It's nearing the end of the summer and festival season. My highlight this year was playing at Standon Calling. Great crowd, well organised. Here's a short video featuring snippets of my set.
Thanks to Reggie Chelsom for recording and editing the video.
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
5 - Eric Roberson - Lyrics of Pleasure featuring Will Downing - taken from the album Wind - Dome
4 - Zepherin Saint feat Sara Divine - Hurry - Tribe Records
3 - Blue Lab Beats - Keep Moving - Believe Recordings
2 - Sir Piers - Long Distance feat Frank McComb - SO-UK
1 - Leroy Hutson - Positive Forces - Acid Jazz
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
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
The recent appointment of Edward Enninful as Vogue's new editor is a step in the right direction for fashion and embracing diversity. I was asked to share my thoughts and views on his appointment for BBC News UK and BBC World News.
I joined the debate panel on ITV's Good Morning Britain earlier this week to talk about Anne Marie Morris and the N Word. Click on the studio pic to catch up.
Before the end of the Anne Marie Morris/N Word debate on Good Morning Britain, Piers Morgan mentioned he liked my shirt and endorsed it by saying it was "The best shirt on GMB this year". It was also picked by The Sun.
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.
I will be joining Xanthe Fuller on Soho Radio to talk about music and also doing a guest DJ mix from 7pm this evening. Tune in http://www.sohoradiolondon.com/
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
I'll be covering Early Breakfast and Early Weekend Breakfast for Chris Hawkins on BBC Radio 6 Music from May 30th till June 4th, 5 till 7am - www.bbc.co.uk/6music
Exciting news I will be doing a takeover show on Virgin Radio on Sunday 23rd of April from 10am. You can listen live across the UK on DAB or online here http://virginradio.co.uk/
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.
I have heard lots of good things about Quo Vadis and their legendary DJ sessions. Will be gracing the decks next Thursday 9th of March for a four hour set from 10 till 2am.
It's free entry. Limited guest list. Drop me a line and I'll add you on to the guest list.
I have joined The Radio Academy's steering group to help curate this year's Radio Festival. It's due to take place on May 23rd at The British Library in London.
For more info click here - https://www.radioacademy.org/articles/our-motivation/
I recently covered the Early Weekend Breakfast show on BBC Radio 6 Music sitting in for Chris Hawkins.
Also got a chance to introduce some new artists to the 6 Music audience - Askala Selassie, Paradisia and Banwo The Poet.
If you didn't get a chance to listen click on the iPlayer link.
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
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.
I'll be sitting in for Chris Hawkins covering the Early Breakfast show on BBC Radio 6 Music from 5 till 7am on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of February.
Listen on DAB, online or via the iPlayer Radio app - www.bbc.co.uk/6music
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.
I'll be looking after Simon Lederman's show on BBC Radio London for one week from the 30th of May. It will be talk based so need your participation on topics and news stories that week. Spread the word and tune in - www.bbc.co.uk/radiolondon