I make my return this Sunday, but to warm you up for that,
the return of a strand that I blogged this time last year listing
five countdowns of five big inspirations.
A slightly different selection to last year as habits and interest
change (though it doesn't mean I instantly dislike anything that
I liked in 2008), so let's do this.
Top 5 Bands To Have Emerged This Year
5: Personal Life
A band who have put the funk back into "brit-funk"
with their amazing retro-sound, yet contemporary edge.
Already drawing attention from many senior soul fans
and newcomers alike, this lot have the potential to
go further, and getting a support slot alongside Bilal
this coming Thursday in London, will certainly help
towards that.
The above tune has a hint of Wham!'s "Young Guns"
about it, only there's no rap solo.
4: Cola and Jimmu
Not content with just releasing a superb solo album this year,
Nicole Willis has joined forces with husband Jimmy Tenor
for what may be the best electronica broken beat LP
so far this year.
For those who may be a bit uncertain about their future beats,
this album could be the perfect introduction to what
could be referred to as accessible "21st century soul".
Some really catchy beats on this.
3: Kon
In the last couple of year's this guy has made a name for
himself with some amazing remixes and re-edits that have
redefined the artform, going deep into the original multi-tracks
with this Bee Gees take-off being one such example.
More recently, the Boston producer himself has released a
solid album of his own with a wide selection of upbeat and
mid-tempo soul gems, already causing a stir and having
stopped off on British shores himself last weekend, there's
full proof that he can fill a dancefloor.
More please, if possible.
2: The Doggett Brothers
A fresh new band from Norfolk who have brought back the
memories of the amazing early 90s Acid Jazz sound.
Carl and Greg Doggett on their debut LP showcase their
abilities and warm melodic offerings alongside some great
vocalists including Sulene Fleming and Charlie Welton,
blending jazz funk, with broken beat.
It's an album I have long been waiting for, I just didn't know it.
1: Muzart
The album of the summer.
South African oufit Muzart have won over fans around the world
with their 12" release "Jukebox" and their debut album brought
to the UK by the amazing Expansion Records shows consistency
with not one bad track on there.
Taking leads from Incognito, Earth Wind and Fire, and The Sunburst
Band, this was barely away from my earpieces in the warmer
months of '13, and here's hoping that the guys make their way
over from South Africa to a warming reception from their new
British fans.
They'll deliver, that's for certain.
Top 5 Live Performances of '13
5: Brand New Heavies (King's Hall, Herne Bay, July '13)
Quite simply one of the best bands I grew up with,
in a seaside town I adore.
The Heavies with new vocalist Dawn Joseph set Herne Bay
alight with a mixture of gems from their new album "Forward"
along with old favourites such as "Oasis", "Sometimes" and the
anthemic "Dream Come True".
After a rather muddled decade, the band are back to their best
with another new album due for release in 2014.
4: Jamie Cullum (St Pancras Station, May '13)
In the week when the singer released his 5th solo
album "Momentum", the jazz pixie was kind enough to perform
to the punters and commuters of St Pancras Railway Station
for free on a Tuesday morning in May, using one of the station's
very own public pianos.
The 30 minute set was mainly made up of songs from the new
LP, though the finale involved the old favourite "Get Your Way",
where I was joining in with the legendary brass riff by Joe Williams,
as used to open up the great man's Radio 2 show.
A long-term favourite of Blam Jam, and continuing to break
barriers.
3: Gregory Porter (Oval Space, May '13)
A man I had been waiting to see live for far too long, finally
getting the chance to do so not too far from my birthplace
in East London.
It was hear that I was treated to my first exposure of the
vocalist's new album "Liquid Spirit" including the amazing
title track which has probably outshone "1960 What" as
his signature song.
Most of all, he's such a lovely fella, with an amazing warmth.
2: Bah Samba (Margate Soul Weekender, August '13)
Another free gig, and the highlight of this year's
Margate Soul Weekender.
Julian Bendall's boys (and girls) pleased the punters of Thanet
giving off a great show with a fantastic blend of jazzy beats
that caused me to lose myself within them.
