Post by MAJE on Oct 25, 2003 5:13:58 GMT -5
Many want to tour the U.K. but don't know where the best places are or who to contact. Some would like their albums released here in the U.K. in order to stimulate their home markets. This page is my humble attempt to redress the imbalance. These great people deserve, at the very least, that....
UK Real Soul Record Labels
Expansion Records, 81 Crabtree Lane, London SW6 6LW t: 020 7381 8315
Ralph Tee and Richard Searlings label is, probably, the UK premiere soul music label. They have released product from many soul greats including Keni Burke and Angela Bofill.
Soul Brother Records, 1 Keswick Road, East Putney, London, SW15 t: 07000 768 527
Soul Brother are a great soul music retailer, who, over the last couple of years, have put together a label that, mainly focuses on re-releasing older rare albums and new 'organic' soul releases.
Dome Records, 59 Glenthorne Road, London, W6 0LJ. t: 020 8748 4499
Dome Records have a great artist line-up that includes Dennis Taylor and Beverlei Brown
Cafe De Soul Records, Warwick Towers, 445 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG5 2DQ
Vijay Mistry's label has released some fine product over the last couple of years. Their roster includes Michael Bohannon and Darrius. e: cafedesoul@hotmail.com
Mr. Bongo Records, 2nd Floor, 24 Old Steine, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1EL. t: 01273 600 546
Mr. Bongo is an interesting label that releases soul and jazz albums. 2002 saw a new release from Terry Callier on the label.
Warner Brothers, Warner Building, 28 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 4EP t: 020 7368 2542
Warners may seem an odd inclusion here, however, they are re-releasing a great deal of their old back catalogue, which includes Leon Ware and Marcus Miller. Contact: Rick Conrad.
Unleash the 80's, 103 Mimms Hall Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 3DY t: 01707 647 923
Unleash the 80's are a new label that concentrate on the real soul sound of the 1980's. They released an excellent set by Vaneese Thomas recently.
Stonegroove Recordings, Tempo House, 15 Falcon Road, London SW11 2PJ t: 020 7228 6821
Stonegroove are a touch more 'urban', although they did release the excellent 'Sound Of Solar Radio' CD at the end of last year.
For equipment and sound requirements
www.livesoundsolutions.co.uk/
UK Soul and Jazz Radio Stations
Jazz FM , 26-27 Castlereagh Street, London, W1H 6YR. t: 020 7706 3399
Jazz FM broadcast in London and Manchester, Although the station is predominantly 'smooth jazz', the deejays Peter Young and Richard Searling are appreciators of real soul music and well worth sending any promo's off to.
Ralph Tee's Thames Radio Soul Show, Thames Radio, Brentham House, 45c High Street, Hampton Wick, KT1 4DG. t: 020 8288 1300
Ralph Tee runs Expansion Records with Richard Searling. This show is an essential part of soul listening, on the radio, in London.
George Reid's Fresh Air Soul Show, Procurement Officer, The University Of Edinburgh, 13 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT. t: +44 0131 650 8035
George Reid's soul show goes out several times a year. It is streamed on the web. This is a very fine programme.
UK Soul and Jazz Radio Deejays
Richard Searling @ Jazz FM
Ralph Tee @ Thames Radio 107.8
George Reid @ Fresh Air FM
Steve Hobbs @ Blues And Soul Magazine
UK Soul and Jazz Venues
The Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, London, NW1 7PG. t: 020 7916 6060
This is the premier London venue for visiting American soul and jazz artists. A quality venue.
Dingwalls, Middle Yard, Camden Lock, London, NW1 8AB t: 020 7267 1577
Dingwalls is also based in Camden in London. Nice venue that saw Nathan Heathman and Norman Connors visit last year.
The Forum, 9-17 Highgate Road, London, NW5
The Forum is based in Kentish Town in London. This year will see Shalamar appearring. The link is to the Mean Fiddler ticket office.
Shepherds Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush, London. t: 0870 771 2000
This venue is popular amogst many U.S. artists. Ike Turner is appearring there as I write this.
Manchester Apollo 0161 242 2560, Brighton Dome 01273 709 709 and Birmingham Academy 0870 771 2000
Each of these venues Angie Stone is appearring at this year.
Ocean, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, London, E8. t: 020 8533 0111
This is a new London venue, currently entertaining the Robert Cray band.
The Fridge, 1 Town Hall Parade, Brixton, London, SW2. t: 020 8674 4816
Very nice venue, in South London, that has seen visits from James Brown (amongst others) over the last couple of years.
The Dutch Pot
Very nice venue, in Shepherds Bush, London, run by U.K. soul singer Noel McKoy, featuring mainly acoustic sets. Artists who have appearred here include Tashan, Omar and Noel himself.
Touring Contacts
Chew Entertainment
Vivian Scott Chew and her husband, the artist Ray Chew, brought Ledisi to London's Jazz Cafe in 2003.
Yellow Go-Rilla Productions Ltd, 52 Gover Court, Paradise Road, London, SW4 6QN t: 0207 720 5224
Yellow Go-Rilla brought to fruition Lesette Wilson's recent tour that culminated in a great show at the Jazz Cafe. Contact here is Dennis Armstead
E.