I . on ’t m at hi on x D Bo x act on told me th arrells Funk a particular se be so .com 6 - 8pm for D if she’d perform believe that someone could e. I power-radio ul .so w w w ’t m at dn da o t ul di en co ra I llig st! te in ha ly ag lting to this high e took brazen and insu ver did ascertain whether sh gig ne I at th a spot at a r he d must say re fe of s full! offer. I also e had her hand him up on his but she said sh on ng tti pu as w I

10 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Southport Weekender’s

AlEx lOWES

Talks to Fitzroy Apart from the Maggie’s Toon Army legends like Malcolm McDonald, Terry McDermott, the phrase Whyeye maan and When The Boat Comes in with James Bolan, I know little about Newcastle and where Black music fits in that 10 year late 60''s to 70's period. Where did you guys frequent in the early days musically, coming from Newcastle, in your quest to embrace the black music you now showcase at the world famous Up North Promotions catalyst Southport Weekender?

In the (very) early days we used to travel to see Colin Curtis and Ian Levine at Blackpool Mecca (LEGEND!) and the Casino (Wigan) of course, but the lack of decent Black Music Events up in the NE was what spurred me on as a scrawny 16 year old to DJ and run my own gigs.

What songs moved your soul mountains?

Originally anything from the masters Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Bobby Womack and the hundreds of obscure but brilliant tracks hailing from the likes of Detroit, Philly or Chicago. I could go on forever about individual songs, but then I'll regret missing some. But, however, Anderson Bros “I can see him Loving you”, Bits & Pieces - “Keep on Running Away” (timeless classic) are ones that somehow hold a special memory for me, or the late great Linda Jones “I just can't get enough”. Right I'm stopping there or I'll be here all night and I've work to do!

When I interviewed Richard Searling in our last issue he said he was inspired by Alex Lowes. Who as dj’s, promoters and artists inspired you both from the UK North to the South and beyond?

Well Richard & Colin (Curtis) as dj's way back in the day, then the likes of Chris Hill (legend) Robbie Vincent, Chris Brown and the London Mafia. Paul Scofield, Ian Dewhirst and the brilliant Leeds Central club. Nicky Holloway (superb promoter) first put me onto Berwick and how well we all remember the Special Branch trip to Ibiza we all attended, that kick-started that Island with the likes of Nicky, Simon Dunmore, Paul Oakenfold and one Pete Tong.

Who, or were there any characters worth mentioning that are now celebrities that travelled in the same circles as you?

Depends what you mean by celebs, Pete Tong, 12 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Tim Westwood, Paul Oaknfold all started off at Blues & Soul as a load of us did really. There are celebs all over that love great music and have been around our scene. Steve Davis, great bloke, treated us all to tickets for a Stax Records review concert. Wayne Hemingway, of course, like a lot of us, cut his teeth at Blackpool’s Highland room.

Samuel L Jackson once graced the floor at Southport and was raving about it to us all - really nice fellow. I always say though the real celebs are the loyal customers who support this scene through thick and thin.

When did you start djing?

Early 70s in a pub called the Coach & Eight in Durham.

I remember you told me once that you played with Chris Hill and he gave you his personal copy of a particular record...do you remember what that was?

Oh bloody hell - it was on Blue Note. I was touched, Chris was always a thoughtful guy and he remembered I loved that album. It was so long ago Fitz sorry mate.

Which weekenders and events did you attend before setting up your own?

I dj’d at Caister, Bournemouth when the split happened, Pwweli Events, everywhere and anywhere really.

With all due respect, what was it that was lacking at the more established weekenders like Caister that made you start to think big in becoming a promoter, deciding upon setting up Up North Promotions and starting the Soul weekender at Berwick Upon Tweed?

It was the music Fitz. I'm not knocking these events, but I really felt at the time, and that’s 24 years ago, that a whole chunk of real Soul music was missing and I felt you could still have a great party without it having to be based around “Anthem after Anthem”. Our scene (all forms of Black Music) had to be allowed to expand and develop - its absolutely crucial for its future.

What principally is Alex and Dave’s role in the organisation?

I book the acts, production, DJs etc etc and Dave holds the reins on the admin.

How did you go about choosing your first line up, who was in that line up and how many rooms did you have to cater for?

Gut instinct from a musical fanatic I guess - first one at Berwick 87. We had Ronnie McNeir, Lanier & Co, Keni Burke, guest PA Longsy D. & Cutmaster MC, Hotline & Chris Paul, Black Britain PA. Why did it move after 3 years to the Southport Pontin’s camp with it’s grim and grime old school Hi Di Hi accommodation?

It just kept outgrowing the caravan parks and The Southport Centre at the time proved to be the perfect “Party Location”.

The rooms and music policies have changed over the years with the newer genres being accommodated to nurture the diverse aged audience’s tastes. Some naturally have been dissatisfied and some embrace that more. How do you balance the feedback you get?

You can't please all the people all the time Fitz. If you go to St James Park on a Saturday afternoon there are 50,000 people who think they can do a better job than the Manager (in our case they probably can ha ha)! I don't have it in me to live in the past. All we can do is embrace the best of what is out there in our music, whilst keeping a respectful eye on the roots of the music that brought us here.

At what point did you realise that you had the most talked about twice yearly Weekender catering for 5000 people travelling universally across the globe?

It’s never crossed my mind Fitz, honestly. I only keep trying to better it as we go along, you're only as good as your last event in my opinion. If people are not happy about certain aspects of things I take it to heart because both myself and Dave really care. All that counts is that our wonderful customers from all around the world walk away happy and have had the value for money they deserve.

How much planning is needed to prepare for each event as I believe most people really have no idea?

HONESTLY - I know what you’re saying, but with us we're working flat out all year, so you're looking at a good 10 Months.

How do you and your team manage to deal with the awkward issues that can arise with booking accommodation, hotels, flights and passages and sometimes artists and resolve them quickly...as if you haven’t got enough other worries in putting on a major event?

We have a great team in place that has taken years to build. My thrive on this possibly comes from my background as an Emergency Planning Officer. It’s a hell of a lot of hard work, but without it, everyone suffers, as it’s a knock on effect; it’s all about teamwork.

Not an easy question - but out of all of the acts you’ve put on, including PE, TCQ, Gangstarr, Roy Ayers, Ten City, India, Teena Marie, Adeva, Sounds Of Blackness, Soul 2 Soul, MAW, Azymuth, Incognito, Leroy Burgess, Fatback and The Blackbyrds etc., who have proved to be the people’s favourite and your personal favourites?

Mica Paris Music is a personal thing Fitz to everyone and we each have our own. Me I love them all.

Same as above, which of the many elite Dj’s who’ve graced the Funkbase, Bacardi/Beat Bar, Connoisseurs and Powerhouse, have rocked the dance floor?

Same answer mate. I'm not going to stand at the bar while they come up and say "What About Me? All brilliant mate - even you ha ha!

Southport 46 was special, not only as it was the last one at Pontin’s, but the fact you managed with the volcanic ash scenario to secure some quality Dj’s and acts, especially the disco finale on the Sunday with Linda Clifford, Jocelyn Brown and Martha Wash. When all have attended and gone home, what’s the clear up aftermath like and your recovery time?

David Rodigan Amazing....actually did you know Manchester Airport was closed each of the weekends prior and after the weekender? Someone looked down kindly on us, but it didn't do my nerves any good. The clear up in paperwork, the Southport dating agency (do you know such and such in chalet such and such - ha ha ), debriefs etc etc takes a couple of months alone. But we have to be straight and onto the next one.

New artists are always gonna be easier to select, with the changing face of today’s Black music, but how do you choose your dj’s as I know some attend as punters in the hope of getting on the gig, yet I’d never been to one prior to 2004 and got a phone call to spin in 2005.

There is some turbulence amongst some people that there isn’t enough representation of UK dj’s, for example in the Powerhouse. How do you choose and balance who plays on the Jocelyn Brown event?

I don't look at who is from where, male or female etc etc. It’s about a balance of what’s current and what’s the future, the fact that it’s a party and not forgetting our roots.

The decision process takes months till (hopefully) we get it right for that one and for people that have not played or are not on that one, there is always another, as we only have so much room to keep the flow right.

How is the new Croatia venture doing - by all reports the 2010 debut was a success?

Absolutely fantastic Fitz. I said it after the last one and most agreed, that it was the best opening party we'd ever done. It’s a fabulous place, great food and people....Beer Karlovackio! And SunceBeat2 2011 July 29- 31 is flying well.

Southport via Minehead 47 sets to be an historical occasion with some of the regular and newer additional Dj’s and acts already announced. What can those attending expect at the Southport Regulars new site and are you gonna eventually go back to doing two a year?

When this recession ends (hopefully) and people can afford it, I sincerely hope so. That way we can introduce more exciting new ideas, djs and artists, as this wonderful scene of ours... has so much to offer.

Cheers Alex Nice one Fitz

SOUL SNIPPETS All Change at Freestyle Freestyle Records was the 2003 embryo of DJ Promoter Adrian Gibson and Kudos Records distribution honcho Danny Ryan. As an independent UK label, Freestyle nurtured soul jazz funk, latin hip hop and Afrobeat acts and recordings that defined the label’s earlier impact. Available on 7,12 inch cd and downloads Speedometer, Snowboy and Sounds Sytlistics and my own production project Junk Funk’s “Just Like Me” are some acts that showcase the diverse releases being churned out regular like cows producing milk. Musician DJ and The Fantastics band member Greg Boraman, with an established ex early Acid Jazz mover and shaker pedigree, gained promotion within Freestyle as A&R late 2010, once Adrian departed to invest in his own event promotion venture.

With intelligent observation and awareness of the overloaded market with new outfits rehashing and replicating retro 60’s-70’s jazz funk and soul influences, Greg's genre foresight was a much broader one.

Signing new acts Frootful and The Shaolin Afronauts, Greg’s ideological template for Freestyle is to release less titles but more quality and fresher material. With a new promotional campaign, Freestyles reputable and original ethos remains prevalent in the niche market in which Freestyle domaine, and in Greg’s own words “we won’t be ripping up the rule book, but we will be doing different things differently” so watch out like Brandi Wells for the new improved Freestyle Records!! Fitroy

Kent Soul Survivors It’s quite easy to imagine that the “Soul Scene” in the widest sense only exists either in London, Essex or Northern wooden floored dance clubs.

As an Original Old Soul Boy from Gravesend I am pleased to say actually this couldn’t be further from the truth.

There always has been a healthy cadre of soul and jazz-funk lovers around Kent and they are still out there spreading the word.

The scene in Kent has undergone a renaissance in recent years with a number of established, well supported gigs regularly taking place with two or three choices each month, Apologies if I have missed any, but here is a snapshot of events.

“The Kent Soul Sessions” at Bar59 in Gravesend, run by myself with resident DJs Roni O’Brien and other Caister DJ’s. ”Soul on the Harbour” at Jacksons Wharf, Ramsgate, run by the knowledgeable and dedicated East Kent Soul Connection” (Mickey B, & The Groove Junkies). “The Westcoast Bar”, Margate, home of Eli and “The Westcoast Soulstars”, a name I am sure we are all becoming familiar with and “Funk & Soul” parties in Bromley & Chislehurst, run by Steve Goddard.