That doesn't happen often, I will admit, when I forget everything
around me and just enjoy the tunes.
Guest vocals were provided by French vocalist Yasmine,
and Juliet Roberts who even gave a rendition of her
mid 90s house anthem "Caught In The Middle".
There's a good chance these guys will be back in Margate in 2014, so if you
can, get down there. No excuse not to.
1: Andreya Triana (Union Chapel, May '13)
Quite simply, an amazing venue, and an amazing singer.
A woman who is one to watch, though she has been making
waves over the last few years with one album already to
her belt.
I can definitely identify with her songs on a personal level
such as "Lost Where I Belong", and the recently unveiled
"Song For A Friend", the latter being a strong contender for
Blam Jam's tune of 2013.
The amazing acoustics of the Union Chapel brought a
unique sense of intimacy to the gig, and hopefully, 2014
will see plenty of good things for Ms Triana.
A very special night.
Top 5 DJs
It's far more than just playing records to a big crowd.
This is a skill that requires character, and the ability to
hold that crowd, and the 5 disc spinners below, well~they've managed to hold me for a long time at least.
5: Jeff Young
The don.
This guy may have been responsible for shaping my taste
in music at an early age, championing the many dance rhythms
of the acid house era of the late 80s/early 90s on his inaugural
Radio 1 Dance Music show.
Back on the radio and club scene after a lengthy absence,
this man still has the ears for finding the winners and playing
them to a deserving audience.
And he's got a great radio voice.
4: Theresa B
This woman's one to watch.
Hailing from Herne Bay, Theresa Barratt has spent a lifetime
storing her trunk with amazing vinyl records,
and has recently unleashed her selection to the dancing crowds
of Herne Bay and Margate.
If you're at a loose end this weekend, get down to Soulbay
at the Knot Westgate on Sea on Saturday, and you'll be able
to see some barrier breaking from one of many emerging
female disc spinners, and you may well and truly
be surprised by what tunes she has to offer.
And she's a great dancer too!
3: Markus "Max K" Kater
I first spotted the disc spinner from Deutschland
at the 2012 Margate Soul Weekender and was instantly
amazed by his blend of soulful house rhythms.
The man's ability can be heard via his Mixcloud channel
and his moonlighting on many internet radio stations.
Give this guy a go, when Max K returns to British Shores,
you'll be uplifted for certain.
2: Johnny And Messy
I know it's cheating, but I had to include this double act
from Essex as one, who can quite simply be defined as
"The Morecambe And Wise of soul".
What makes this pair stand out from other disc spinners
is their ability to entertain, as well as providing an
eclectic blend of great rhythms, providing an overall
sense of fun.
Jonny (Eric) gets down with the jazzy rhythms, and
house anthems, whilst Mark (Ernie) covers the big soul spectrum
even delving into has massive box of Northern Soul Gems.
They must be doing something right, as their bi-monthly
Soul By The Jetty night at Canvey Island recently won the
Soul Surviors Award for "Best Outside London Soul Club".
And this is more than just a club night.
There's plenty of space in the venue and if you prefer to socialise
than strut, you can do just that, whilst still in presence of the
amazing tunes on offer.
1: Joey Negro
Is there no end to the man's talents?
A top musician, music producer, record label owner, and above all
an amazing unpredictable disc spinner.
I dread to think how the man manages to store all his beats
as every time he gives a live set, he always manages to surprise
with either a fresh melodic mover, or a retro rhythm that hasn't
been touched for god know's how long.
A big influence on Blam Jam from day one, this guy has got
the ears for essential rhythm.
Top 5 Inspiring Radio Shows
Radio is my obsession and a vital source of influence.
The following five shows are the ones that surprise, and inspire
and above all communicate brilliantly through sound and no images.
They're the guys you should be thanking for the tunes on my
show if I'm being honest.
Moving along...
5: Gilles Peterson: Worldwide (BBC 6 Music)
This man's been an inspiration for many years, and into the second
year of his stint on 6 Music, the love is growing even further.
Always on the search for "the perfect beat" Mr P continues
to showcase and test out up and coming beats.
