Round-Up March 2020
Durand Jones & The Indications – ‘Young Americans’ (David Bowie cover) The title track of his 1975 album, Bowie based the melody and arrangement of ‘Young Americans’ (like the rest […]
Lianne La Havas and Jules Buckley (Review)
Combining orchestral gravitas with hushed intimacy, Lianne La Havas and Jules Buckley make magic at the Barbican – Lianne La Havas knows how to tantalise an audience. ‘It’s finished,’ she […]
Bastards of Soul – ‘The Waiting Time’ (Review)
It is always refreshing to hear a contemporary soul band channel the sounds of the past with effortless authenticity. Dallas-based soul outfit Bastards of Soul have evolved from a rough-and-ready […]
Lu Kala – ‘Body Knew’ (Review)
A bold voice meets a blockbuster chorus on ‘Body Knew’, the second single from Toronto-based writer and performer LU KALA. KALA moved to Canada from the Democratic Republic of Congo […]
Mallika Vie – ‘Be Still For Me’ (Review)
‘Be Still For Me’ is the debut single from soulful singer-songwriter Mallika Vie. The tune owes to what Vie describes as the ‘simplicity and power‘ of 1960s soul balladry. She beautifully explains […]
Bridge Over Troubled Water 50th Anniversary (Review)
Katie Melua stuns with ‘Scarborough Fair’ – Indisputably one of the greatest songs of all time, ‘Bridge Over Trouble Water’ is now fifty years old. The gorgeous gospel piano, the […]
Interviewing Ruby Turner
Sitting in her dressing room backstage at the world-renowned Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, I am fortunate to grab thirty minutes with soul singer Ruby Turner prior to her sell-out show […]
José James – ‘Just The Way You Are’ (Review)
Timed for a Valentine’s Day release, jazz crooner José James has recorded a cover of Billy Joel’s ‘Just The Way You Are’. Written by Joel, the doting love ballad featured […]
Kyle Taylor Parker – Broadway Soul, Vol. 1 (Review)
Broadway Soul underscores Kyle Taylor Parker’s bold creativity and vision – A self-defined jazz and soul music geek, Kyle Taylor Parker starred in the original Broadway casts of Kinky Boots […]
Lenkie – ‘Waterfall’ (Review)
Originally from South Africa, Lenkie is a budding soul artist based in New York City. Her latest song ‘Waterfall’ is an ear-worm ditty, delivered with a poignancy and wistfulness that […]
The Edwin Starr Band at Pizza Express Live (Review)
Remembered most famously for his recording of the searing protest song ‘War’, Motown act Edwin Starr spent the last 20 years of his life in the UK. His original band, […]
Valeree – ‘Dive’ (Review)
Megan Mortensen (stage name Valeree) is an unsigned artist from Pittsburgh, with influences including Otis Redding, Etta James, and contemporary soul artists such as Amy Winehouse and H.E.R. After struggling […]
Stark feat. Kestra – ‘Trumpets’ (Review)
East London producer Stark (formerly known as Boston Building) turns out a sexy, dramatic number with ‘Trumpets’. Engaging lots of brass and orchestral bombast, there is a vintage, throwback aesthetic […]
Beverley Knight at The Roundhouse (Review)
The reigning Queen of UK Soul closed The Roundhouse’s ‘In The Round’ series last Saturday night, bringing a full 10-piece band to the proceedings. Beverley Knight strutted onto the stage […]