Soul II Soul: the grandmaster that transformed so many people’s lives (including mine) It’s Sir Jazzy B
You received an OBE two weeks ago and was presented with your award by Prince Charles no less. What was the day like?
“Well I have met Prince Charles before, we did the whole Princes Trust thing years ago. The day was kinda cool, my whole family came along to The Palace, had tea at The Ritz after… Charles pretended he remembered me from years ago but I have my doubts…”
The Africa Centre back in day, tell the kids reading the magazine who were still in nappies back then what it was like.
“The atmosphere was amazing. Sunday nights where the music world, arty crowd and music industry came together – everyone had their own style and just partied as one.”
Who did you party with after the 2 Grammy awards in 1990?
“I seriously can’t remember, excitement has clouded an incredible, incredible evening.”
Where is your DMC Award we gave you back in the day? In the bog?
“It’s pride of place on the mantlepiece, it was our first ever award – thank you.”
What Soul II Soul tune makes your heart pump when you hear it on the radio even today?
“Got to be Keep On Moving, such a beautiful track”.
On a personal note, what’s Teena Marie actually like? Is she as crazy as people make out?
“Erm, a little bit out of it! to say the least…”
Artists like Light Of The World and Incognito were at the forefront of giving Soul and Funk a British edge. You smashed this concept like no other act before from these shores and exported a unique sound straight back at America. Looking back now – can see your importance and understand the impact that classics like ‘FairPlay’ and ‘Back To Realitiy’ have had?
“We created our own sound and didn’t mimic anyone else which I hate to say it, a lot of these bands just copied – we didn’t. Ever. A lot of acts back then just copied US artists hoping to cash in on the American market. We stayed true to ourselves and it payed off, we were a very proud and talented bunch of performers back then and can look back at those days with our heads held very high. We were the biggest dance band of our time, but were never too big our boots. Or trainers!”
What still inspires you to travel up and down the UK gigging still?
“DJing is my first love. I adore playing different music coupled with my own sounds. I get such a kick out of it all and the rhythm still seeps through veins.”
What’s the biggest show-biz party to have ever DJ’d?
“Well 2 weeks ago I spun for Mary J Blige in Malibu in America – kinda cool…”
Who dead or alive would be in your all star ideal band line-up ?
“Easy, James Brown, Isaac Hayes and Marvin Gaye”
Your new mix album ‘Masterpiece Jazzie B’, would you say this is the ‘soundtrack’ to the inspirations of ‘Soul II Soul’.
“These are the tunes that got me into the whole scene in the first place. My love of music began with these sounds…”
Bulleit Bourbon Originals event @ The Arches, Glasgow on November 7th
Jazzie B will be performing a Soul II Soul Soundsystem set at the The live event, which also features Ben Westbeech and Pioneering soul legend Martha High, they will track the inspirational journey of Soul and Funk and demonstrate how much of the music we listen to today is inspired by original pioneering musical genres.