So lots to tempt out those not prepared to journey across the bridge or into the congestion zone. In someways we have turned full circle, there always were outposts of soul in Kent but we didn’t make too much of a fuss, mind you we did have “Flicks”.

It’s good to see people venturing out again, with the advent of Facebook and “Soul Survivors” it’s much easier to see what’s on and where. Long may it continue!

Keep up the good work.

Tony Matthews QVRM

Jazz Fm are showcasing and promoting several exciting live soul and jazz events at some prestigious venues this summer in the cities of London, Birmingham & Manchester.

Before the 2011 summer ends, make sure you attend one of them, as like Loreal.... it’ll be worth it.

Starting with The Luxury Soul Weekender May 27-30th, the line up just gets “better and better” with USA soul heartthrob Eric Benet headlining the bill, which includes 25 knowledgeable connoisseur DJ’s.

For 2 or 3 day packages go to jazzfm.com or obtain weekend passes from www.ticketline.co.uk Soul survivors The Impressions, once led vocally by mentor Curtis Mayfield and his portage Leroy Hutson make their UK debut at the Barbican on the 10th June and Bridgewater Hall 11th June with The Soul Of Curtis Mayfield showcasing their impressive musical heritage with a full live band. Tickets from barbican.org.uk and www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

Performing and celebrating his spiritually iconic 70’s album nimble fingered jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis wades in on Manchester waters for the first time since the 70's on the 3rd July at Bridgewater Hall with the Sun Goddess Tour. Tickets from www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.

Jazz scatting, linguistic gymnast and vocal oralist Al Jarreau triple jumps into the UK with 3 dates, July 3rd at London’s Royal Festival Hall, 24th July at Birmingham's Symphony Hall and Manchester's popular Bridgewater Hall, 25th July. Check www.ticketmaster.co.uk for London and Manchester and www.ticketline.co.uk for Birmingham. Fitzroy

DATE SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED: THE SOUL SURVIVORS’ AWARDS WITH SPECIAL PA APPEARANCES, DJS AND SURPRISES! 14 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Poogie Bell Band SPRING TOUR - ONLY SHOW IN THE UK Featuring: Bobby Sparks, “Patches” Stewart, Keith Anderson and Poogie Bell.

You are most definitely familiar with POOGIE BELL’S work and music. The fact remains that this man behind the drum kit has laid down beats and rhythms for a myriad of clientele that reads more like a “WHO’S WHO” list in the music industry.

Artists across the widest variety of music genres, such as Marcus Miller, David Bowie, Chaka Khan, John Scofield, Vanessa Williams, Victor Wooten, Roberta Flack, Joe Sample, Al Jarreau, David Sanbom, Erykah Badu, Stanley Clarke, Angelique Kidjo, Randy Crawford, and Stanley Turrentine, have relied on POOGIE’s unique syncopated rhythms and ultra – tight grooves.

As the Songwriter-Drummer, Poogie Bell has his own unique brand of Funk-Jazz, mixing traditional Jazz & Funk with a new flavour Jam. Performing with the highly successful & his Jazz contemporaries Michael “Patches” Stewart (Marcus Miller, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, George Duke) on Trumpet, Bobby Sparks (Marcus Miller, Kirk Franklin, George Benson, CeCe Winans) on Keys, & Keith Anderson (Les McCann, Roy Hargrove, Erykah Badu, Bobby Lyle, the great Cab Calloway) on Sax. http://www.poogiebell.net From 8pm - Entry Fee £17 advance

t r ta S p m Ju

S D R O W with Ginger Tony

“I want it now please...”

Summer’s too far away. There it is I’ve said it and I don’t feel guilty. By the time June arrives we’ll have 2 of the most anticipated albums for quite a while in our hands and I can’t wait!

First up, May sees the release of the brand new album from Monday Michiru. “Don’t Disturb This Groove” (named after The System’s 1987 single) is a covers project and features a very exciting and interesting collection of tracks including Teena Marie’s “Ooh La La La”, The Emotions‘ floorfiller “The Best Of My Love” as well as re-workings of classics from Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and the Brand New Heavies. Also on this release is a very different take on “No Woman, No Cry”, I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard the Bob Marley standard with a female vocal, but as I mentioned this will give it a very different spin.

so far, it’s a rather contagious concoction of Marvin Gaye’s “Can I Get A Witness”, the guitar loop from “These Boots Are Made For Walking” by Nancy Sinatra and all set to a foot stomping Breakbeat - this much fun surely can’t be legal!!!

Also going great guns is Sunlightsquare’s “Land Of 1000 Dances” which again is fun, fun, fun!!!

The Cheque’s in the post...

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s helped make “Jump Start 2” such a success.

So if you’ve bought it, played it, told someone about it – I owe you big time!!!

Ciao for now.

GTx

And just when we start getting over the excitement of that Smoove + Turrell reappear with “Eccentric Audio” on Jalapeno Records. No signs of “the difficult second album” here. If like me you loved their debut “Antique Soul” then you’ll adore this. Among the many standout tracks is the stunning cover of MJ’s “It’s The Falling In Love” which alongside Monday’s (mentioned earlier) take of “I Can’t Help It” puts MJ firmly back in vogue.

Also out about now are new albums from Bebo Best & The Super Lounge Orchestra and Jojo Effect.

Both albums are from the jazzy side of the street and are available from Chin Chin Records.

I must give a quick mention about the upcoming album from Renegades Of Jazz. I’ve been assured “Hip To The Jive” is on the horizon. ;-) Singles-wise, if you’re up and at ‘em early enough to catch the “Jump Start”, you’ll have heard little old me getting far too excited about Fab Samperi’s “Listen Up” on Agogo. Possibly my favourite of 2011

'Jump Start' Saturdays 8 till 10am. www.solarradio.com Sky Digital channel 0129 www.soulfunkandjazz.com/playlist.html www.myspace.com/djgingertony 16 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Raph Parkinson talks to

Les Spaine

When did you become a DJ? 1971.

What were the social and economic conditions like in Liverpool during the 70s?

There were major problems with Liverpool at that time where the population of Liverpool felt the Government at the time had abandoned them and there was no investment. There was a big depression in Liverpool, unlike Liverpool now that seems to have had a lot of hope and money invested into it.

Was there a colour bar in night clubs in Liverpool during the 70s?

Definitely, if you let yourself be barred! Certain people could go to whatever clubs they wanted, I was lucky to be one of them. I wouldn’t call it a ‘colour bar’ per se. People would say the club was ‘full’ and mostly it was due to the fact that club owners believed that if people of colour were in their place... other customers would not attend. My attitude was I don’t want to go to your club I’d rather have my own, which is why we did what we did! Hence places like The Pun Club and The Time Piece were clubs that were black clubs that white people came to. It seems strange to be talking like this in this day and age but that is the way it was back then.

What was the music policy in the clubs you worked in?

Music policy was set by me predominantly and firstly it had to be ‘good’ music, be it funk, R&B ballads or reggae. It had to be excellent and we also would play something if it was done by a band that ‘didn’t fit’ into the stereotype of what a reggae or R&B band should be. So we did play a lot of white soul artists if they were doing music that was right for the club. We also had a very healthy live scene and did put acts like Ronnie Spector, Chairman of the Board, Johnny Wilder and the Chicago Heatwave, The Real Thing, Detroit Spinners and many more.

Who influenced your music tastes?

Lots of people; from an early age I remember my father played good music on a Sunday. I went to lots of blues and old clubs that I used to sneak into as well (being under age in the 60‘s), US Soldiers venues, as Britain had 12 or more US bases at the time.

Which artists played at the Timepiece?

Not only did artists play at the Timepiece but if they were in 18 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

town at the Liverpool Empire or Philharmonic, we would bring them down. (See Q4 for example of artists).

Did Northern Soul have any relevance to you?

All music has a relevance to me but I was not a Northern Soul DJ. I do believe that a DJ should play music that he has a specific affinity to and a good understanding of. I wouldn’t claim to have either when it comes to Northern Soul. However there are DJ’s whom I respect immensely like Ian Levine etc therefore I nonetheless still hold a respect for this genre of music.

Which other DJs guested at the Timepiece?

Eric Hern, Steve Mason, Kevin Curtis and Dave Porter played once but most of the time it was just myself.

What is your fav 10 Top choons?

Flashlight/One Nation Under A Groove-Parliament/ Funkadelic, Aint it Funky Now/Give me Some Skin-James Brown, Harry Hippy/Daylight by Bobby Womack, All of the ‘Caught up’ album by Millie Jackson, Fence Walk-Mandrill, Who’d She Coo-The Ohio Players, You and I/SuperfreakRick James, Outta Space-Billy Preston, Bus Stop/Wicki Wacky-Fatback Band, Shack Up-Banbarra. It’s hard to pick 10 songs as so many more spring to mind so I’ve picked ten artists and highlighted some of their tracks.

When you moved to London which clubs did you visit?

Every club that sold alcohol!! Columbos, Dingwalls, The 100 Club, Gullivers and many more. But my favourite was Gullivers which I frequented most nights with my good friend Albert Samuels. We used to take whichever Motown/Soul act we had with us, including artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

What is your current employment status?

I run a Management/Agency Company and we do have a couple of other Companies. I have this year decided that I will be doing some exclusive DJ’ing sets at certain venues which I intend to donate my fee to the Prostate Cancer Charity. Most men are negligent on checking their Prostate therefore we are trying desperately to raise awareness for the Charity.

Which other DJs do you respect?

There are many I respect, like Greg Edwards, Greg Wilson, Colin Curtis and most other old school ones like Ian Levine and Robbie Vincent. It is a really hard one to answer because anyone who stands up there and does this I have tremendous respect for.

I’ll be doing a TIMEPIECE in Liverpool in 2011, I think the time is right and lots of people have been asking for this to happen. Come and join us.

or s v i v r l Su u o S /11 0 The 1 0 2 ds r a w A THE NOMINATIONS Name ............................................................................................. Age ..................

Address ......................................................................................................................

Email Address .........................................................................................................

Best UK Soul Artist/Group (Past or Present) .......................................................................................................................................

Best Global Soul Artist/Group (Past or Present) .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Album - Independent or Major (Past or Present) .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Record Label - Independent or Major (Past or Present) .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Club Night (Past or Present) London & Home Counties .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Club Night (Past or Present) Outside London & Home Counties .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Weekender .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Holiday Abroad .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Concert .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Promoter .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Club DJ .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Radio Station (Past or Present) .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Radio Presenter (Past or Present) .......................................................................................................................................

Best Soul Publication Pre 2000 .......................................................................................................................................

