Kev Beadle Presents The Best Of Inner City Records Launch Album Launch For BBE Records

To celebrate the release of Kev Beadle’s latest compilation for BBE Records you are invited to join him with DJ Harv and Nick Hosier playing some quality jazz goodness on one of the best sound systems in London. Admission is FREE, so get there early……..

Created by music industry legend, MMO Music Group CEO and true godfather of karaoke (but that’s another story) Irv Kratka, alongside producer Eric Kriss, Inner City Records was founded in 1976. During its decade or so in existence, the label put together a formidable catalogue of jazz music and was voted Record Label Of The Year in 1979 by the International Jazz Critics Poll. As well as ‘classic jazz’, the label also gave a platform to more avant-garde material and dabbled in the emerging ‘jazz fusion’ sounds of the day.
Inner City boasted a particularly fervent fan-base in London, where many of its releases found a home within the sweaty underground dance clubs of Soho and Convent Garden back in the early 80s. Fittingly enough, London DJ and tastemaker Kev Beadle is the man chosen to put together this very special compilation of the imprint’s finest moments.

Soundclips and tracklisting:
https://soundcloud.com/kevb/kev-beadle-presents-the-best-of-inner-city-records-on-bbe-march-2016-snippets

For more booking information on this artist contact Angel Mel www.ammpromotions.co.uk

Southport Weekender – Celebrating 28 Years Of Life, Love and Music at One of Britain’s largest & longest standing indoor dance events. Collection Of Music and Memories

We are family.

Back in October 2014, the organisers of Southport weekender brought Southport back home to it’s original humble beginnings at the Pointins site. I made it my mission to interview and record as many of the SPW family, in celebration of our 50th anniversary. My aim was for people to share their first time and most cherished memories of the Southport Weekender. Since starting out on my mission, the recording of people’s stories was the easy part, but editing and putting it all to music was quite a different kettle of fish. I had to learn how to use the audacity program from scratch! So please excuse the all the ambient sounds in the background,and the imperfections. All the stories were recorded live from the event as it was happening. I’ve been holding on to this project for months, I was uncertain whether the finished product was good enough to share with my beloved Southport family. That is until I received the news on Wednesday 20th March that would no doubt change not only my life but the lives of those around me, when I heard that this years Southport Weekender would be the last. I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming since of loss, I felt bereft. Hearing the news was like losing a dear friend. Selfishly I could only think of life never being quite the same again, and that there could be nothing to fill the hole that it left behind. For Alex Lowes, Dave Gardner and the team to come to this decision must have been heart breaking for them. But I can not dwell on the sadness or sense of loss, when belonging to the worlds most friendliest music event has brought me and many others so much joy. Nothing can take away our memories, or the life long friendships and experiences that we all shared together. We belong to a unique community, fueled by our passion for music and togetherness which has ultimately changed our lives for the better. Remember there is no Southport without you, us or them. With every dance move we ever made, when we wiped the tears of happiness from our eyes, from the collective call of ‘Good Morning campers’, the infamous chalet parties, the mind blowing performances, our pride as we display our collection of SPW lanyards, the intensity of the build up as the event approaches. We have all be touched by the magic and it has left it’s mark like indelible ink right across our hearts. This isn’t the end it’s just the beginning of a brand new chapter in our lives. Lastly I want

to thank all the amazing people who contributed to this podcast and to everyone single one of the SPW family for having such a profound affect on my life. I hope by listening to this podcast it makes you smile and to bring back your own special memories. Special thanks to Corina & friend, the brilliant Antony Elson, Susie, Steve Smith, Rebecca Wann & Champs, Simon Schooly Philips, Fitzroy Da Buzzboy, Siobhan & Tracey, Adeva, Marcia Carr, Jean Carne, Rob Lawrence, The Beast, Annie & Alan Kenny Arscott from Mucho Soul, Mike Dirguid, John Stewart, (my soul sista Jan Whalley, Peter Borg, William Loonen Thanks to Colin Williams for the image. Music 1. George Benson – You can do it baby 2.Cheryl Lynn – Got to be real 3. Masters At Work – To be in love 4. Armand Van Heldon – You don’t know me (instrumental) 5.Sounds of Blackness – I’m going all the way 6. Maze – Twilight 7. Nu Colours – Greater Love 8. The Rebirth = This journey in 9.Jean Carne – Was that all it was 10.Omar – Dancing (Zed Bias remix) 11. Roy Ayers – Liquid Love 12. Kerri Chandler – Rain 13. Louie Vega – Cerca De Mi (instrumental) 14. Gregory Porter – On the way to Harlem

http://angelmel1979.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-22T08_47_41-07_00

Osunlade – Age of the (Aquarian Moon) Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age of the Aquarius.
Aquarian Moon was originally released by BBE back in 2006. Now re-released in 2014, several new tracks have been added to this Deluxe edition.