Whether it's the latest hip hop track from Kendrick Lamar, crazy
jazz from Matthew Halsall, or revisiting classic jazz funk anthems
from the likes of Earth Wind and Fire, every show is an
enjoyable ride.
Long may it continue.
4: Ginger Tony: Jump Start (Solar Radio)
An upbeat start to Saturday comes courtesy from Ginger Tony
in a show that stands out from the other internet soul shows as
it actually feels more like a radio show than a club DJ on the radio.
And that's not to say GT isn't a great club DJ himself, (the photo
defeats that assumption!), but this is a show that acknowledges
the listener, and rewards them with some of the finest upfront
soul and jazz beats.
Never a dull moment.
3: Kev Beadle: Mind Fluid (Solar Radio)
If you find the beats of Gilles Peterson to be too avant garde,
then the jazzy rhythms of Kev Beadle will have you covered.
It's quite common for me to be listening to the podcast on a late
night train journey home, and it's the ideal late night soundtrack
with a blend of retro soul jazz, and upfront broken beats from
Dionne Warwick, to 4hero, from Minnie Ripperton, to Flying Lotus.
This is one of those shows where the presenter takes a backseat,
but when they're spinning one great rhythm after another,
that's commendable enough on it's own.
Always a song you'll be wanting to note down on every show.
2: Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music)
Not strictly a soul/jazz show, but those two genres play quite
a part in the Sony Award winning Sunday morning show with
an ever growing listener base.
Someone once criticized the show for sounding like "a
GCSE drama lecture".
Though that's fine by me as drama was one of the rare
subjects at school that I actually enjoyed.
The Welsh warmth provided by Cerys adds fun to an always
unpredictable show blending her knowledge together with
interviews and great live performances.
In fact it's more than just a music show as occasionally Cerys
will provide a recipe for a quirky concoction as introduced by
Jimmy Young's old "Home Cookin'" jingle, but unfortunately
without a chipmunk voice asking "What's The Recipe Today
Cerys?"
Save from that, it's a fantastic radio show and with
it being given 50% extra in length from November,
it's got potential to go even further.
1: Jonny Layton: The Saturday Soulmine (Zero Radio)
He's been here before, but Jonny Layton makes a return appearance
in my Bunch Of Fives, this time for having the most energetic and fun
soulful radio show by quite a mile.
In an age where seemingly "everyone else takes it too seriously"
The Saturday Soulmine offers an upbeat set of jazzy and soulful
rhythms, combined with a dosage of mayhem which could range
from a jazzy Daft Punk cover, or a delve into the big band era
from Cab Calloway.
All that combined with Jonny's lively and warm style with a touch
of naughtiness.
Consistently entertaining.
Top 5 Bands or Musicians I Couldn't Live Without
There's no numerical rundown here.
Just a list of 5 amazing performers who have provided
consistent class.
Leroy Burgess
It was hard to pick just one song by the musician/producer/disco definer.
Though almost any of the guy's offerings shows build, amazing
melody, and class within soul and disco music.
A living legend.
Bluey/Incognito
I've loved this guy for goodness knows how long, and after
all this time he's finally gone solo and released his own solo
album, which I reckon could even be a cut above his
Incognito material.
One of the very best, who always puts his fans first.
Flying Lotus
Never short of surprises this fella.
A man who in 40 years will be looked up to in the same
way as Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, and many other veteran
jazz performers, as the pioneer of future rhythms.
Still longing to see him blend the beats live.
Jill Scott
Whereas this woman will be (well, already is) looked up to in
the same way as Ella, Sassy, and Lady Day.
Really sweet, never generic, and full of warmth.
Marcos Valle
The Brazilian baron.
One of the finest when it comes to soulful and jazzy beats,
and never looking back.
The above performance shows off the great man's abilities
to blend amazing melodies, with delightful vocals showing
off Brazil's musical heritage to it's height.
Definitely another one for your "must see live" list.
So those are my favourite fives, what are your five artists
(of any music genre) you cannot live without?
Tune in to Sunday's Blam Jam from 6pm at CSR for further
enlightenment!