YOUR VOTE COUNTS PLEASE COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF 10 CATEGORIES (1 form per person) POST TO: THE SOUL SURVIVORS, PO BOX 377, WEST MALLING, ME6 9DQ Email to: info@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk 01732 844246 (Closing Date: 10/5/11)

the soul survivors

Merchandise

0 t, sturqu£ois1e4or.5 ir h -S T 0 s .5 pink ie 4 1 d £ a L s t red , Black, white al blue en’s Ti, na-svy,hredir M V or round neck in d, Large , sunflower or roy logo in Small, Me L Black, white, khak XX Med, Large, XL & with logo. Small, s) er mb (£12 SS me

with s) (£10 SS member

es £2.50 each u s s I k c a B 5 tvyJbluae wicthkwheitetarm£str2 a e ipes, w S na , with front zip Small, Med, Large ge logo on back. chest logo and lar o and ladies’ hoodies available) log XL, (Old or new ers) (£22.50 SS memb

6.50 Mugemsbe£ rs (£5 SS m

cologrod(£12BSSamegmbsers)£15 Re or new Old

Paypal taken it/debit cards & Cheques, Cred

01732 84424u6lsurvivors.co.uk anna@theso eekly email.

ive our w REMINDER ils onto our website to receh a few competitions. it ta Log your de events and news along w An update of

Back Issues Missing an issue?

Issue 2

Issue 3

lable at i a v a l l a s e Back issu or full set £2.50 each h xcl 1) wit available (e ip for £45 h s r e b m e m annual Issue 9

Issue 16

Issue 23

Leroy Burgess Joy Denalane

Gwen Dickey Tommy Stewart Tribute to Froggy

Smokey Robinson Larry Graham Mint condition Angela Johnson

Issue 10

Issue 17

Issue 24

Jean Carne April Hill Omar pt2

Larry Blackmon Barbara Roy

Shaun Escoffery N’Dambi Greg Wilson Rob Hardt

Issue 18

Issue 25

Issue 4

Issue 11

Tributes to James Brown

Dez Parkes Will Downing

ISSUE 5

Bluey Leon Ware Lenny Williams Hi St Soul Eric Benet

Nile Rodgers Philip Bailey Keni Burke

Issue 12

Issue 19

Issue 26

Jocelyn Brown

Chris Hill Jeffrey Daniel

Mica Paris Noel McKoy Erik Rico

Randy Muller Leroy Hutson Gordon Mac

Issue 6

Issue 13

Issue 20

Tashan Beggar & Co

Melba Moore George Power

Thelma Houston Eric Roberson Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson

Issue 7

Issue 14

Issue 21

Dr Bob Jones

Frankie Beverly Ronald Khalis Bell Amp Fiddler

Teena Marie Chaka Khan Steve Arrington Maxwell John Morales

Issue 8

Issue 15

Issue 22

Omar

Brand New Heavies Colin Curtis John Legend

Mary Davis Teddy Riley & Chauncey Black Freddie Lee

Issue 27

Michael Henderson Teena Marie pt2 Richard Searling Ralph Tee Tribute to Dick Griffey

Issue 28

Tributes to Teena Marie Gary Dennis Conya Doss Heston

IP H S R E MEMB M FOR INTERVIEWS HAVE INCLUDED: Jocelyn Brown Bob Jones Tashan Beggar & Co Leroy Burgess Omar Joy Denalane Maxwell Jean Carne April Hill Dez Parkes Erik Rico Will Downing Chris Hill Jeffrey Daniel Melba Moore George Power John Legend The Brand New Heavies Colin Curtis Gwen Dickey Bluey Tommy Stewart Larry Blackmon Barbara Roy Leon Ware Hil St Soul Lenny Williams Eric Benet Mica Paris Noel McKoy Thelma Houston Eric Roberson Chaka Khan Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson Steve Arrington Teena Marie Mary Davis of SOS Band Freddie Lee Larry Graham Teddy Riley & Chauncey Black of Blackstreet Smokey Robinson Mint Condition Angela Johnson and many more to come.......

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP & BACK ISSUES RENEWAL

-

Regular copies posted to your door. £ 20 Membership Card Soul Survivor mixed CD (while stocks last) Please tick Car sticker Discounted Merchandise Soul Survivor discounts Weekly email update All of the above and a full set of Back Issues £ 45 (Excluding Issue 1)

£ 20 Please tick

Name .............................................................................................................................

Address ......................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................

Postcode .......................................................................................................................

Email Address.............................................................................................................

Address Telephone ................................................ Mobile ...................................................

Date of Birth .......................................... (We’d like to wish you Happy Birthday)!

Card Number

Expiry Date............................

Issue No. Date No ........ Last 3 Digits ....... (on reverse of card) I enclose a cheque .............. Made payable to “The Soul Survivors” Signed ................................................................. Date .....................................

The Soul Survivors, PO Box 377, West Malling ME6 9DQ Email: info@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk or call 01732 844246

Record reviews Mellow Mellow - Harmless Complied by Dean Rudland 35 Tracks of double cd mellowness celebrates Harmless’s 15th Anniversary campaign.

Classics, version excursions, southern soul, sampled breaks and contrasting 80’s beats featured illuminate and less familiar artists. Classics includes Holland & Dozier’s Why Can’t We Be Lovers whilst the version excursions come courtesy of Al Johnson & Jean Carn I’m Back For More and Webster Lewis’s Give Me Some Emotion. The late Willie Mitchell’s southern soul is stewing on Al Green’s Call Me and Jean Plum’s Look At The Boy. Samples to YoYo’s “Can’t Play With My Yoyo” and Derrick Dimitri’s 1997 classic Get It On Tonight were inspired by EWF’s Devotion and Salsoul’s Claudja Barry’s Love For The Sake Of Love.

There’s a nice Millie Jackson/Isaac Hayes collaboration Soft Lights, Sweet Music and You amongst the too many to mention selection so I suggest you check this out. Fitzroy The Breaks - Harmless When Jamaican born DJ Kool Herc introduced mixing breaks beats in the mid 70‘s Bronx sector, he started something of a phenomenon like the Cavern’s Liquid Liquid cut-used for Grandmaster Flash’s White Lines included on this twin CD. Hear the funk soul fusion break and samples that influence the contemporary classics of the 80‘s 90‘s & 2000 decades via Raze’s Jack The Groove (Cymande-Bra), Erick Sermons - Love Is (Al Greens Love & Happiness), Two Kings & A Cypher - You Know How To Make Me (Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes - You Know How To Make Me) and Young MC’s - I Come Off (Aaron Neville Hercules). Disco breaks like Gaz - Sing Sing and Instant Funk’s - Got My Mind Made Up, Manzel’s mooged Space Funk and the party version of Taana Gardner’s - Heartbeat are the more familiar smidgens of the albums deeper diversity. Fitzroy Anthony David - As Above So Below (Dome) Echoing my theory on the distinct depth of the southern soul sonic heritage, Anthony David cruises with ooze on this anticipated Dome release. He commands the deserved respect of his peers and his audience, as witnessed at his acoustic session at Bush Theatre W12 Feb 2011. Cool calm & collected he walks talks and lives soul music on cuts like For Ever More and Reach Ya, and questions the morality of prophetic statements made in the military drummed What God Says. His love for hip hop utilises Doug E Fresh and Slick Ricks La Di Da Di on the lazy smooth delivery of Keep You Around. The most captivating cut period is his acoustically painted portrait of neighbourhood life in the narrative and atmospheric Backstreet showcasing his prolific songwriting capability. Fitzroy

Bootsy - The Funk Capitol Of The World (Mascot Records) From his JB’s and Parlifunkadelicment pedigree, William Bootsy Collins collaborates with a menage of black cultured talent. With his space bass Bootsy collaborates on Hip Hop @ Funk U with rap royalties Ice Cube, Snoop Dog and PE’s Chuck D. He pays homage cleverly using inserts from an interview with Jimi Hendrix on Mirrors Tell Lies and a soul sermon to James Brown on JB Still The Man preached by Rev Al Sharpton. In 2011 Bootsy retains that P Funk overture of the rising church organ keys and clapping snares throughout this album expressed via Samuel L Jackson’s monologued After These Messages and Kool Whip/The Real Deal feat Candisweets and Shelia E. His funk brother Catfish Collins and the gravelled voice of Bobby Womack grace Don't Take My Funk Away and we are only at track 9! It is an awesome album crossing many genres, philosophical musical messages and an appearance from George Clinton. Fitzroy Funk Supreme - Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel From the Los Charly’s camp, Jorge teams up with Juan Laya for a mainly instrumental and vocoder echoed organ funk bomb. Moody and haunting with mad moogs there is an original and an alternative Heavy Breaks mix minus the vocoder. Emphasizing the colossal soul surviving influence the old school has on today’s musical producers and players, this soulja definitely stands to detailed attention! Nice!! Fitzroy Deodata - The Crossing I’ve been hooked on Deodata since hearing “Black Widow” and “Crabwalk” played on Robbie Vincent’s show in the seventies. To date he has made over 450 albums either as a composer, arranger, producer or main artist. 16 platinum records, 25 million sales in the USA, Jazz, classical, soul or funk all benefit from his involvement. Overseeing music by Earth Wind and Fire, Kleeer, Michael Frank’s Chuck Mangoine, The Dazz Band, Kool and the Gang, Con-Funk-Shun and Bjork, just a few of the names our readers revel in. His latest “The Crossing” has Al Jarreau, Londonbeat, Airto Moreira, Billy Cobham, John Tropea, Paco Sery and Novecentro on board, a potent mix of exhilarating Fusion and Soul. Sample “Double Face” with Al Jarreau or “Night Passage” featuring John Tropea, you will also join the fan club gasping for more! Paul Clatworthy www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk 23

The Liberators (RecordKicks) Hailing from Sydney Australia this Afro beat meets Jazz Funk outfit endeavour to liberate further the African soundtrack Fela Kuti, Hugh Masakela, Manu Dibango, Osibisa, Sakhile, Onenus Of Juju and Buari are famed for. The familiar African rhythm militant drum, percussion, brass horns, rhythmic guitar and uplifting Afro dialect messages are very dominantly featured throughout the CD. It’s tempo varies, starts ferociously with Multiculture followed closely by almost JB’s sounding Bullet Proof and equally funky Rags To Riches.

The ten piece band sound tight and have added the vocals of native Aussie soul sensation Roxie Ray on Let It Go, African warrior Jo Jo Kuo on Denga and Ghanian Afro Moses on Liberation. Ending on a finger guitar licking instrumental The Directive, I conclude that The Liberators have nurtured an ironic sound linking Africa’s world music statue via the indigenous Aborigine cultured Australia. Thumbs up on this!!

Keni Burke - Soul Real (Expansions) When you get a leader of the old school liaising with an established label and future leaders of the new school, it’s gotta be a winning formula. Forever young sounding Keni Burke conjures up like Phil Fearon and Galaxy a “fantasy real” scenario about a mysterious captivating sensual women in a black Mercedes. With Cool Millions Frank Ryle and Rob Hardt production skills here is an exquisite timeless piece of soul surviving music.