Osunlade is a man that needs no introduction, revered and adored by his dance floor believers, known to many as the ‘Black Messiah’. With a style that is fluid as the water that flows from the Aquarian star sign. Osunlade latest offering is an ode to his beloved adopted home Santorini in Greece, each track is a unique love letter detailing the many ways in which it has become his spiritual home.
Sculptured and shaped like wood made by the skilled hands of an devoted artisan. Rich, with a bounty of ethnic percussive elements which are the roots of the tree. At the core, Osunlade never loses sight of the importance of a his spirituality, to invoke the listener into experiencing a shared existence. Like the branches of an oak tree, each track holds it’s own by thrusting outwards an array of musical influences in it’s garden of earthly delights. The track, ‘Aquarian Moon’, fuelled by the beat of bongo drums, hand claps, melodic strums of the guitar and rhythmic slaps of bass; while ‘Twophish’, is a funk infused flute fest. ‘Circles’, is a beautifully orchestrated piece, with a broken jazz components. ‘Sokinsikartep’, is a track that is deep as it is wide, an electronic pounding thunderous storm, while ‘Casablanca Soul’, is the polar opposite, the sweetest sounding horn sections, fingers tips that skip across the piano keys in sheer delight, happiness in a love letter.
The Age of Aquarius is believed by some to herald in a time of peace and harmony, if this is true ‘Aquarius Moon’ would be the place that we all gather together in love and appreciation for the places we call our spiritual home, where ever that may be.

Artist: Osunlade
Title: Aquarian Moon Deluxe Edition
Label: Yoruba Records
Release date: Out now
Available from: Bandcamp
Listen again: http://yorubarecords.bandcamp.com/album/aquarian-moon-deluxe-edition

Julian Gomes – The Gift The Curse

“It takes two to make a thing go right, it takes two to make it outta sight”! Which is certainly the case when it comes to Julian Gomes & Atjazz. I interviewed both ahead of their new album release, The Gift The Curse back in October. Julian is a producer and DJ in his own right and has been creating music for a decade, firstly with the G Family Project and then deciding to fly solo in 2012. Since then he has experienced success with his collaboration with Atjazz on the Overshadowed track and more earlier this year he was awarded best video for “Lovesong28″. So what happens when the two people who live across the globe from each other, who both share a passion for music come together? The result The Gift The Curse and this interview.

Q. Growing up in South Africa who were your musical heroes growing up?
A. I was influenced by a lot of music growing up, So its hard to point out one of my heroes when you think of so many musical forms, Especially when you growing up in South Africa. All I can say is that I’m grateful to have come across so much music from a young age.

Q. For all the people who may be unfamiliar with your style, how would you describe your sound?
A. Pure & Honest House Music

Q. There appears to be a special relationship emerging between British and South African artists, producers and DJs why do you think this is? And what if any, impact does this have on the current music scene?
A. I think universally that there are a lot of collaborations happening, I think the internet has helped DJ’s, Producers and general creative & exchange ideas and explore there ideas together, Which is great because Art is universal.

Q. You have collaborated with the likes of Omar, Black Coffee and of course Martin Atjazz. How does working with different artists influence your sound and creativity?
A. I’m Grateful to have collaborated with these artists because I’m a fan of their sound first and foremost. Collaborating is always exciting when the energy is on the same page, You learn a lot of things from each other and at the end of the day its all about putting out good music.

Q. Speaking of collaborations, you have been working together with Martin Atjazz on the new album The Curse The Cure, what can we expect to hear from this album?
A. Yes, The Gift The Curse, Is a project that is close to Martin and Myself. Its been a year and a half in the making. Martin and Myself came together and decided that we wanted to get into studio and write and Organic and Honest album. We happy that is officially available and people are getting to hear ”us on a plate” like martin says.

Q. There are many people who are keen to see you both play together. Will you be touring in the UK to promote the album?
A. I really like the sound of that, Need to talk to Martin about it.

Big love going out to Julian for taking the time.

When Angel Mel met Kev Beadle interview

Through out my life there have been many people who have helped to shape my love of music and non more so than my next guest. Many moons ago I discovered someone rather special, who’s musical tastes would influence me long before I had the pleasure of meeting him. I recall a time before I had access to the internet I would stay up late and listen to Kev Beadle Mind Fluid show on Solar radio. Back then I used to feverishly write down the songs that I heard on any scrap of paper in the hope that I could find those little pieces of musical gold in a record shop. All at once I was exposed to a whole new world, that captivated me until present day.
It is not everyday one get’s to meet their heroes and especially be given the opportunity to interview them. So it is with enormous pleasure that I present to you the most influential music teacher I could have ever asked for Mr Kev Beadle.
I would like to thank Kev, for his inspiration and being part of my life, it would be a very dull place with you in it.
Join Kev and I as he shares his life experiences I this two part special starting with the early years.

