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28 Sep

Posted at 18:48h in Music, Reviews
Even though much time has passed since the split of revered trio Little Brother, one of Hip Hop’s most cherished groups, deep rooted amongst many fans has been an impatient craving for something new from either 9th Wonder, Rapper Big Pooh or the artist in question today; Phonte. Whilst Wonder has given us his Wonder Years and the Foreign Exchange (Phonte’s most recent project) provided some warm, glorious memories of his musical past, the urge for something closer to home was desired by many. So for the Greensboro, North Carolina born lyricist “home” is where he returned; back to the circle of dope beats and dope rhymes for his first solo album. Having spent numerous years sharing the plaudits with his two brothers in rhyme, how would one of Hip Hop’s most revered poets handle an entire project in which it would only be him and his thoughts occupying the recording booth?

12 Aug

Posted at 01:47h in Music, Reviews
Soul Train winning French Hip Hop/R&B duo Les Nubian - made up of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart – who brought us such hits as “Makeda” and the Grammy Award nominated “Je Veux D'la Musique” in the late '90s and early 2000’s, return in 2011 after an almost eight-year hiatus with their third studio album. The follow-up to 2003’s sophomore record One Step Forward, Les Nubians return with a well-crafted “new” sound on Nü Revolution, beautifully fusing R&B, Hip-Hop, African Music and World Music elements eloquently for the discerning listener.

04 Jul

Posted at 11:00h in Interviews, Music
We have a few things to clear up about Vivian Green. Fresh from touring with Jill Scott, her debut album A Love Story was well-received in 2002 by the Soul crowd for it’s smooth and jazzy undertones. Sophomore release Vivian (2005) was questioned by many of those same fans for it’s more prevalent R&B backbone - and Green’s ‘new’ straightened, flowing locks. 'The label must have made her relax her hair', some people assumed, commercialising both her image and sound. Not the case - apparently it was quite the other way around. Discussing the real her, Vivian Green sets the record straight in this honest interview with SoulCulture. Her third and latest release, Beautiful, follows the path set by her previous album. Made with complete creation freedom, this album lets her fans know exactly who she is - and, if you’re left reaching back for her debut, shows her exactly who her real fans are.

13 May

Posted at 16:45h in Features
There are a handful of artists who, on discovery, change the way I listen to music.  Without question the first one to start the trend was Steveland ‘Stevie Wonder’ Morris.  I was seven years old when I truly understood the power of music and its potential for socio-political impact and I have Innervisions to thank for it. For a while I had been both frightened and mesmerised by the artwork on the family copy of Stevie’s 1973 album.  It took a while for me to actually put it on the old turntable as I kept examining the strange humanoid creatures on the inside cover.  I’d got it into my head that Stevie had drawn them himself and being blind these depictions were a fruit of the ‘innervisions’ of the title; strange other-worldly beings that only someone, whose remaining senses were heightened by the absence of sight, could concoct.  I know - a lot for a seven year old’s imagination - but ask anyone who knows me well enough and they’ll confirm my tendency to over-think things. Prior to listening to Innervisions my main exposure to Stevie were vague memories of him being number one in 1984 for what seemed like forever to my three-year old self with ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’ (it was actually closer to six weeks).  I remembered the Flamingo-pink

12 May

Posted at 18:25h in Interviews, Music
It is often said that in life, when one door closes, another window of opportunity opens.  Never a truer word was spoken in the case of native South Londoner Gavin ‘Hollerz’ Holligan, the former Wycombe Wanderers and West Ham striker, whose premature departure from football gave him a chance to focus on his other great love: music. Alongside Lynden David Hall, Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis and Adele, Gavin is an alumnus of the renowned BRIT School. An autodidact pianist, Holligan received his first Casio keyboard at five years old and never looked back. Fast forward nearly 25 years and Gavin is not only a sought-after session musician but a singer-songwriter, producer and entrepreneur currently doing the promotional rounds for his debut EP, We’re Coming.  Soul Culture joins him in the hustle and bustle of London Victoria Station to discuss his musical odyssey, including how he made the transition from full time sportsman to music-maker.

28 Apr

Posted at 19:54h in Reviews

Vivian Green is back on the scene with her third studio album, Beautiful - a title that simply defines her instantly recognisable voice, style and lyrics. Having written songs for the likes of Boyz II Men and Britney Spears and provided backing vocals for Jill Scott, Vivian Green’s debut A Love Story (2002) was certified Gold and featured the amazing Eric Roberson penned single "Emotional Rollercoaster". This was followed by her second studio album Vivian (2005), which debuted at number 18 on Billboard 200 charts. 2010 sees Vivian working again with long-time collaborator Anthony Bell, who takes the majority of production duties on her latest album, Beautiful.

17 Sep

Posted at 17:01h in Reviews

eric_roberson_music_fan_first cover

Eric Roberson is possibly the dark horse of the R&B/soul world. He has slowly and steadily built a loyal fan base through tireless touring and a consistently excellent output. He might not have had the exposure or major label-backing as some of his contemporaries – several for whom he has written songs– but he is far and away one of the best breakthrough acts of the past ten years.

Erro returns this year with another future classic Music Fan First – his follow-up to the gorgeous Left album. He seems to go from strength to strength with each new release and Music Fan First might be his most outstanding record yet...

25 Aug

Posted at 04:18h in Features

25TH AUGUST 2009

SOULCULTURE.CO.UK PRESENTS:

AALIYAH REVISITED TRIBUTE EP

Eight years to the day after the tragic passing of Aaliyah Dana Haughton, the original princess of R&B, ten of today’s progressively soulful artists have recorded interpretations of their favourite Aaliyah songs for Aaliyah Revisited - a 2009 tribute EP internationally curated by urban-music-and-culture online magazine SoulCulture.

Available immediately as a free download package, Aaliyah Revisited contains eight songs featuring indie soul artist and occasional Brand New Heavies vocalist Sy Smith (currently providing backing vocals for American Idol), Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Marsha Ambrosius, rising London soul talents Tawiah and Baby Sol, NYC-based beauty creator Jesse Boykins III, Danish R&B/Soul sensation Jonas, saccharine Basement Jaxx vocalist Vula, London-based producer Black Einstein, plus international future starlet Nikko Gray with California’s ‘cosmic conductor’ AFTA-1.