Available on ITunes and as an Expansions 7 inch, designed like the Dark Horse label Keni was associated with in the 70’s. The B side is a collaboration with Preston Glass called Orange U Ready a mid tempo universal smooth soul message song previously released on the triple Luxury Soul 2011 CD. Still rising to the top Keni Burke just keeps on singing!! Fitzroy Jump Start 2 - Various Artist (Soul Unsigned) With recharged spark plugs GT(Ginger Tony)’s Jump Start engine No2 is firing on diverse jazz funk and soul fuel. The first two tracks Seductive Soul Is This Love and Dr Rubberneck Northern Comfort have a Ceelo vocal style on a southern funk lick. Diesler ft Laura Vane Samba Magic is a vocal powered catchy jazz twister introducing us to the cd’s jazzy dimension. This includes a drum and bass styled Jazz Invaders - Make It Work and Tape Five-Birds Like It feat Iain McKenzie and Milano Jazz Dance ft Felix - Goodbye (Bubley meets Biondi) vocal swing dancers, perfect for the weekender jazz rooms. The 4 floor selection includes a nice minimal percussive Monday Michiru-Weak, Carolyn Harding’s legendary vocals on Makes Me feel Like Dancing and Papik - Staying Good that works unusually well with a swing jazz vocal on a percussive 4floor beat. Nice one GT!! Fitzroy

Speedometer - This Is Speedometer Vol 1 & 2 One of Freestyles driving force outfits in regurgitating the early funky soul elements championed from the late 60’s to the mid 70’s, Speedometer release their anthology.

Hustle chants like You Can Do It evoke the JB’s as does Dapper Dan(JB’s Popcorn) and Fatback influences whilst The Meter’s are all over Mullet. As an alternative to JTQ’s live sound Speedometer sound tight, well produced with some varied vocal deliveries from Ria Currie, Carrie Flack and Niki King. My favourite bar none is the uptempo rework of Beyonce’s Work It Out,What Am I Gonna Do and the Marva Whitney esque Do The Best You Can amplify the working gels of the group. They’ve shared billing with funk masters Eddie Bo and Joe Quarterman and performed with JTQ at many venues including London’s Jazz Cafe. Hear what the fuss is all about over 22 “across the tracks” like Maceo CD. Fitzroy Azymuth - Aurora (Far Out) I’ve heard them on wax and seen them live and this trio from Rio 35 years later are still dazzling us with Brazilian skills of Pele, Garrincha Ronaldhinio proportions. Revisiting their Light As A Feather Outubro and Telecommunication roots In My Tree House in memory of Jose’s childhood dwellings evokes slightly slower Jazz Carnival and Papasong memories. For the dancers Carnaval Legrand cattails the stop start breakdown hallmarks of their wanderlust classic Estreito De Taruma. Followed by the infectious percussive vocal samba bullet Diz No Pe Jose, Alex and Ivan show no mercy in executing their musical prowess.

Meu Mengo almost a 2011 Dear Limertz is a testament to Alex’s fave football team Flamengo. Adding variety check out Crazy Clock a Brazilian funky vocoder simulation of Al Jarreau’s Roof Garden and E Mulher a sweet skippy disco jazz foot shuffler. Truly Awesome - buy this album!! Fitzroy Donald Sheffrey - Between You and Me (Soulchoons) From the Soulchoons camp Donald Sheffrey graces four tracks from his forthcoming CD. Gifted is a nice simple mellow soul jazz cut produced by Di Lee and Weezie Prod. Project featuring Donald’s matured and smooth voice. I’m Bumping To It is a catchy uptempo 4floor house mix track that is conducive with what’s out there currently in that market.

More lounging and easy listening is In Love for the ballad heads whilst Take You Home may prove popular with the 2 steppers. Slightly different from his previous release but another template of Soulchoons musical benchmark. Fitzroy 24 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Joy Rose - The Rose In Me (Rose & Thomas Recordings) One of the underrated soul sisters Joy Rose has fled the Incognito nest and written and produced her solo debut. Well received when showcased live at the prestigious Hideaway in SW16, this individual, personal and equally universal album has a unique quality. Musically minimal yet subtle you get a full almost 3D cinematic surround of Joy’s unquestionable vocal clarity and delivery. Stand out cuts include Everything dedicated to Joy’s husband and the Afro Caribbean testimonial and impassioned Mama, So Proud Of You. Joy paints an inspiring vocal collage on Flowers like watching Tony Hart of Vision On create a masterpiece in five minutes. Destined for a future 2011 anthem is the bumping Summer Is Here. Can’t Live A Lie, So Long, This Far and Baby Please Don’t Go are a few of the slower cultural grooves not to be slept on. Creeping like Stevie Wonder into your musical dreams wake up everybody and get this!! Fitzroy Los Charly’s Orchestra Chicano Disco Funk (Imagenes) Having seen these guys perform live at a packed East Villages Anniversary gathering recently you can now hear the excitement over a lucky thirteen tracks. The enthusiasm similar to Sunburst Band to recreate that classic live and real instrument disco jazz boogie dance formula, can be heard on the popular Black Boy Lane and the disco stringed hustler Swinging To The Bass. Funkanova incorporates the Herbie Hancock vocoder and keys influence with some bright horns, the horns being a key component to the band’s overall sound. Funk Inspector carries the hallmarks of Willie Beavers bad boy We Three and Lonnie Liston’s Space Princess strings and familiar jazz funk rhodes traits. As an alternative there are funkier vocals message tracks like Some Of Those Things with a simplistic but groovy bass line in tow. Produced by now London resident but Venezuelan born Jorge Montiel relive the 70’s & 80’s boogie renaissance!! Fitzroy Frootful Colours (Freestyle) This live music serving from Freestyle smacks of that crystal clear Blue Note/Prestige production edge championed by Grant Green & Wes Montgomery. The lead guitar is a dominant feature throughout this jazz bluesy CD of classic musicianship as heard on the opening vibaphone and sax driven cut Colours. Ticking Over borrows the Clyde Stubblefield funky drummer break, whilst another mutha funka Astronaughty incorporates wah wah guitar licks and wild space sythn solo’s. Latin Strut with its leading flute and skippy drum rhythm is surely inspired by Joe Baatan’s interpretation of Deodato’s Superstrut. Similarly Take Me There is based off the Staple Singers classic I’ll Take You There, again with a blues guitar and fatback drum improvisation.

Young & Frootful is an interesting ska take on Young Holt Trio’s backing track to Barbara Atkins Am I The Same Girl. Conjuring up a colourful live stage imagery Frootful have arrived!! Fitzroy

SEND IN YOUR REVIEWS OR TRACKS FOR REVIEW TO fitzroy@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk The Soul Survivors PO Box 377 West Malling Kent ME6 9DQ 07956 312931

Dennis Coffey - Dennis Coffey (Strut) With his blue eyed rock & psychedelic soul wah wah guitar chops, Dennis Coffey one time member of the Motown Funk Bro’s is celebrated as one of great musicians and producers of his time. As retro today that you can get to the 70‘s production the instrumentally funky 7th Galaxy opens up the cd a with rollocking guitar riff and break beat. The distinct Motown sound is smothered on the next two vocal cuts Don’t Knock My Love and All Your Goodies Are Gone. Miss Millie again showcases some licks of Dennis’s Sussex anthems the mighty Scorpio and Ride Sally Ride(inspiration for Hip Hop classics Show Biz & AG’s Fat Pockets remix and Most Wanted’s Calm Down). Downright dirty nasty is best how to describe Space Traveller and as a bonus there is an nice dub instrumental of Wilson Pickett’s Don’t Knock My Love. Still creating Wings Of Fire Dennis has got his own thing!! Fitzroy Sheree Brown - Straight Ahead (Capitol) I had the immense opportunity to speak with a humble excitable and underrated musical jewel Sheree Brown who re releases her 2 classic connoisseur Capitol albums on CD. Her return to the forefront arena was recently witnessed at the March Giants Of Rare Groove concert. With self belief spiritual love and the artistry of Paulhino D Costa, Syretta and close ally Patrice Rushen, Sheree’s acoustic folk meets Soul songwriting etiquette is beautifully executed on You’ll be Dancing All Night You Are Beautiful, Everything You Do and the gorgeous It’s a Pleasure. Produced by Minnie Ripperton’s husband Richard Rudolph there is a special hidden bonus track I’d Rather Be In Love With You. Fitzroy Sheree Brown - The Music (Capitol) This as a follow up album with a slight contemporary of the time electro boogie production is a timeless exquisite piece of musical menagerie. Almost 30 years later we truly see how Sheree perfected her style and craft after the Straight Ahead debut. Infectious feel, good factor cuts like Happy Music and her personal favourite the luscious Got To Get Away, Love Only Knows and Feels So Good really do stand the test of time. Sheree duets harmoniously with Bernard Ighner on the ballad Tonight and showcases her acoustic love on a deceptive Can’t Live Without Love and bonus previously unreleased vocal folk scat album cut Keep On Trying. Featuring Patrice Rushen and Stevie Wonder’s captivating harmonica on On My Way Home this is “lush life” music like Wayne Henderson. Totally Awesome both albums due out on Expansions. Fitzroy Sheree Brown - Just a Simple Love Do I like Sheree Brown I hear you ask?? Errh yes is the simple answer and never have I before reviewed three tracks from one artist in one issue. But this delicious music biscuit was inspired by the love the UK has shown Sheree that it made her go into the studio to recapture that live sound she created 30 years back. Strings acoustics a latin groove and Sheree’s almost ghost like and Minnie Ripperton quivering octaves simply describe my passion for this single - available on ITunes as a download. Fitzroy Liquid Love - Johnty Wilks feat Beverly Johnty Wilks the saxophonist brings that Carlos Garnett spiritual jazz essence that is very reminiscent of some of the jazz, hip hop beat productions I was playing around 20 years back.

Being very earthy, haunting and yet captivating, it could quite easily fit nicely on a chill-out lounge/smooth jazz CD comp, an advert or a movie soundtrack. There’s a trickle of some flute influences and an almost glockenspiel echoed overtone on the keyboard stabs that make this quite hypnotic. With an atmospheric, minimal and ambient female vocal and precise horn placement, I’m giving this a thumbs up, so check out Johnty’s Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/johntywilks Sy Smith - Syberselects (Psyko Records) Having witnessed Sy Smith live, this selection will orbit you to her Syberspace of unique galactic funk, jazz, soul and fusion. Sy, who scats and ad-libs skillfully, wrote 14 out of the 15 tracks and her versatility on Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness, Fly Away With Me and Fa Sho, confirm why she rocked the Jazz Cafe with Zo! March 6th 2011. Spiritually moving Runnin’ (Jah Child) retains the continuing afrocentric message with a captivating twist simulating an acoustic Roy Ayers meet Fela groove. The words and delivery of Conflict are quite hypnotic, whilst Sy steps up the tempo on the jazz drum & bass B Side Love Affair and The Art Of You cuts. Sy’s metaphoric writing on her ballads Bruise and Distance relay the emotional, internal, painful mourning and absent longing of loved ones respectively. Fitzroy

SEND IN YOUR REVIEWS OR TRACKS FOR REVIEW TO fitzroy@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk 07956 312931 The Soul Survivors, PO Box 377, West Malling, Kent ME6 9DQ 26 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Great Soul collection for sale 7 inchers - 12 inchers and lPs Too many to list Old soulboy selling Please ring Mel on 07815 575109 for more details All in good condition and loved

ADVERTISE HERE EVENTS, VINYl, BUSINESS, WANTED ITEMS WHATEVER YOU lIKE! JUST £40

The Soul Survivors are currently selling tickets for: We Love Soul (24/4 & 30/5) The Mansion Party (18/6/11) The Essex Soul Weekender (17-19/6/11) Med Soul (17-24/9/11) Egyptian Soul (Feb 2012) Call: 01732 844246 email: anna@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk fitzroy@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk See weekly email for regular updates.