• How did your up bringing as a child influence your musical tastes?
We always had the radio on in the house when I was a youngster and my parents bought records from time to time. I used to spend a lot of my time recording tracks being played on the radio with a little cheapy cassette recorder with a microphone held in front of the speaker. Musically I heard a lot of top 40 music being a 60’s child, but in my early teens I also got to hear music like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd (Dark Side Of The Moon is still one of the best albums ever made), Santana and listening to 40’s jazz at my nan & grandad’s house and my next door neighbours Reader’s Digest jazz boxsets.

• Can you recall the first album you ever bought?
Not sure exactly. Think it might have been Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record ?

• What was the first concert / gig you went to that really got you interested in music and how did this capture your imagination?
Again as a kid my parents took me to a few concerts that were mainly more rocky, but the first concert I went to that completely got me into black dance music was going with my mum to see Brass Construction supporting The Detroit Spinners at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon.
My mum was (and still is) a huge soul and disco fan in the mid/late 70’s. Always listening to Greg Edwards Saturday evening show and Mike Allen on Capital Radio. She would write down the name of the tracks she liked and then on a Monday go to our local import record shop – Diamond Records in Croydon and pick up the latest 7” imports.
From that day after seeing BC I never looked back, so if there was anyone who can take responsibility for my on-going musical tastes its Randy Muller and my mum !!
From 77/78 I also used to go to the legendary Tiffany’s in Purley regularly on a Sunday night when I was 14/15. That was another major influence and where I first saw the whole Soul Boy culture and heard some amazing records for the first time…Slave, Willie Bobo, Wilbert Longmire, Aquarian Dream etc

• How & where did you begin your DJing career?
I first got behind decks when I was in 6th Form. There was a group of us who were really into our music. Three or four of us were into our soul, funk and jazz funk, another couple who were into lovers rock and dub and another couple into ska/two tone. We used set up decks in the 6th form block at school and then get invited to play at local house parties at the weekend. My mate who was into his dub used to carry and help build the speaker boxes for Jah Shaka so when we did play out it was more sound system style…one or two decks, a homemade valve amp and 12” & 18” bass bins.
When I left school and through the early 80’s I used to play in local Croydon wine bars on a Sunday night with another guy and our regular crew of dancer mates. I also met Gilles Peterson in a local record shop at this time as he was doing a similar thing in a wine bars in Sutton and Cheam.
My big break came though when I was introduced to Trevor Fung and Paul Oakenfold. They were running a club night at a venue in South Croydon where they were bringing in the likes of Jeff Young, Pete Tong, Chris Hill, Chris Brown etc to guest and Paul and Trevor asked me to warm up. Working with these DJs was major for me at that time as I was specifically going to clubs and listening to their radio shows. These guys were legends and it was an honour to play with them.
Paul and Trevor helped me a lot in those days and believed in me as a DJ and I am truly grateful to them for that. I spent a lot of time dj’ing with them over the next few years…Ziggy’s in Streatham where I also dj’d with Carl Cox from time to time and Alan AKA Arscott

• The Jazz/funk, fusion scene has quite a niche following and is renowned for the fast upbeat tempo, what do you remember about playing in these clubs?
Not all jazz funk and fusion is upbeat, but yes a lot of it got played in the jazz dance clubs.
As I mentioned jazz played a big part in my youth and buying jazz funk at school so I guess I always had it in me so was a natural progression for me.
I remember going to the jazz clubs like Jaffas etc in the West End and being mesmerised by the jazz dancers and the freestyle rhythms and basslines.
I used to play a lot of jazz in the bars I was dj’ing in at the time, but really got my first opportunity to really play it when I dj’d upstairs at Nick Holloway’s Special Branch and Monday nights at The Wag with Gilles, Sylvester, Baz Fe Jazz and Bob Jones.• Around about this time where there any particular DJs, musicians that inspired you to progress further?
I guess from the jazz point of view it has to be Paul Murphy, Colin Parnell & Boo and Bob Jones. Also George Power, Jeff Young and Robbie Vincent.• I first became aware of your radio show ‘Mind Fluid’ on Solar Radio over a decade ago, was this your first venture into radio?
No not at all. I used to do pirate radio back in 1984 on Starpoint Radio and the K-Jazz which only broadcast on a Sunday from various make shift studios around South London. Dj’s on there apart from myself included Gilles Peterson, Chris Phillips, Jez Nelson, Paul Bradshaw, Bob Jones, Baz Fe Jazz, Sylvester and an amazing salsa DJ called Tomek.

To be continued…….

Links:
TWITTER: @kevbeadle
SOUNDCLOUD: kevbeadle
PODCAST: kevbeadle.podomatic.com/

BLOG PAGE: kevbeadle.blogspot.com

— at For Kev’s interview for my blog.