GIST^ | music at Marbo

HIP HOP & RnB>
MISSY ELLIOT KELIS & TALIB KWELI
Wembley Arena
Sat 19th June
Not the most obvious trio that I'd put together to represent hip hop and RnB but this could work pretty damn well. In reverse order of appearance...
Missy - 5 platinum albums later, the talented writer-producer, rapper and singer is quite simply the most important rapper to get the party started this decade. Part of the forward looking Timbaland tribe and close collaborator of the sorely missed Aaliyah. Missy knows how to burn the slow jams and more importantly 'rock da house! She'll be keen to leave London with a good rep after her last poor showing at Brixton Academy three years ago.
Kelis - Funky, alternative RnB and original poster girl for the Neptunes now on top of the world with the global success of her recent (third) album 'Tasty'. Probably the only g'friend with juicer lips than Missy, she'll be stepping up in her usual sassy slightly retro manner.
Talib - look up intelligent, conscious rapper in the who's who of music and there'll be a profile of this guy. A long term collaborator of the polymath Mos Def - Talib dropped his solo album 'Quality' in 2002 gifting fans an instant classic. Not sure how he rocks live but being a veteran of the road stateside - he should get everyone warmed up quite nicely.
Following on from Kanye's gig earlier in the month, London could be on course for a hip hop treat of a summer.

19 Wembley Arena
20 Manchester Evening News Arena
21 Glasgow SECC
22 Birmingham National Exhibition Centre

SPRIRITUAL/DEEP HOUSE>
JOE CLAUSSELL @ PLASTIC PEOPLE
Sat & Sun 5-6th June
I won't go on but this guy is a legend in his own time, mainly for being one third of the magical Body & Soul trinity. He rarely plays in the UK and even less in London, preferring to go to places like Glasgow & Manchester - yeh I know! (nah you guys all know how to rock that's why)
Anyway Danny Krivit and Francois K DJ much more frequently out of the US than he does. Whilst Danny might simplistically be described as funky-soulful-disco and Francois dubby-techy-housey. Joe goes for your soul dropping oft-vocal, afro-centric and always spiritual tunes - pure depth, he's the one that'll make you cry -
Update: my fave set of the year so far, an intimate venue, a relaxed and enthusiatic crowd, the most engaged DJ performance I've ever seen (I mean he had incense and everything!) and music that rose from the pit of your stomach to wrap itself around your heart - sublime.

SOULFUL HOUSE> WHISTLEBUMP
SUMMER BOAT PARTY
Sun 6th June
Whistlebump has been London's most consistent and down to earth soulful house and disco underground party for the past few years it's been in existence. To the extent that it's the only party in town that has headlined legendary NYC DJ Danny Krivit (Body & Soul) each year. But it's not just about getting over top international DJ's that you'd REALLY want to check out: Osunlade, DJ Deep, Jeannie Hopper but at it's core are the bump DJ's Simon & Andy delivering an up-to-date vibe and take on soulful house - keep on doing the do guys.
Boat Party - cruise up and down the Thames on a fancy Bond villain-esque boat shaking your thang to London's finest: Simon & Andy, Cosmo, Dr Bob Jones, Ross Allen & Benji B.
more info on w'bump website - get tickets quick...

AFRO FUNK/POP> ANGELIQUE KIDJO @ ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL
OYAYA
Wed 2nd June
A true star and artist, Angelique is from the Republic of Benin a smallish country on the West African Coast and she's been releasing albums for over a decade now. A fierce performer, a musical cultural historian, tracing the roots of music along side the migration of people (for example West Africa to Latin America) has led her to this next project Oyaya which is firmly South American/Caribbean (following her last Brasilian inspired effort).With Salsa and Merengue backing up her songs in Egun, Yoruba & French this is a beautiful album and will be a great performance.

SOULFUL HOUSE> JOCELYN BROWN @SOULHOUSE
Lifthouse [Farringdon, EC2]
Fri 14th May
Unlike it's mega next door neighbour Fabric, the Lifthouse is a smaller intimate space over two floors but it has a pretty decent sound system and the Soulhouse guys throw a very familial London style party on Friday nights for diverse non-teen crowd. Think Jazzy, house beats with soaring diva vocals..and speaking of Divas, they've got an appearance by Jocelyn Brown (one of the most powerful voices in the business) lined up.....hel-lo!