Would you like us to sell tickets for your events?

Give us a call now!

Coach, Party & Accommodation Options Prices start at £15

Call Fitzroy on 07956 312931 or email fitzroy@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Out The Box

......its not all four to the floor you know! Words DJ Marcia Carr I have to confess that I hadn’t been a fan of the Baduizm musical philosophy since her days of ‘On & On’. However, an attractive new rework of ‘Window Seat’ has come to my attention by Erykah Badu could make an admirer out of me yet. Live guitar licks from Slikk Tim run parallel to the beats of producer/DJ Paris Cesvette from London with plenty of chord string melody translate rather well, enhancing the original tempo of the track. Considering there are more standard type House remixes about, Cesvette’s deliver a danceable Boogie jive that soul and real house enthusiasts can work with – seek out this must have.

There’s an emergent sound coming from the streets of Bristol by way Circle of Funk who present their sixth label release for Slapped Up Soul records; an EP entitled ‘Connections’ featuring the rising star of UK vocal house Natasha Watts. All four COF members are behind this two-tracker; it’s very solid and cleanly cut. The bumper beats and leading bass line on the On the flip, the B-side highlights 80’s synths as popularised by a lot of New York dance tracks which purports to be the main feature of the second track ‘Be Gone’. As edgy as these keys are, which lay alongside Watt’s solid vocal performance, the balance of a steady house beat running underneath the track has more of a soulful dance feel than being heavy club banger - two bonus Instrumentals are included for explorative DJ’s out there.

Alternative electronic label Scion continue to set themselves up looking for that something with a little more edge with substance. Welcome then Mick Collins who is the front man for Detroit garage indie band The Dirtbombs, and mastermind behind this commemorative EP release which pays homage to his musical youth - self indulgent suicide it isn’t, but I’d say it is a welcomed kick up the backside for underground Dance. Detroit house DJ Omar S’s filters out ‘Sharevari’, handclaps aplenty gently overwhelm scratchy guitar delays on Ectomorph’s remake of techno classic ‘Jaguar’ with top prize to 19 year old Kyle Hall, whose looped meandering, high frequencies and grimy tech house redressing of Carl Craig’s ‘Bug In The Bassbin’ is sheer brain-freezing soulful bliss. Out now.

New York based, soulful vocalist Mariella holds a distinctive lyrical lash; raspy and softly defined. Her sassy debut co-written Rogue Pop single ‘Lovesick’ is taken from the forthcoming Mariella EP released through US indie Tru Statement Entertainment, late spring 2011. Alive with rampant bass and moody moog inserts by Lex Sadler, coasting guitar licks neatly slotted in by Nic Coolidge, while a bed of beefy beats from D-sig gives a nod to an elemental rhythm in house music, along with Vickie Natale’s lithe soulful-like backing vocals which enhance the live feel of this delicate song - perfect for outdoor festivals. Crafty swinging, hip house this isn’t, and nor is it merely another self indulgent piece of high flyer pop music. Club kids that like their R & B with an edgier tack and punch will quickly be drawn to the original radio-friendly version - destined to be a huge hit on the air- DJ Marcia Carr (MOS/FR waves. Flexing things on an alternate sound signature is man of the ~Prick up your eQuencies/LadyBugz/Boglew altz) ears dance floor moment Mark de Clive Lowe with a gorgeous deeper house 1. Soul Ele selection~ ment feat. Peve n Everett - How remix of synth keys, reminiscent of the nineties sound of Detroit (GU True Peak Ba d I Want Ya Time Mix) Hous e 4 Life techno. Indeed, it’s a worthy and strong display. Offering an exper- 2. Gregory Porter - 1960 W hat (Opolopo kic imental boost in Dubstep, DJ/producer Crisis Kid cleverly reversMotéma Music k & bass Rerub) es Mariella’s vocals and then weaves it amongst grating saw tooth 3. Mariella - Lovesick (MdC L rem synths that line up with a percolating dubby rhythm to follow the ix) Tru Statement En tertainment teasing built up intro. Bound for DJs set where the more grimy the 4. Snoretex - Strange Aeons (SJU Muzic Etern sound the more this will have heads tilting in awe on dance floors. Buzzin Fly ity Mix) 5. Kerri Chandle r - Peace Of Mind (Ozone EP) Madhouse 6. Beatchild - Wa r Within feat. Eb rahim & Tinsek BBE 7. Natasha Watts – Co Slapped Up Soul nnections EP: Soulstream (M ain) Send 12”s and CDs for review consideration to: 8. Soul Renega des - Survival (S urvival EP) TALKING MUSIC PRODUCTIONS Soul Free c/o 22 Eton Close, London SW18 4UD 9. Murray Richard son DJ booking/enquires: +44 (0) 7949 769 379 Baker Street Re - Order (Order & Progress EP ) cordings Find me on MinistryofSound.com radio every Sunday 8-10pm 10. BlackByrd - Gill's Groove (M arcia DVMC Feel + co-hosting with Sy Sez on Colourful radio once a month on It Mix) cd-r

For the latest info on gigs with me and LadyBugZ check http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59753396276 www.myspace.com/marcia_c www.myspace.com/ladybugzworldLADYBUGZ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47372132317

Thursdays.

28 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Event reviews/letters Giants Of Rare Groove III @ Indig02 3-3-11 It was Sheree Brown's first live appearance in the UK, and she had an instant rapport with the audience and when she performed 'It's a Pleasure' the crowd sang along to her most successful song to date. Sheree made a lasting and impressive impact as a live performer.

The Valentine Brothers' performance was slick and vocally strong. Performing their hits 'Money's (too tight to mention), 'Lonely Nights' and 'Just Let me be Close to You'. A wonderfully exuberant performance.

Jean Carne performed a tailor made set perfect for tonight’s audience. Including 'We've Got Some Catching Up', she performed two lesser known tracks 'Heartache' and 'Early Morning Love'. Jean always likes to take song requests from the audience and perform them acappella and tonight sang 'Trust Me'.

Her final song was the evergreen classic 'Don't Let it go to Your Head'.

Leon Ware was the finale in this stunning quartet. Performing charismatically some of his co-written songs 'I Wanna be Where You are', 'Looking up to You' and 'I Want You' showcased how talented Leon is. Sheree Brown returned on stage to duet with Leon on the late Minnie Ripperton's 'Inside my love', and it was clear to see and hear Sheree’s vocal influences from her heroine.

Amazing concert next Giants of Rare Groove III returns later in the year.

Frank McComb at Jazz Cafe 30-1-11 A full capacity fan based audience descended on the Jazz Cafe to see Frank McComb live... which is truly a revelation .

On record he has the lush, soulful vocals that have been compared to Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, but also his vocal phrasing and keyboard skills are also comparable to these two musical genius's.

Tonight was all about "Jazzfusion" and the set was very reminiscent of Herbie Hancock's 'Headhunters'. Frank's 2006 instrumental album 'Tribute to the Masters’, pays homage to many of his musical influences, and obviously Herbie is one of them. The musical skills of the entire band were truly exemplary and the only disappointment for me was we didn't hear his wonderful version of Stevie's 'Golden Lady' despite the crowd shouting out that request, but we forgave him!

If you get the chance to catch Frank next time he plays live, you will not be disappointed, a truly amazing artist to see live.

Miss Sparkle (Stomp Radio Sundays 11pm-1am) Sy Smith & Zo! Jazz Cafe 6-3-11 Paul Aaron’s Keep The Faith events showcased two of America's finest musical enthusiasts, Sy Smith and Zo! Stomping the Jazz Cafe like Chic at The Savoy with a full live band show. Songstress Elisha LaVerne sang songs from her 10K Above EP to rapturous applause. With Zo! on keyboards and Sy’s vocal command and stage presence, we were whipped into a musical frenzy as Sy performed her classics Ain't Nobody's Bizness and Fa Sho. From Zo!‘s Sunstorm project we heard Sy on The Greatest Weapon Of All Time, a rendition of This Could Be The Night and Zo!‘s creative tribute Flight Of The Blackbyrds. The live band sound enhanced fur30 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

ther Zo!‘s visionary work of quality contemporary soul. Sy’s enigmatic personality enthralled the audience on occasion with great comedic timing and delivered an inspiring impromptu version a TQC Check The Rhyme sample and Minnie’s Baby This Love I Have For You. DJ Kay was off firing with his fab tab set...

Awesome concert!! Fitzroy Giants of Rare Groove What a great show, though I will say that I thought the artists should have come on in reverse order? My reasoning? Sheree Brown was an unknown commodity, and she was excellent.

She really started the show right with well performed great songs. The Valentine brothers again have great music, but were a unknown live act. What a show they put on. By the end of it the crowd was rocking, and even though there seemed 50 - 60% capacity in the arena, I haven't heard such a vibe in that place at any time last year, apart from Teena Marie, which was a sell out! Jean Carne was her usual smooth self, and personally after the buzz from the Valentine brothers, was probably a little too smooth. Leon Ware, well he is a legend, and didn't disappoint. As he reminded us, he is 71 years old, so wasn't flying around the stage. Nice duet with Sheree, and overall a nice show. The dj set for the after party carried on the vibe for the night and dropped a nice session. Mellow A (soulradiouk.com Sundays 10pm-Midnight) BIG STUFF Warehouse Style Parti @ Camden, Feb Hosted by Barrie K Sharpe and Femi Fem - well you know with these guys you're gonna hear a good selection of sounds, funk, hip hop, reggae, soul, disco... but what of the venue? Well, warehouse style is right on the button! This funki venue sure didn't disappoint on both inside and outside space. Drinks were a reasonable price too! All the hungry regulars were there and plenty of new blood, together with some long lost faces - an altogether friendly vibe. Woolies couldn't have pick and mixed it better! Same time, same place - April 2nd! Nike - Just Do It! JAZZFUNKSOUL 9th Birthday @ Charlie Wrights From Big Stuff we convoyed it to Charlie Wrights to party with Neville, Solar Radio and our own Fitzroy who were spinning some sweet sounds. I love this event, it’s always relaxed, always great music and dancers and always lots of laughs! If you've never tried it you need your head read!

SOULIISOUL LIVE @ The Roundhouse, Camden All credit to the Soul2Soul Collective for keeping the vibe alive!

The place was throbbing with a loving race, dancing to the thumping base and I had a huge smile on my face. I don't think there was one inch of floorspace left! The stage was graced by the "funki alphabets" themselves along with the magnificent voices of Rose Windross, Kym Mazelle, Caron Wheeler, Charlotte Kelly and the fabulous regulars Emma-Louise Bucknor, Samantha Pennells and Jody Findley - I cannot begin to convey how each and every one of these voices raised the roof! The fab Funky Ginger, Simon Law jet-setted in to tinkle those ivories to perfection. In fact so much respect to all the musos. Every person on that stage and behind it contributed to the rolling back of many years for the crowd. Good music sure is better than the fountain of youth. Quantity and Quality... could you ask for more?

