My Top 5 Summer Soul Chart ...

There are so many good independent and authentic soul records out there in particular from UK artists. In fact so much, which has inspired me to compile a Top 5 chart. 

Keep an eye out on Blue Lab Beats, Nk-Ok and Mr DM, two guys from North West London ahead of their time influenced by jazz and hip hop. 

BBE have delivered a broken beat gem from North West London DJ Ziggy Funk. It's reignited my love of the broken beat sound, set to be one of the big tunes of the year. It's my One 2 Watch. 

Also great to see the return of Leroy Hutson with his forthcoming anthology which features two unreleased gems forthcoming on Acid Jazz. 

One 2 Watch - Ziggy Funk - Boxer's Fracture - New - BBE

Buy / Stream the album: https://bbemusic.lnk.to/boxerfra Ziggy Funk returns to BBE with his debut solo album, 'Boxer's Fracture'. An accomplished DJ in his own right, Ziggy makes up one half of Rhemi, the London production outfit currently riding high on the Soulful House scene thanks to stellar collaborations with Joey Negro, Louie Vega and Opolopo.

5 -  Eric Roberson - Lyrics of Pleasure featuring Will Downing - taken from the album Wind  - Dome

New song "Lyrics of Pleasure" featuring Will Downing available on WIND EP released July 21st. Available at www.ericrobersonmusic.com, iTunes, Google Play.

4 - Zepherin Saint feat Sara Divine - Hurry - Tribe Records

A long awaited collaboration between Sara Devine and Zepherin Saint took place in 2016 and this is the result. We look forward to being able to share the full version with you. Stay tuned to the Tribe channel for more info.

3 - Blue Lab Beats Keep Moving - Believe Recordings

New track from Blue Lab Beats called 'Keep Moving' (Feat. Nubya Garcia) taken from the Freedom EP. Pre-order: https://bluelabbeats.lnk.to/Freedom Connect with Blue Lab Beats: https://soundcloud.com/blue-lab-beats https://www.facebook.com/BlueLabBeats https://twitter.com/bluelabbeats ☞ https://twistedsoulboy.com ☞ https://soundcloud.com/twistedsoulmusic ☞ https://www.mixcloud.com/twistedsoulmusic ☞ https://twistedsoulmusic.tumblr.com ☞ https://twitter.com/Twistedsoulblog ☞ https://www.facebook.com/twistedsoulmusic * I do not possess Copyright this song, and not fund the creation of this song.

2 - Sir Piers - Long Distance feat Frank McComb - SO-UK

1 - Leroy Hutson - Positive Forces - Acid Jazz

Released in 2017 https://soulbrother.com/shop/positive-forcesall-because-of-you-inst/

Hear the chat in full this Sunday 3rd of September on the BBC Soul Show from 4pm on BBC Three Counties, BBC Radio Northampton, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, BBC Radio Norfolk, BBC Radio Suffolk and BBC Essex. Click here to listen live - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05cp422

BBC Soul Show

I'll be looking after the BBC Soul Show in the East this Sunday 3rd of September in for Soulman John Leech with guests and music from Brian Power, Ilana Lorraine, Decosta Boyce and Leroy Hutson. I'll be featuring my Summer Soul chart in the last hour of the show. 

Tune in Sunday from 4pm on BBC Three Counties, BBC Radio Northampton, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, BBC Radio Norfolk, BBC Radio Suffolk and BBC Essex. Click here to listen live http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05cp422

M.I.A's Meltdown Festival

I will be joining the panel at this year's Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre which will be curated by rapper and producer M.I.A. The panel will be focused on politics and music on whether musicians are becoming more political, should they and what political impact can artists really have. 

 

Evening Standard - Night Market

Pleased to announce I have been added to DJ line up to play at this month's Evening Standard Night Market at Perks Field, Kensington on the main stage.

I'll be DJing on the following dates.

Saturday 10th - 11-2am then 5 till 8pm

Wednesday 14th - 5.30 till 8pm

Saturday 17th  - 11 till 2 then 5 till 8pm 

COMIC RELIEF BUS TAKEOVER

On the eve of Red Nose Day, BBC Broadcaster and DJ Edward Adoo will fulfil one of his lifelong ambitions to become a bus conductor. Edward will be teaming up with Network Rail Chairman Sir Peter Hendy and Transport for London MD of Surface Transport, Leon Daniels.

Edward says, "I've always been fascinated by Routemaster buses, and started collecting them when I was two years old. Not the real ones though.

“Routemasters are the lifeblood of London life and culture, this is a dream come true to raise funds with two prominent figures in transport. We are doing this because we support Comic Relief and Red Nose Day and I hope our contribution can make a difference."

Laura Moss, BBC Three Counties Editor says, “We’re so excited for Ed to not only follow his passion, but raise money while doing it. Comic Relief and Red Nose Day are such brilliant charities that help local communities and causes that are so close to our hearts. We can’t wait for Ed to come back, and hear what happens ‘on the buses’.”

The Comic Relief Bus Takeover will be taking place on Thursday 23 of March from 3pm onwards with BBC Director General, Tony Hall, waving the group off from New Broadcasting House in London. The tour follows the number 189 route, from Oxford Circus to Brent Cross Shopping Centre. 

A few well known faces are expected to join in and passengers will be allowed to join Ed, Peter and Leon as well as making a contribution. 

London Belongs To Me

Very pleased to be joining forces with my former NME colleague Ben Osborne for his new music venture and monthly club night. London Belongs To Me celebrates the origins of London's club culture along with showcasing electronic music in the heart of Camden - Camden Lock.

The line up is incredible with some legendary names. More events are planned to take place. I will be DJing on May 4th. More info here - https://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?935503

STANDON CALLING 2017

So I have been added on to the line up for this year's Standon Calling taking place in Hertfordshire on 27th-30th of July.

Standon is different to other festivals, it offers an eclectic mix of music and curated by forward thinking music, arts and culture lovers.

More than a festival, Standon has a mix of musicians, comedy, cookery and crafts on offer as well. It's great to be involved.

Tickets are available click here for more info -

http://standon-calling.com/tickets.

 

MOBO PRE AWARDS 2016

Pre MOBO awards took place at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square, London on Thursday 27th of October. The pre awards ceremony celebrates the best in R & B / Soul, African, Gospel and Jazz. I managed to get some time to have a chat and interview Maxwell, Lemar and Shaun Escoffery on the red carpet.