News

WIN BABYFACE TICKETS ...

Thursday, 2nd July 2009

Babyface tickets up for grabs

In a relatively short space of time www.soulandjazandfunk.com has established itself as one of the leading internet soul news and review websites. Read and respected not just by soul fans but by music biz insiders (including many top artists), it's won a reputation for comprehensive and independent coverage of the whole soul scene.

To celebrate, www.soulandjazzandfunk.com is giving away a pair of tickets for the exciting upcoming concert featuring soul legend BABYFACE and rising Brit soulstress NATALIE WILLIAMS. The show takes place at London's Indigo2 on Saturday 11 July and it promises to be a great night. To win a pair of free tickets just answer this simple question -

At which top London jazz club does NATALIE WILLIAMS host a monthly soul show?

E-mail the answers to our usual e-mail address – info@soulandjazzandfunk.com

…and the first correct answer out of the hat will win the tickets.

Remember to include your name and address and don't forget that the concert takes place in London and that the prize DOES NOT include travel or accommodation. Good luck!

FAYETTE PINKNEY DIES

Thursday, 2nd July 2009

Fayette Pinkney RIP

An official announcement was made yesterday (1 July) that FAYETTE PINKNEY – an original member of the THREE DEGREES had died aged 61. Ms. PINKNEY, who had been working as a patient counsellor at the Medical College Of Pennsylvania, died of acute respiratory failure at the Abington Health Lansdale Hospital near Philadelphia on Saturday 27 June. FAYETTE, SHIRLEY PORTER and LINDA TURNER formed the THREE DEGREES at High School and over the years she remained the group's only original ever-present. She was there during the group's most prolific period when they enjoyed a strong run of chart hits – even winning the dubious accolade of becoming PRINCE CHARLES' favourite group!
She left the group in 1976 to pursue an academic career (though she did record one solo album) - eventually winning a Masters Degree and going on to work in medical administration and counselling. She continued to sing with the Intermezzo Choir Ministry and she's survived by her brother NATHANIEL.

NATALIE AND BABYFACE TOGETHER...

Wednesday, 1st July 2009

Natalie W... with Babyface

Top British soulstress NATALIE WILLIAMS is to support KENNY 'BABYFACE' EDMONDS for an exclusive concert at the Indigo2 on Saturday 11 July. The concert is BABYFACE'S only UK date on his European tour and NATALIE is delighted to have the opportunity to work with such a legendary artist. BABYFACE, we're told, will be performing a selection of his own hits along with special medleys of songs he's written for others – including WHITNEY HOUSTON, BOYZ II MEN, MARIAH CAREY, TONI BRAXTON, ARETHA and, of course, MICHAEL JACKSON.
NATALIE'S not fazed by the challenge of appearing alongside an icon and she's convinced that her soulful mix of jazz and R&B will be a perfect hors d'oeuvre for the main event. NATALIE already hosts a monthly residency at Ronnie Scott's London and in-the-know UK soul folk will attest to her credentials. She has a new album pencilled in for later in the year and the lead single 'Lil' Wiser' will be available very soon….

Ticket details are: -
Saturday 11 July - IndigO2, London
Price: £35 plus limited premiums
IndigO2 – 0844 844 0002 / www.theindigo2.co.uk
Ticketline - 08448 889 991 / www.ticketline.co.uk
See Tickets – 0871 2200 260 / www.seetickets.com
Ticketmaster – 0844 847 2450 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Watch this space for an exclusive competition with the opportunity to win special tickets to this unique soul concert.

STRANGE ARRANGEMENTS ...

Saturday, 27th June 2009

M.H. ... guess where

2009's been a vintage year for retro soul albums – now stand by for what those in the know are saying will be acclaimed the best of the lot! MAYER HAWTHORNE hails from Ann Arbour, Michigan – a soulful shimmy from Detroit, where as a white kid he immersed himself not only in the sounds of his own Motor City but also the magical music of Curtom and Stax. The 29 year old began making his own music and he soon came to the notice of the wonderfully named PEANUT BUTTER WOLF (honest!) head of the Stone's Throw label. The achingly-fragile-voiced HAWTHORNE was signed and his debut set is almost with us. Called 'A Strange Arrangement' the music has big echoes of Motown and the inspired feel of the Impressions, the Esquires, the Notations, the Natural Four, the Mad Lads and Leroy Hutson. Add to all that some tight J Dilla inspired modern beats and – in places – Beach Boys style harmonies and you have a hugely intriguing album. The set's first single – 'Just Ain't Gonna Work Out' - is available from August while the album is out in September. Full review on www.soulandjazzandfunk.com very soon.

THE PASSING OF A LEGEND

Friday, 26th June 2009

MJ ... lost legend

Like the rest of the soul world, www.soulandjazzandfunk.com is mourning the death of MICHAEL JACKSON. No matter the facts of his personal life (actual and alleged) there is no denying that he was one of the very select few artists who rightly can be called "legendary" and though he was acclaimed "King Of Pop", he'll be best remembered as a soul performer – the genre in which he was brought up and which provided his launch pad. Sure, the JACKSON brand of soul wasn't the chest-beating, gospel-drenched, tear-stained soul of the classic performers but his work was always charged with emotion, passion, drive, energy and commitment and that consistent formula equates to soul – glossy though it might have been. From songs like 'I Want You Back' right through to stuff like 'You Rock My World', a JACKSON-led song could pack dance floors anywhere while songs like 'I'll Be There' and on to 'Man In The Mirror' provided material for both personal and universal reflection. Then there's the songs that will forever be defined "classics" by anyone's standard – 'Off The Wall', 'Rock With You', ' Thriller', 'Billie Jean' and many, many more. People who saw him live will testify to the electrifying performances. Then, of course, there's the mind-blowing statistics – they are the backbone of a musical CV that few have ever matched or ever will. The music world in general and soul in particular has lost a legend.