Veronica xxx

Jazz And Soul By The Canal During the last 26 years I have visited many soul music venues across the country and I have to say that the Freestylin' event organised by Colin Curtis, Roger Williams and Tony Cooney has to be one of the nicest venues for décor, vibe and the music. This event which takes place bi-monthly from 5pm till midnight on a Sunday at the Mark Addy bar in Salford is attended by a mature crowd from across the North West. The music policy is JAZZ and SOUL of the highest value, mainly new with a few quality oldies thrown in.

Tony Cooney, who was originally a Northern soul punter, starts proceedings with a Jazzy warm up set. Tony loves his imports from Japan, Italy and Germany. He is a forward thinking JAZZ fan but has a dislike for USA smooth jazz format. The floor was packed for his 9am Latin & bossa nova set, he knows his choons. The legend, that is Colin Curtis, treated the crowd with Soulful Jazzy house and upfront soul. Curtis is what it says on the tin “Quality”. Roger Williams, who in my view is now the North West's Number 1 for upfront mature soul, played a lounge set fit for the Blackpool Hilton to a packed dance floor.

Freesylin' is fresh and different from other venues within the North West - check it out.

Raph Parkinson, North West Soul Survivor FUNK ATTACK @ Pizza Express – Maidstone (5/2/11) Billed as ‘the new musical revolution on the live scene’.

Therefore – expectation was high.

A lively ensemble comprising; Ernie McKone on bass, Brian Henry on keyboards, Dan Bingham on drums and Ricky on lead guitar. We anticipated Louise Pollock on vocals as billed, but were certainly not disappointed with Katie Leone who more than satisfied with her versatile range and lively stage presence.

The first set started with some mellow numbers including Roy Ayer’s ‘Sunshine’, and Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’, with a slightly up-tempo take. A classy rendition of Eryka Badu’s ‘On and On’ and the next track, Prince’s ‘Break it Down’ allowed for Katie’s range to be fully exploited and revealed the two extremes of her voice repertoire.

The second set demonstrated what was written on the tin, ‘Funk Attack’. What went before was good, but just a warm up for this session! More lively and definitely an attack of Funk.

Ernie’s bass took charge with excellent support from Dan on drums and solo exhibitions from Brian Henry which even allowed him to show off with his talk box (vocoder). Herbie Hancock, watch out!

Featured artists in this set included Rufus and Chaka, Prince’s ‘I Want To Be Your Lover’ and ‘Be Happy’ by Mary J Blige. The audience went mad for The Fatback Band’s ‘I Found Loving’, and then we all calmed down for a very soulful take on Sam Sparrow’s ‘Black and Gold’. This track allowed Katie to rest her voice while we were treated to a real jazz-funk blast from the band. This was followed up by a superb rendition of Chaka Kahn’s ‘What Cha Gonna Do For Me’ and a first class encore comprising of Teena Marie’s ‘Behind the Groove’. A perfect end to the evening and the food was good too!

If you get a chance of a future ‘Funk Attack’, don’t miss it – you won’t be disappointed.

Contributed by Simon Miller Blackburn: Kings Hall Soul Night (29-1-11) Having heard good reports regarding this night that happens every few months, I travelled from the Midlands in a friend’s car which took us 3 and a half hours! Reaching Blackburn around 6.30pm we booked into our hotel and got ready for a stormin’ night.

Arriving at the Kings Hall around 10pm, the venue looked like a Town Hall which I think it is and the patrons entering the venue looked mature and smart. We entered to the R&B sounds of the 90’s-2000s era, the floor looked spacious with nice decor and an inviting atmosphere. After a while we ventured downstairs to the sounds of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes “Bad Luck”. The first DJ on that floor was my favourite mixing a good range of Funk and Disco, with a large dancefloor where you could really express yourself, this was where we spent most of the night.

Wayne Hemmingway the designer (Red or Dead) took to the decks with his selection of Northern Soul, Funk, Rare Grooves & Disco. He had quite good taste in his selection, not playing the obvious tunes.

During the evening we wandered up to the top floor, the Northern Soul room, which was well attended and also a large room. Back to the bottom floor where Colin Curtis took to the decks playing his usual quality set.

If you venture to this event in the future you will hear black music from the 60s through to the present spread out over 3 floors. I would recommend this night highly so look out for future events and get yourself up there.

Simon from Leicester Anthony David - Bush Hall London W12 - February -2011 Dome secured a nice intimate venue via Bush Hall W12 for an acoustic live session with Anthony David. Young Louise Golbey's warm up set was appreciated and applauded by a warm and receiving audience. Anthony David was faultless as he interacted with his devoted fans and shared his passion, love for music and life hailing from Atlanta. He charmed a busy audience with numbers from his new As Above So Below album including God Said, Level 42’s Something About You and a haunting reality rendition of Backstreet. You could hear a pin drop, his vocal command was that powerful, which is a rare treat at a live performance. Anthony’s presence is mesmerizing and he’s a complete gent, signing autographs and taking photo’s after in the foyer. A great school night out!! Fitzroy

We would love to hear your reviews of the events you have been to lately. Please do forward your review and photos and we will publish. anna@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk 32 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

Egyptian Soul The name conjures up so many strange and conflicting images, the reader is immediately intrigued. Knowing the intrepid Dave Rainham and his soul partner Viktoria are the promoters of this event the reader feels compelled to read on. Yes, it’s Medsoul only in Egypt, and it’s all inclusive. Nuff said, I’m in. Living in the north of Norway, I booked my flights from Tromsø to Oslo then Oslo to Sharm el Sheik, not your usual milk run but I managed to get connecting flights with only a few hours wait between them. Then the revolution came to Cairo .

Despite Scott-Heron’s claim, the revolution was televised and it looked ugly for a while, but only for a while. Dave reassured us, kept cool and explained his experienced sociology and geography of Egypt; this is a revolution contained within Cairo and cities in the north of Egypt. The charming Sharm is 650km away and the locals, though happy if things change, are proud and grateful that tourists, like our valiant group, persisted in their endeavours to go through with their travel plans. Unfortunately the Scandinavian Foreign Ministries panicked and recommended cancellations of all travel to Egypt until after Easter.

Thankfully the British are made of more robust and thoughtful stuff, though some tour operators did cancel their flights, which again impacted on some of those who had booked Egyptian Soul. I almost thought of cancelling my own trip but that thought was crushed under the subsequent thoughts of meeting my friends from Med Soul, listening and dancing to the great music I knew would be played, and the 24 hour all inclusive package.

I managed to get a flight from Gatwick to Sharm with a British tour operator but I had to change my domestic flights in Norway and book flights to and from London. So, I left my home town of Tromsø at 9am on the Saturday and travelled the 1700km to

Oslo, hung around the airport in Oslo for a few hours drinking beer at 9 quid a half litre, I kid you not, got a flight to London Heathrow, another 1200 km, then took the bus down to Gatwick for the flight to Sharm el Sheik, that flight another 4000km, almost 7000km one way. I hung around Gatwick all Saturday night, an adventure in itself, and met up with some of my fellow Egyptian Soul travellers in the morning, after 24 hours of travelling the real journey begins. I expected a lot of talk and discussion surrounding the revolution in Egypt but that conversation actually lasted about five minutes, we were all so happy to see each other, catching up and comparing memories of the previous Med Soul was much more important.

The resort was magical, the rooms spacious and with lovely views of the sea, beach and, not least the beach bar, the venue for our daily soul gatherings, and what gatherings they were.

We wallowed warmly in the sun; 25 degrees Celsius on average every day, listening to choons of chill and cool, and after a quick mouthful of all-inclusive drinkie, danced to those wellloved familiar tracks, sand under our feet, smiles glued to our faces, surrounded by good friends. The nightclub itself was high-roofed with undulations and pillars not unlike the Bat Cave.

The sound system was high-quality and the choons, ah the choons our DJ’s played, they soared and swept, they bounced off the roof and walls, thumped with rhythm in our hearts, reached our souls like other choons can’t, and we immersed ourselves in the groove, the everlasting funk, those sublimely soulful choons and we danced again, we never stopped dancing. So roll on Febuary 20th-27th 2012 when we do it all again, here is the website for any one interested in coming along next year www.egyptiansoul.co.uk and quote Soul Survivors please.

Johnny Hansen

CHARTS Keep The Faith Top Ten DJ Chart March/April 2011 The Beast "No Escape" - Revivalist J Soul "It's That Love" - Black Out Studios Opolopo "Take It Slow" - Tokyo Dawn Stutta "Rewind Time" - promo Maqman ft. Joseph Junior & Selina Campbell "Patience" - promo Jae Franklin "Is There Any Love" promo Marsha Ambrosius "With You" - Sony Porsche Smith - "Goodbye" - promo Elisha La'Verne "Get Away" - iTunes AfroBeatles "Tax Man vs Upside Down" - promo Compiled by Paul Aaaron for KeepTheFaithEvents.com & KeepTheFaithful.com 34 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

My Top Ten Tracks of Blackpool 2011 Slave - Snapshot Change - The very best in you John Stoddart - More than you and me Geno Young - Paper thin Archie Bell - Harder and Harder Case - Love 2 Love Shirley Jones - Positively Absolutely Fahren - My soul Leon Thomas - Love each other Kem - Your on my mind

Peace & Love Andy Young - Glasgow

YOUR PHOTOS SY SMITH

ANTHONY DAVID

LEON & SHEREE

JEAN CARNE

BILLY VALENTINE

SHEREE BROWN

BILLY & VIVY B

JEAN, FITZROY, SHEREE

LEON WARE

EGYPTIAN SOUL FEB 2011

If you send them in we’ll try and put them in. email to anna@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk PATRICE & DELROY

What’s goin’ on?

SATURDAY 2 APRIL

Starpoint Radio Tour Party @ Holiday Inn Sutton, Gibson Rd, London SM1 2RF 3pm-2am Beyond-Soul @ The Black Sheep Cafe Bar, 60 Camberwell New Rd, SE5 0RS 9pm til 3am.

DJ's Dezzi D/Keith G/Ronnie T/ + Guests £5 Love Fever @ Shoreditch Studios, 29 New Inn Yard, Hoxton, E2 2EY, £10/£12 with DJ Sprinkes. 10pm - 5am Kent Soul Sessions @ BAR 59, High St, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0BB. Contact Tony on 07850761608 for info

SUNDAY 3 APRIL

UKSoulJam Easter Special @ The Jazz Cafe, with Lifford (Artful Dodger/Wookie), UK Gospel Choirs & more.

FRIDAY 8 APRIL

M&M Vol 11 Launch @ East Village, EC2

SATURDAY 9 APRIL

Benny Troy Live @ Fulbourn Sports Club, Capitol Park, Cambridge Rd, CB21 5BQ.8-1am £10. DJs Chris Brown, Martin Stanford, Jamie Trundle & David Hayden.

