Interviews

Jill Scott - who is Jill Scott .? Words & Sounds Vol 1

Jill Scott's first album, when released in 2000, had everyone asking the question - Who is Jill Scott? She seemed to appear out of nowhere and blow up instantly with this stunning album that still sounds fresh today as it did when released. Fusing hip hop, jazz, spoken word and Neo soul, it earned Jill a Grammy Award nomination.

Jill's talents were discovered by Questlove from The Roots. During a studio session Jill co - wrote the Roots track 'You Got me ' a track that also featured the vocals of Erykah Badu.

I had the pleasure of seeing Jill perform live when my friends and I travelled to London around the same time this album was released.

Her second album Beautifully Human / Words & Sounds Vol 2 and third album The Real Thing Words & Sounds Vol 3 are also excellent.

Miles Davis - Sorcerer

This was the first Jazz album I bought when in my late teens. I was drawn to the cover picture art which is a painting of Miles then girlfriend and future wife and actress Cicely Tyson. Coincidentally a friend of mine had the same artwork hand painted into a cool picture for his apartment wall.

At the time I was buying a lot of Detroit Techno & House records. Juan Atkins had a track called "Jazz is the Teacher" so I knew I had to explore this music. Prince of Darkness is my favourite track from this album. It is frantic, beautiful, and uplifting. The album also features the talents of Wayne Shorter who recently passed away R.I.P.

Roy Ayer's - Virgin Ubiquity unreleased 1976 - 1981 Part I & II

Roy Ayers was one of the first black artists from the soul, jazz spectrum who's records I started to search out. “A Tear to a smile” was the first album of his that I bought. This release in 2003 on London's BBE records is an absolute classic .

The quality of these tracks is ridiculous and crazy to think these tracks were sitting in Roy's attic unreleased. Both Part 1 & Part 2 are full of jazz funk disco gems. If I had to choose one track it would be “Oh what a lonely feeling”. It's a killer tune that starts off slow then builds and builds as Merry Clayton's amazing vocal elevates the track higher and higher with Roy's backing vocal in tow. Sublime.

Teddy Bryant - “In the beginning”

I came across this album flicking through the racks in my local record store All City Records in Dublin. It came out in 2021 and it gets played a lot in my house, especially at dinner time.

A contemporary soul and R&B album that channels the sounds of the great Prince, Marvin Gay, Sade and Quincy Jones. I have the album artwork framed on the wall in my house, that's how much I appreciate Teddy's music.

Teddy has also collaborated with House producer Space Ghost on a beautiful 12 inch called “Heaven Sent” that is worth searching out too. If you are a soul music fan you need Teddys music in your life.

The Who - Quadrophenia

There was a big Mod revival in the mid 80's in Ireland and my older brother was a Mod so I grew up listening to this album and I've watched the movie many times over the years.

Set in 1964 it captures the life of young working-class mod who is trying to figure out his life while trying to escape his mundane job by partying hard, riding his scooter, wearing nice suits, fighting rival rockers and of course listening to soul music and music by The Who.

This album is epic and I would describe it as deep soulful rock music. 'Love Reign O'er me' is my one of my favourite tracks with Roger Daltry's soaring vocals it gives me goosebumps every time. The track “I am one” is another favourite. It was written and sung by lead guitarist and keyboardist Pete Townsend.