HIP HOP & RNB> URBAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
[Earls Court, SW5]
Sat-Sun 8-9th May
Jay-Z's last 'Black' album is a tour de force and return and he has not played on these shores for a long time. If he shows, this event will be worth going to just for his headline on each day. If he doesn't there's still his missus and lots more to check out. RnB & Hip Hop are now pop but it's all good and there are some of our UK street faves there to like, Lemar, Roots Manuva & Ty (who've got a killer tune out at the moment - hope they mash up with this track - 'oh you want more' the full line up is damn impressive - everyone's got the quality and with good support this should a dope event.

NU JAZZ> MATTHEW HERBERT BIG BAND & BUGGE WESSELTOFT BARBICAN [King's Cross N7] Thurs 29th April These two make such good sense together - London's leader of the new school of jazzy, dancey, kitchen-sink electronica meets an ambient-loving Norwegian jazz man par excellence who's been 'dabbling' with dance music forms...a perfect match. Both have released a small collection of very involved albums (Moving, Sharing, Goodbye Swingtime) of such good quality and live you might be lulled off to sleep one minute and be toe tapping furiously the next - trust me that's a good thing. JazzLand Records	MUSIC FESTIVAL> TRIPTYCH ABERDEEN, EDINBURGH & GLASGOW 28 APR - 2MAY Lat year this collection of events featured Grace Jones' only UK performance that year along with sets from DJs like Vickter Duplaix in various clubs all around Glasgow, Edinburgh & Aberdeen so it's quite a varied event. This year artists and DJs include - Amp Fiddler(Soul/Fink), Gwen Mcrae!(Soul), Prine Paul (Hip Hop), Franz Ferdinand(Pop/Rock)1, Gilles Peterson, Mum - all sorts, all over. This weekend Scotland is the place to be.
JAZZ FUNK> NATHAN HAINES JAZZ CAFE [Camden NW1] Fri 30th April First live gig of this year for Jazz/Funk Saxophonist Nathan Haines. Last year's follow up album Squire for Hire didn't generate as much heat as his UK/Worldwide debut but it still had some pretty darn good tracks including the Marlena Shaw featuring title track which was a club hit. Jazz Cafe brings out the best in most performers live due to it's intimacy so I expect this to be a jumping fun night out.
FUCKED UP DISCO> HORSE MEAT DISCO South Central/Dukes, [Vauxhall SE11] Fri 30th April Discolocated thunk musique Polysexual party for the hungover and the hangers-on with Greg Wilson (Hacienda), James Hillard (Nuphonic), Severino and Luke Howard(Defected/Queer Nation).

HOUSE> TIMMY REGISFORD
NICHE | EGG [King's Cross N7]
Sat 24th April
Niche is back again at Egg, the second installment of this monthly gig from the promoters of the long-running Southport Soul/Dance Weekender. The launch night featured a very strong line-up (Joey Negro, Julius Papp, Nicola Conte and Kev Beadle) and this shows them keeping up standards. In fact with TIMMY REGISFORD, resident DJ at NY's longest running night (Club Shelter) in the house they are raising the bar methinks and that's not the end of it. With the excellent Phil Asher & the esteemed Dr Bob Jones representing London-based Chilli Funk (keep pushin out the soulful stuff guys) Vikter Duplaix with the future soul Philly vibe and Radio 1's Benji B keeping up might be an understatement.
DJs:
Floor 1
Club Shelter NYC with Timmy Regisford (6 hour set)
Floor 2
Chilli Funk with Phil Asher, Lofty and Dr. Bob Jones plus a live performance from Vanessa Freeman
Floor 3
BBC 1xtra Live Broadcast

SOUL> LIZZ WRIGHT & REGGIE WATTS
JAZZ CAFE [Camden NW1]
Sat 24th April
You can't go wrong if you're doing your own thing and where it come's to the talented Lizz Wright, there ain't much wrong there at all. Lizz Wright hails from Philly and before you'all go not another one! She's managed to carve out her own niche as something of an independent spirit (her album by day by night has been retailing very well from her website). She lays her plaintive, jazzy vocals over lovely, simple melodies and beats (a rare thing in these production-heavy days).
In support is Reggie Watts - a Seattle based artist who combines a jazz vocal style with slightly more rock/pop vibe.
Both of these guys should give a great live performance and fit in very well in the UK - check em out for something soulful but different.