Soul on the Harbour @ Jacksons Wharf, York St, Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DS Free, 8 till 1 with East Kent Soul Connection DJs. Treacle Soul @ Queens Head, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. 8-late DJ's: Guest Tony 'TC' Simmons. Marcus Bell, Keith Long & Dave Blow, JazzFunkSoul @ Charlie Wrights, 45 Pitfield St, N1 6DA Resident DJs Neville, Colin Scott, & Stevie Day 10pm - 4am Suite Soul @ The Foxbar Hotel, London Road, Kilmarnock Scotland. 8 till 2am £7 OTD Bob Jeffries & guests Terry Jones and Ricky Reid.

SUNDAY 10 APRIL

Bilal @ Jazz Cafe, Camden, London NW1 Shut Up & Dance @ Raving Buddha, 77 Goldhawk Rd, London W12 from 7pm

London N1 9JL with Ash Selector & James Anthony. 10.30pm - 4am £10 Northern Soul & Motown @ The Cairn Hotel, Harrogate. 7pm-1am DJs Yocky, Ian Gee, Martin Stanford, Julian Metcalfe & Jamie Trundle

SUNDAY 17 APRIL

The 4th Denton CC All-dayer @ Denton CC, Egerton St, Denton, Manchester, M34 3PW 3pm-late, Dj's Gareth Butterworth, Tony Shawcross, Steve Morgan and many more.

The Village @ East Village, 89 Gt Eastern St, EC2A 3HX. DJs Ed Stokes, Ginger Tony & Phil Levine with jazzy funky stuff. 2-11pm Free

THURSDAY 21 APRIL

Fresh, Sweet & Sexy @ Dingwalls, Camden with Paul Trouble Anderson, Nick Power & guests. (See Ad) SoulBrew 9th Brithday Party @ East Village, 89 Gt Eastern St, EC2A 3HZ £5 Adv £8 OTD

FRIDAY 22 APRIL

Timepiece @ Leaf, 65-67 Bold St, Liverpool 8pm till late £10 DJs Les Spaine and Charlie C Soul @ The Harbour Lounge, Torviscas, Tenerife 5pm-5am €15 Djs Collin Patterson & Ket Shah

FRIDAY 22-24 APRIL

Clacton Bank Holiday Soul Weekender @ Comfort Hotel, Clacton - 3 days of classic soul, funk & rare groove - DJ's Stretch Taylor, Ash Selector, Scott James, Marky Mark & more

FRIDAY 15 & 16 APRIL

Soul Shack @ Surya, 156 Pentonville Rd,

36 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

THURSDAY 28 APRIL

Rapheal Saadiq @ Shepherds Bush Empire.

THURS 28 APRIL-5 MAY 2011 Soul in the Algarve @ Alvor, Portugal. soulnetwork.co.uk SOLD OUT!

FRIDAY 29 APRIL

Carrol Thompson @ The Jazz Cafe, Camden.

SATURDAY 30 APRIL

Saturday Groove “Weekender Anthems” Party @ Badlands, Silver St, Bedford. £5 DJs Ash Selector, Mike Shade & Steve Lane.

ThrowBaak @ Babalou, St Matthews Church, Brixton, SW2 1JF DJs: DJ 279, Rochelle De Lori, Jnr Mac & guest CJ Mackintosh. 10pm 5am (last entry 3am) £7 b4 Midnight or £10 after Soul Purpose @ Sketchley Grange Hotel Hinckley LE10 3HU 8-1 £5 DJ’s Mark Randle Sam Evans and Ginger Tony

SATURDAY 30 APRIL & 1 MAY Poogie Bell Band live @ Charlie Wrights, 45 Pitfield St, N1 (See Ad)

SUNDAY 1 MAY

BANK HOLIDAY SUNDAY 24 APRIL

FRIDAY 6 MAY

We Love Soul @ Hidden, SE11 (See Ad)

We Love Soul @ Hidden, SE11 (See Ad) Bank Holiday Soul Soiree @ Mansion Bar, Midland Rd, Derby. DE1 2SN. £3 9pm - late DJ’s - Devon Daley (BBC), Sharp EE (Hudson Bay), DP n J (Soul Fusion - Birm) Soul Sanctuary @ The Black Swan, Manchestser Rd, Hollins Green, Cheshire, WA3 6LA. Dj's Gareth Butterworth, Tony Shawcross & guest Geoff Allman 9-1am 70's 80's Soul Soul Funky @ Bromley Football Stadium, Hayes Lane, Bromley, BR2 9EF. Contact Steve on 07740 351163 Candy Staton live @ Jazz Cafe, Camden

FRIDAY 6 - 8 MAY 2011

Southport Weekender @ Minehead, Somerset

Conya Doss with support from Jeff Hendrick Live @ Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1.

SATURDAY 16 APRIL

Amp Fiddler live @ The Jazz Cafe, Camden.

Soul Odyssey presents Sister Sledge, Gwen Dickey, Jaki Graham live in concert @ HMV Forum (See Advert)

Soultrain @ Panache, All Saints St, Bristol, BS1 2LZ (See Ad) Zumba Soul, Charity Night @ Mill Hall, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh, Essex. Adv tickets £10 or £15 OTD. Ghetto Heaven @ 3 Blind Mice, Ravey St, Shoreditch. With DJ Stretch Taylor's selection of quality funk, soul, hip hop, reggae & R&B

WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL

EASTER SATURDAY 23 APRIL

FRIDAY 15 APRIL

30 Years of Brit Funk @ Indigo2, Greenwich

Easter Soul Cruisin’ @ Aboard The Golden Sunrise, Blackfriars millennium Pier, EC4 £22 Filthy Soul Alldayer @ Hobgoblin Pub, 73 White Lion St, Islington, London, N1 9PF. Free 2pm-midnight. Dj`s Wayne Arbon, Marcus Bell, Neil Forbes, Andy Jones and many more.

Fresh ‘n’ Funky @ The Borderline, Orange Yard, 16 Manette Street, London W1D 4AR (See Ad)

The Soul Survivors Radio Shows with Fitzroy da Buzzboy Every Thursday 6-9pm

7/4 - Guest - John Morales 12/5 -Guest - Morgan Khan

Sunday 9-11pm

April 10th & 24th May 8th & 22nd

Tuesday 7-9pm

April 26th May 24th

Where you can find Fitzroy and a bundle of mags!

April 8th M&M Vol 11 Launch @ East Village EC2 9th Funky Sensation @ Ronnie Scotts W1 22nd QDos @ Orsett Cock, Essex 24th We Love Soul @ Hidden, SE11 28th April - May 5th @ Soul In The Algarve May 6th Ali Cambell (UB40) Concert, Indigo2 (DJ Support) 27-28th Luxury Soul - Birmingham 29th We Love Soul @ Hidden, SE11

SATURDAY 7 May

Soul on the Harbour @ Jacksons Wharf, York St, Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DS Free, 8 till 1 with East Kent Soul Connection DJs. Groovesville Soul Club @ The Tudor Oaks Lodge, Taylors Rd, Astwick, Nr Hitchin, Herts, SG5 4AZ 8-3am £6 OTD. Wooden Floor DJs Steve Guarnori, Molly, Dr Pickles & guests.

Kent Soul Sessions @ BAR 59, High St, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0BB. Contact Tony on 07850761608 for info.

THURSDAY 12 MAY

SATURDAY 14 MAY

Funk & Soul Reunion @ Oceana Nightclub, Lower Parliament St, Nottingham, NG1 3BB (See Ad)

FRIDAY 3 JUNE

FIRST UK APPEARANCE IN 27 YEARS

SINGING THEIR CLASSICS

IT'S A LOVE THING•AND THE BEAT GOES ON•ROCK STEADY

SATURDAY 14 MAY 2011 AND MANY MORE HITS

indigO2 at The O2

TICKET INCLUDES EXCLUSIVE AFTER PARTY WITH DJ'S PLAYING FUNK, SOUL AND CLASSICS ALL NIGHT THROUGH TO 2AM WWW.TICKETMASTER.CO.UK 0844 844 0002 | WWW.SEETICKETS.COM 0871 230 1097 | WWW.TICKETLINE.CO.UK 0871 424 4444 WWW.ULTIMATEBOOGIENIGHT.COM • WWW.THEO2.CO.UK/INDIGO2

Treacle Soul @ Queens Head, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. DJ's: Guest Mark Chappell 'Stavros' big Hawaii 5 0. Marcus Bell, Keith Long & Dave Blow 8 - late JazzFunkSoul @ Charlie Wrights, 45 Pitfield St, N1 6DA Resident DJs Neville, Colin Scott, & Stevie Day 10pm - 4am

FRIDAY 20 MAY

Ghetto Heaven @ 3 Blind Mice, Ravey St, Shoreditch. With DJ Stretch Taylor's selection of quality funk, soul, hip hop, reggae & R&B

SATURDAY 21 MAY

Soul Network Algarve Reunion Party @ Cape Bar

Soul Funky @ Bromley Football Stadium, Hayes Lane, Bromley, BR2 9EF. Contact Steve on 07740 351163

SATURDAY 4 JUNE

Soul on the Harbour @ Jacksons Wharf, York St, Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DS Free, 8 till 1 with East Kent Soul Connection DJs. Kent Soul Sessions @ BAR 59, High St, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0BB. Contact Tony on 07850761608 for info Soul Purpose @ Sketchley Grange Hotel Hinckley LE10 3HU 8-1 £5 DJ’s Mark Randle Sam Evans and guests

Luxury Soul Weekend @ Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

(See Advert)

SATURDAY 28 MAY

Feel Soul @ The Old Regency Suite (Now Rendezvous), Chadwell Heath Hi Rd, Essex 9-3am DJs Ginger Tony, Colin Reid and more.. £6 B4 11pm £10 after. £5 guestlist.

ThrowBaak @ Babalou, St Mattews Church, Brixton, SW2 1JF DJs: DJ 279, Rochelle De Lori, Jnr Mac and Dave VJ. 10pm - 5am (last

38 www.thesoulsurvivors.co.uk

SUNDAY 26 JUNE

The Village @ East Village, 89 Gt Eastern St, EC2A 3HX. DJs Ed Stokes, Ginger Tony & Phil Levine with jazzy funky stuff. 2-11pm Free

SATURDAY 2 JULY

Soul on the Harbour @ Jacksons Wharf, York St, Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DS Free, 8 till 1 with East Kent Soul Connection DJs. Stevenage Soul Club @ Stevenage Town RC, North Rd, SG1 4BB with Djs Paul & Audley 7.30pm - 12.30am £5 in advance

FRIDAY 29-30 JULY

Vintage 2011 @ Southbank Centre, London.

FRIDAY 29-31 JULY SunceBeat2 @ Croatia

SATURDAY 17 - 24 SEPTEMBER

The Impressions & The Curtom Orchestra @ The Barbican (See Ad)

Riding High @ The Vibe Bar, Brick Lane, E1 7.30 till 11.30pm DJ Abi Clarke plays rare grooves, lovers rock, 80s soul, boogie, neo soul

FRIDAY 10 JUNE

EVERY TUESDAY EVERY FRIDAY

Groove Lineage Soul @ Hobgoblin N1, £Free, 9pm-2am with Paul Aaron & Guests.

