Editorial STUFF

In issue 1049 we feature yet another heady mix of music of black origin artists. First up, proudly adorning our cover this issue, international soul superstar Aloe Blacc releases his most personal, candid and spiritually uplifting album yet. Also, we have an exclusive interview with jazz icon Gregory Porter. Complimenting those two must-read interviews, it’s been 5 years since his last studio album, as we welcome back jazz/soul connoisseurs favourite Jarrod Lawson as he gives us the lowdown on his new project. We have a candid chat with the high priestess of Aussie soul, Kylie Auldist. Highly lauded jazz/soul artist Jordan Rakei gives us an exclusive on his dance music alter ego, Dan Kye, and if you like your soul music sunny side up with a side order of rhythm & blues then you’ll love our interview with Samantha Martin who is continuing to impress with her band Delta Sugar... After a 6 month break due to the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, we welcome back live events to our pages with open arms... all events we covered were socially distanced and we have to commend the artists, promoters and venues for their determination to put on live events once more. The shows we reviewed included Centreforce Radio’s Pineapple In The Park and 2 shows at London’s Jazz Cafe where we were lucky to catch the talents of Tony Momrelle and Reuben Richards & the Jezebel Sextet. With the hope of more live event normality in the not too distant future, we plan to bring you as many live reviews as possible when it is safe to do so. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE… Duncan Payne’s regular feature The B&S Years travels back to 1985 and the fascinating chart tug-of-war between r&b/soul stars Freddie Jackson and Alexander O’Neil plus, the rise of Whitney Houston and the other chart stars who made headlines that year. 1985 also saw the advent of hip-hop mixed with scratch DJ’s and electro, memorable live shows from a whole host of soul superstars and the UK club scene was as vibrant as ever. This feature also includes the B&S poll winners and charts from this year... Charts in the print issue include the B&S Upfront Urban Chart, Bigger’s R&B Smoove Grooves Chart, Ben Lovett’s Grooveyard Essentials Dance Chart and probably the coolest chart on the planet, the r&b and soul finger squarely on the pulse, Hip List. This issue also includes Richard Searling’s Collector’s Special list and his Jazz FM Soul Weekender Playlist A.KA. Richard Searling’s “Soundtrack To My Life!” B&S columnist Ralph Tee brings you all the latest modern soul news and releases, Ben Lovett delivers a dance music must-read, Bigger shares all the shakers and movers info in the world of R&B and Richard Searling gives the latest low-down on all things northern soul. Talking of northern soul, B&S’ Frank Elson provides an absorbing read as he revisits a classic Checkin’ It Out column from February 1981... These is just to mention our Soulfully Social page where you can have your say! Find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (all @BluesandSoul) and let us know what you think and we could be adding your comments to our next print issue! Till then, stay safe and don’t forget to listen to plenty of music! Lee Tyler (Editor) Twitter/Instagram @LeeTyler13B&S