UK Soul | SoulSide Funk

Song of the Week: Liam Bailey – It’s Not The Same

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Rob

So, I kinda slept on Liam Bailey a bit. Thought he would forever be blessing house vocals with great vocals then release below par solo effort as he found his “roots”.

How wrong I was.

His second single, It’s Not The Same, it very retro soul (a la Michael Kiwanuka – see last week’s song of the week – just like buses, wait for ages then…). It is one of those songs that belongs on vinyl. It begs to be played, last song, in an old timers rave with the guy in the corner singing every word as the few couples left dance with the lights on, surrounded by people stacking chairs… lost in their moment.

This is that kind of record, and UK soul blessing it is. Think Beverley Knight might be including this one on Soul UK part 2!

Rob

Filed under: Song of the Week, Songs | Tagged: Beverley Knight, Liam Bailey, Music, song, Song of the Week, UK Soul | Leave a Comment »

Gig News: Mica Paris back at the Jazz Cafe later this month

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Rob

Ooooo, just like buses; you wait for ages and… well you know the rest. Mica Paris is playing the Jazz Café in February. Mica quietly dropped the very strong, suitably acclaimed, yet disappointingly under-heard album Born Again in 2009. I think this is the second time she will be touring the record and it will be well worth catching live because going by her track record she will disappear for another 10 years before releasing new music!

Born Again arguably has some of Mica’s best music on it. It has a full, natural, mature soul sound. Mica was a real pioneer during the fledgling stages of the UK soul scene, when a lot of the music was largely overproduced and lacked direction. Back then she created some stonking hits, and despite leaving it almost a generation she can still make a good record now.

Hopefully the show will be an ode to Mica of old too.

The gig(s) take place on 25^th/26^th February and cost £17.50. They are available via Jazz Cafe website - here.

Rob

Filed under: Gig Alerts, Gig News | Tagged: Born Again, Concert, Gig, Jazz Cafe, London, Mica Paris, Music, R&B, Soul, UK Soul | Leave a Comment »

Music: Zarif – Seen It All Before

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Rob

I’ve made no secret of the fact I am a bit of a Zarif fan on this website. And surprise, surprise I like the latest release from her forthcoming (let’s hope it’s actually released this time album).

It’s pretty much more of the same, jolly pop-soul with an edgy feel.

Listen to it and feel a little merry… even if the album disappears like last year at least we’ve had a few new songs to repeat on youtube!

Soulside Funk

Filed under: Songs | Tagged: London, Music, Pop, Seen It All Before, song, Soul, UK Soul, Zarif | Leave a Comment »

Gig News: Izzi Dunn at the Jazz Café in August

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Rob

Although it’s slap bang in the middle of summer holiday period, however this one is worth a little note on the Calendar. Izzi Dunn, an underplayed and therefore new(ish – depending on who you ask) UK soul singer.

The lead single from her latest album, Tits and Ass, did not do much for me at first and it was not until one evening walking home that the strings hit me and I was instantly intrigued. A little searching online and I found her debut album (released way back in 2004), The Big Picture, which had more than a few treats on it (Storyteller, Fly on the Wall and Underwater are well worth a download from her website).

Her history as a cellist really makes for interesting music (as all the above songs demonstrate), and the arrangements are worth a listen on thier own at times, adding something different to the usual UK soul offering. Therefore seeing her live, and seeing how she uses strings in her show make the £10 entry fee (plus usual fees) more than worth it.

The show, in support of her new album (released later this year) is on Saturday August 20th at Jazz Café and tickets can be bought via Seetickets – here

Should be an interesting one.

Soulside Funk

Filed under: Gig News | Tagged: Concert, Gig, Izzi Dunn, Jazz Cafe, London, Music, R&B, Soul, The Bigger Picture, UK Soul | Leave a Comment »

Song of the Week: Box of Secrets

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Rob

Zarif – Box of Secrets

A re-release of sorts after it first emerged at the start of last year (featured in a Sky advert). From there Zarif went from music-journo starlet, to supporting Beyonce, to seemingly disappearing… good news is she’s back… even if it is with the same single that launched her.

This time round though she’s added MC of the moment Mz. Brattz in to the mix, for a featur that shouldn’t work over this 30′s bee-bop sounding pop song, but does so so well.

The single is due out 16th August, which will hopefully (at long last) be followed by her debut album; can anyone say “whoop, whoop!”

Soulside Funk

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Filed under: Song of the Week | Tagged: Box of Secrets, Jazz, New Music, Song of the Week, Soul, UK Soul, Zarif | Leave a Comment »

Gig Review and Pictures: Rox @ Shepherds Bush Empire 11.10.09

Posted on October 14, 2009 by Rob

OK, so the headline billing at the Shepherds Bush Empire on Sunday night was actually Daniel Merriweather, however I was only there for one reason, and that was for a little soul singer from East London…

My previous experience of Rox was cut short because the last train was looming so I had to sprint after a few songs at Hoxton Bar & Grill. My first impressions were impressive; vibrant tunes with a strong diverse voice full of bite and pizzazz, yet able to rein it in when necessary.

(My) Expectations were high as she graced the just a little after 8pm, and about 2 mins in, after a booming start, I was able to relax as I realised I was going to enjoy this.

The songs were as good as the first time I heard them. Stands out were Rox Steady, a wholesome reggae number (available for free download from her website… do it now!) and the final song which I’m calling Breakfast in Bed (although it’s probably called Out of my Head). Tell Me Truth was a really nice bouncy number too.

The show was fun, even getting the crowd to dance a long with her to the aforementioned Rox Steady.

Keep a close eye on this one because although she may not become a household (UK soul acts never really do) there is the potential for one hell of an album… and some smoking gigs to come. I look forward to them

Soulside Funk