"Can the knowledgeable talk to me abt the 80s/90s UK soul scene?"
I just went back & grabbed The Brand New Heavies' self-titled album and Brother Sister. Loose Ends with Zingalamaduni (sp?) was classic, as was Soul II Soul & Caron Wheeler. What were some other great acts that came out of that scene? I loved the sound & would love to have more of it. Also, what influence have they had on the evolution of the UK soul scene? Do present-day folks cite them? Are they the producers of these white UK (")soul(") acts like Duffy? Let a brother know.
Go Smack yourself and then apologize to your hand for looking stupid - Case_One
>no, you haven't. & i've been on this board for a loooooong >time. tha8thjewel/chillsm00th/ahmsofunky/Black Jesus. we've >had plenty of convos on here.
10. "Nick Martinelli was a force (though out of Philly) in 80's UK soul" In response to Reply # 0
while only a handful, he produced probably the most definitive UK soul tracks of the 80's("Hangin' on a String (Contemplating),"Let Me Be the One" & "Tell Me (How It Feels.)"
52nd Street is probably my favorite 80's UK Soul group after Loose Ends & Soul II Soul. Definitely check out Look Into My Eyes,I'll Return & Never Give Up on You.
12. "people sleep on Soul II Soul, but they had more than one album." In response to Reply # 0
everybody stops at "1990: A New Decade", but "Vol 3: Joy" is a MONSTER. and last I heard they'd made 5 albums. ( the last one I copped was "Vol 5: Believe" )
Orfeo_Negro Member since Oct 24th 2004 20923 posts
Thu Jun-24-10 10:27 PM
16. "alright: let's go back to the roots here." In response to Reply # 0 Thu Jun-24-10 10:45 PM by Orfeo_Negro
What is currently known as the UK Soul Sound (not counting the Northern Soul and stuff like that) has its roots in the late 1970s and early 80s jazz-funk scene. That's why UK soul tends to have that sophisticated, jazzy sound to it (or used to, anyway).
(I think Freeez in its original formation provided the template of the sound and feel that many Americans would come to associate with British soul by the end of the 80s--laidback, jazzy instrumentation with dramatic changes and cool, detached female vocals)
17. "wow @ junior being british....had NO idea." In response to Reply # 16
this song was HUGE to me as a kid.
and DUH @ "london town" being by a UK group...that shoulda been obvious to me lol. great links. i think imagination & olympic runners i wasn't feeling, but the rest of this stuff is great! i look forward to the continuation!
Go Smack yourself and then apologize to your hand for looking stupid - Case_One
Orfeo_Negro Member since Oct 24th 2004 20923 posts
Thu Jun-24-10 11:54 PM
18. "You wasn't feeling Imagination???" In response to Reply # 17
I LOVE that group, man... Their gear and stage show was always suspect but their tracks were just too bad, man...
I posted "Music & Lights" because I love that song, but that one came later... What I probably should have posted within the timeline was "So Good So Right"
46. "M People were quite prominent here in the 90s" In response to Reply # 0
but they were more house or dance oriented.
Can think of a few random songs that were good by other artists/artistes. One that springs to mind is the Beatmasters featuring Betty Boo/Hey DJ I can't Dance (To That Music You're Playing) which was more dance come hip hop, but it had a good sound.
48. "Just out of curiosity...." In response to Reply # 0
Where does Sade fit into this scene? I see people listing Loose Ends, Brand New Heavies, Soul II Soul, Lisa Stansfield, Simply Red, Jamiroquai, Omar, Shaun Escoffery, Julie Dexter, Incognito, and others...all of whom have shared similar elements of sound with Sade at one point or another.
Were they considered more of a straight pop band in the UK rather than a part of the soul scene? I hadn't seen them mentioned, so I thought perhaps people didn't see them as soul...
I was afraid that dreaded "Pop Jazz/Smooth Jazz tag was gonna come up for them. I mean, rightfully so, but that label is like the harbinger of musical death and grocery store hell. lol
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