FRIDAY 27 MAY

FRIDAY 27 -29 MAY 2011

Summer Soulstice 5

UKSoulJam @ The Jazz Cafe

SUNDAY 5 JUNE

Terri Walker live @ Jazz Cafe, Camden

Ghetto Heaven @ Slaughtered Lamb, Great Sutton St, Clerkenwell - With DJ Stretch Taylor

SATURDAY 25 JUNE

Med Soul @ 4* Spa Resort, 4 Live Concerts, 15+ Dj's £50 deposit £240 p.p + Flight Live concert with Shaun Escoffery www.medsoul.co.uk Quote The Soul Survivors

MONDAY 23 MAY

Back to Love @ Zingara, 295 Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent. (See Ad)

Mansion Party @ Secret location with Soul Network.

SUNDAY 29 MAY

We Love Soul @ Hidden, SE11 (See Ad) Soultrain @ Panache, All Saints St, Bristol, BS1 2LZ (See Ad) Soul on the Harbour Alldayer @ Jacksons Wharf, York St, Ramsgate Kent CT11 9DS Free, 12pm-12am with East Kent Soul Connection DJs.

Avery Sunshine with support from Heston @ The Union Chapel, London N1

The Whispers live @ The Indigo2 at the O2, Greenwich.

Tickets from ticketmaster.co.uk, seetickets.com, ticketline.co.uk (See Ad)

entry 3am) Only £7 before Midnight or £10 after So Soulful 70’s @ The Ley Inn, Back Lane, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, PR6 7EU 8-1pm DJs Eddy Edmondson, Steve Plumb & more.

THURS 16 - SUN 26 JUNE

1st WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

FRIDAY 17 - 19 JUNE

Funk & Soul @ Anise, 9 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YL Soul, Funk, Boogie & Disco DJ Sugaray & Guests.

(See Ad)

SATURDAY 18 JUNE

2ND WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

Grown & Sexy in Antiqua

Essex Soul Weekender @ The Garden Suite, The Thurrock Hotel, Ship Lane, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1YN essexsoulweekender.co.uk Omar live. QUOTE SOUL SURVIVORS George Clinton @ The HMV Forum, Kentish Town, London

Funk & Soul @ Anise, 9 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YL All things Funky. DJ Sugaray & Guests. (See Ad)

3RD WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

Funk & Soul @ Anise, 9 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YL Classic R&B, Hip Hop & Soul. DJ Sugaray & Guests. (See Ad)

SEND IN YOUR EVENT lISTINGS BY THE CUT OFF DATE 9TH MAY 2011 TO The Soul Survivors - anna@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk WE EMAIl EVENT REMINDERS OUT ONCE A WEEK. EMAIl YOUR DETAIlS IN TO RECEIVE UPDATES.

Soul Radio

WEEKDAYS (Mon-Fri)

8-10am Barry Jameson on Solar 1-4pm Dave Brown on Solar

MONDAYS

6-8pm Darrell’s Funk Box with Jazz Funk & Soul on soulpower-radio.com 7-9pm Clive Ashford Soul Show on www.romneymarsh.fm. Soul, disco, jazz funk 7-9pm Ian Henry with Soul, Jazz Fusion & funk on generationradio.co.uk 7-9pm Birdy's Menagerie on Zero Radio 7-10pm Rod Allsworth Classic Soul Show on Fyldefm.com 8-10pm Vibe Tribe Pt2 with Matt & Andy P on www.soulconnexion.com 9-11pm The Hot Box with Gary Turner on Zeroradio.co.uk Soul-jazz, nu-jazz & latin beat 10pm - Midnight Insatiable Soul with Roni O’Brien on Solar Radio

TUESDAYS 6-8pm Soul Connection with Mark Blee on banburyinternetradio.com Soul, jazz & Funk 7-10pm Soul & Motown Show with Kelly DJ on www.bigcityradio.org.uk or 89.1 8-10pm The Soul Affair with Chris Beggs www.soulpower-radio.com 8-10pm The Groove Collection with John Douglas on www.JFSR.co.uk 9pm-Midnight Stretch Taylor with the classy side of urban on Colourfulradio.com & DAB 9-Midnight Inside America Michael Speaks Da Costa on thesouloflondonradio.com

WEDNESDAYS 1-3pm Ian Henry with Soul, Jazz Fusion and funk on www.generationradio.co.uk 8-10pm Strictly Vinyl Sessions with Carl Dennie on www.pushfm.com the best in soul 8pm-12am Steve O'Mahoney playing Soul, Jazz & Funk www.radio789.net.ms 8pm Soul Syndicate with Peter P centreforcesessions.com 107.5fm time fm 9-11pm Des Locke Soul show. New & classic soul starpointradio.com 10pm-Midnight Good Groove Show with Ruth Fisher on solarradio.com or Sky 0129

THURSDAYS 6-9pm Soul Survivors Show with Fitzroy da Buzzboy on colourfulradio.com 6-8pm GMT Nu Soul Central with Tony Rodriguez on Solar Radio 7-9pm Ride da Rhythm with Hilary John @ www.station898fm.co.uk & 89.8fm London 7.30-9.30pm Angie D’s Diva got Soul Show on urbanjazzradio.net Neo, 80’s, soulful house 8-10pm Soulpower with Shaun Gallagher on www.soulpower-radio.com 8-10pm Nick Gunn’s Soul Armoury on zeroradio.co.uk. Jazz, Funk, Soul & Boogie 9.30-10.30pm Hidden Gems 60’s to new Soul on www.fcumradio.co.uk 10pm-Midnight Whistle & White Socks Brigade with Simon Ford on zeroradio.co.uk

Midnight-2am Soul Mix Show with Alan Powell on Solarradio.com

FRIDAYS Midnight-3am GMT Radical PR on www.jazzfm.com 7-10pm Rob Goodman on Key56 Radio.www.key56internetradio.com.

9-11pm Sammy Sam with Disco, Boogie, Soul & Jazz Funk starpointradio.com 11pm-1am Just Good Music with Dez Parkes on starpointradio.com 1-3am Barry King on starpointradio.com

SATURDAYS

8-10am Jump Start with Ginger Tony on Solar Radio. From nu-jazz to funk & jazz 8-10am Sunshineman on 89.8 FM London station898fm.net Jazz, Funk & Soul 9-11am MK Show on starpointradio.com with Mark, Ricky & Trevor. Soul, Funk, Rare 10am -12pm Soulful Saturdays with Ian Dee pointblank.fm 90.2fm Ldn. 10am-Midday The Early Bird Catching The Worm Show House FM with DJ Birdy 11am JL hosts the The Starpoint Radio UK Soul Chart on starpointradio.com. The definitive soul chart for soulful groovers.

11am-1pm 6MS SESSIONS Disco, soul, house, funk boogie on stompradio.com Midday-3pm Soul Syndicate on Time 107.5fm centreforcesessions.com Chris Phillips Midday-3pm Soul Expression with Akin on www.thesouloflondonradio.com Midday-2pm Groove Control Show with Ash Selector on solarradio.com 1-4pm Saturday Soulmine with Jon Layton on zeroradio.com 3pm Soul Syndicate with DJ Phillo centreforcesessions.com 107.5fm time fm 2-4pm Turn the Music up with James Anthony on solarradio.com Classic ‘n’ current Soul, Jazzfunk & Boogie 2-4pm Dancefloor Grooves with Jamie Taylor on www.banburyinternetradio.com 3-6pm Peter Young on Jazz FM. A mixture of old & new soul with ‘The Soul Cellar’ at 5pm 3-7pm Superior Rhythm Soul Show from Spain with Dean Freeman on exitefm.com 4-6pm Jazz Funk Soul with Neville on solarradio.com 2nd Saturday of month 4-6pm JJ’s Boogie Bunker with James Williams on www.zeroradio.co.uk 5-7pm Soul Show with Clive Ashford on absolutelyradiobug.net 70s-80s Soul & Disco 5-7pm The Morpheus Soul Show www.playvybz.com DJ Johnny Rebel 5-9pm Club Classics Chris Brown on Star 107.9/1 FM in Cambridge. Soul & Motown 6-8pm Soul Inspired with David Bishop on www.zeroradio.co.uk Classic 60’s–80’s Soul 6-9pm The Soul Testaments (1st Sat ) FunkGospel. Marcia Carr gforceradionetwork.com 7-10pm Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show on www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/funk_soul/

7-9pm Skippys Soul on NevisRadio.co.uk 10-1am A Touch of Soul with Devon BBC Derby 104.5fm, Notts 103.8fm & Lincs. 94.9fm

SUNDAYS

12 Midnight-3am Colin Faver on Solar A soulful mix of upfront & classic house/Beats 3-6am Calvin Francis on 96.9 FM www.choicefm.com Sky Digital 0114, R’n’B 9-11am Sandra C on stompradio.com 9-11sm Sunday Service with Brian Kelly on zeroradio.co.uk Jazz funk and soul 10am Robbie Vincent www.jazzfm.com 10-Midday The Sunday Soul Affair with Curly CJ starpointradio.com Jazz Funk & Soul 10am-Midday Soul Intimacy on New Style 98.7 FM West Midlands/newstyleradio.co.uk 12-2pm The Sunday Lunchtime Affair with Paul Stenning on Solar 12pm Soul Syndicate with Peter P centreforcesessions.com 107.5fm time fm 12-3pm The Soul Lounge with Andy H on www.JFSR.co.uk playing soul & jazz/funk 2pm-4pm Original Mastercuts with Ian Dewhirst & Alan Champ starpointradio.com 3-6pm Soul Syndicate with Bonnie DJ on centreforcesessions.com Time 107.5FM 3-6pm The Sunday Afternoon Affair with Sly Bang 103.6fm www.bangradio.fm 3-6pm Stumpi-Inspiration Show Soul on diversefm.com 102.8fm Herts, Beds & Bucks.

3-6pm Soul360 with Aitch B on www.colourfulradio.com & DAB London 4-6pm The Soul Cellar with Al B in Bristol. www.passionradiobristol.com 4-7pm Sunday T with Glen T. Soul ballads & rare groove classics on ramjamradio.com 4-7pm Ralph Tee on www.jazzfm.com 7-9pm Up Klose & Personal with Brother PJ on www.hot96.co.uk Jazz Funk & Soul 8-10pm Jazzpower with Shaun Gallagher on www.soulpower-radio.com 10pm-Mid Mellow A on soulradiouk.com 11pm-1am Miss Sparkle on stompradio.com JL’s Groove can be listened to on demand on www.celticradio.com Weekly podcasts on dazlingsoul.com live365.com/station/atomicdog65 24/7 webstream Soul, Jazz & Neo Soul If in Costa del Sol, check out global.fm Jeff Thomas Mon-Fri 2-5pm, Sun 9-Midday Podcast soulpower08.mypodcast.com Tony Poole on TKO Gold 106 Wks-9pm 96.7 & 87.7 FM in Spain or tkogold.com Marky Mark of Soul Motive with soul funk.ssradiouk.com/category/shows/soul-motive/ The Groove with Suzy Chase podcast shows on www.thegrooveradio.com VibeRide Podcast/radio Shows at VibeRide.org.uk

Please send changes in to anna@thesoulsurvivors.co.uk