Loneliness is a recurrent ache in pop music; the diagnosis is normally heartbreak, unrequited love or loss. Moses Sumney has a slightly different take on what is drily termed “aromanticism” – an imperviousness to coupling up. Born of exacting self-scrutiny, it is bolstered by 70s soul, Greek mythand what sounds like a personal phalanx of angels that routinely […]
BET has announced the nominations for the upcoming 2017 Soul Train Awards across 12 different categories, an annual celebration that recognize the best in Soul, R&B and Hip-Hop from legends to the next generation. This year’s most nominated artist goes to Solange, who secured seven total nods including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, and the highly coveted […]
Popstar ascents have become so predictable – unknown guest on dance track later re-emerges as a solo act – that it’s easy to be cynical of more elaborate backstories. And Kwaye’s is fairly eyebrow-raising. Within the first week of a year studying abroad at UCLA, the Zimbabwe-born, London-raised student met a producer who offered him […]
This week marks 30 years since Michael Jackson’s Bad album confirmed the King of Pop as one of the most successful artists of all time. But Jackson was not the only artist to produce a classic 1987 album. Both the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy enjoyed successful hip-hop breakthroughs, Bruce Springsteen released his ultimate break-up album, and the Morrissey/Marr partnership managed one […]
One of the UK’s most enduring recording artists, Kiki Dee has been making music since the early ’60s. With a personal background and love for R&B/soul music, Kiki has the distinction of having been the first British artist to be signed to and to record for Motown and it’s with that in mind that Kiki is […]
The soul singer Charles Bradley has died, it was announced on Saturday. He was 68. Bradley received a diagnosis of stomach cancer last year. Earlier this month, announcing the cancellation of tour dates in the US, South America and Europe, he said that though he had beaten that illness, the cancer had spread to his liver. “I […]
WILSON PICKETT: WILSON PICKETT SINGS BOBBY WOMACK (KENT) Now this is interesting, for me anyway, because I just love Wilson’s voice. It’s so rasping, almost on the raw side, and, my, can he turn a song into something else. And this CD is a fine example of his immense talent that perhaps is overlooked sometimes. […]
Moving back in with mum might not sound like the sort of creative impetus every 27-year-old musician requires to overcome second album syndrome, but it worked for Ben Romans-Hopcraft. After touring his band’s debut, Lacuna, the Childhood frontman was left bereft of ideas. He moved into his mum’s flat in West Norwood, south London, a domestic change […]
It’s safe to say that Canadian R&B/Pop artist The Weeknd is killing ’em. Recently, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recognized the international superstar for the success of his latest album, Starboy, which is now certified 2X platinum. In addition, the “Starboy” single is 5X multi-Platinum, “I Feel It Coming” 2X multi-Platinum and “Party Monster” and “Reminder” are […]
Mary’s back! Queen of the quivery vocal, doyenne of done-me-wrong R&B, teacher of lung-wobbling lessons in love. Strength of a Woman is her 13th studio album, following The London Sessions (2014), on which she showed how good her vocals sound atop British electronic beats. Here she finds a (mostly) sweet spot between contemporary production and her classic […]