LOUIE VEGA & JOE CLAUSSEL
CHOICE ALBUM LAUNCH> VERTIGO | THE CROSS
SOULFUL/LATIN HOUSE> Sun 25th Apr
Two equally legendary dons of house music, purveyors of grown up dance music who've not spun for us together before in the UK touch down for what will be a special night, to promote 'NuYorican' Lil Louie's album of soulful classics - Choice.
A great event, it will be unmissable - I really mean it too if you've never caught either of these guys play and you enjoy soulful or latin influenced house then go! The rest of you know the score (Body & Soul meets Masters at Work - say nuttin more).
London
Sunday 25th April
The Cross, London - Vertigo Present 'Choice' album launch Party
Manchester
Saturday 24th April
Sankeys Soap, Manchester - Redlight Present 'Choice' album launch
tickets: 0161 832 1111

WARM | MEDICINE BAR
HOUSE-TRONICA> Sat 24th Apr
[Great Eastern St E2]
The association of the Warm events with the Sonar Kollectiv elevates the Warm events above the usual fare and make this another worthwhile night this bounteous weekend. With Deyampert, George Levin and a back on form Jazzanova on their roster this is a good chance to catch that ever so slightly jazzier/more instrumental european dance vibe. Joining the Sonar Kollektiv DJ's will be Atjazz one UK's best/underground producers.
Onne for the futuretronic fans to check out - see ya there!

PLAYBACK
BREAKS/ HIP HOP
FUNKY>
Fri 16 Apr
4HERO & FILA BRAZILLIA | NEIGHBOURHOOD [W11]
Another friday and a different style for in form Neighbourhood. This is a new night featuring live performances from 4 Hero and then DJ sets from them and Fila Brazillia another one of London's longest serving electronica producers spanning styles from ambient hip hop to funky and broken beats, this promises to be an interesting 'West London' event.

20:00 - 02:00. £10 (£8 before 22:00)
photograph by Michael Mees

MUSICA | SOULFUL HOUSE> Fri 09 Apr
BOBBY & STEVE | NEIGHBOURHOOD [W11]
Regulars at Ministry, Bah Rumba and Kiss FM - Bobby & Steve have been at the forefront of US house, soulful house, garage and all styles vocal and uplifting.
This is a one-off event at West London's home of the groove and if you like your house funky and chunky (listen) then check em out.
Also featuring Studio 54 DJ: Diego Ramirez.
20:00 - 02:00. £10 (£8 before 22:00)

SOUL/FUNK/ELECTRONICA> Sat 10 Apr
KING BRITT & CHARLIE DARK | FABRIC [EC1]
King Britt is the Philly based producer and Charlie Dark the man behind London-based Blacktronica both are champions of the progressive sounds evolving from genres such as Hip Hop, Soul and Funk whatever you want to call it - future soul, future boogie, broken etc it's all good so expect a night full of beats, beeps, tweaks and funky shitz.

HIP HOP/FUNK/HOUSE> Thurs 25th Mar ASYLUM \| THE KEY [King's Cross N7] Asylum is a long-running night at one of Leeds' popular clubs Mint. Having built up a great vibe underlined by their ethos of '...creating a credible and rereshing direction, a place to make friends, dance in a safe environment and to celebrate a love of music'. These guys are heading south with a monthy residency at The Key club in King's Cross. And with the headline grabbing combo of Jazzy Jeff (providing a beats heavy mix of hip hop, soul, disco and deep house) and Bill Brewster (disco and funky house) this promises to be a great night. DJs: Jazzy Jeff, Bill Brewster & James Priestly A night of more-dimensional music.	HOUSE/'TRONICA> Sat 27th Mar WARM \| MEDICINE BAR [Great Eastern St E2] It's always a pleasure to have Jazzanova in town. Pioneers off nu-jazz and electronica long before it became a cliche they meander between the soulful and electronic with ease.
	> Sat 27th Mar GILLES PETERSON \| PLASTIC PEOPLE [Curtain Road E2] Plastic is the perfect overground, underground club - small but not overcrowded it draws a loyal and relaxed crowd. It the perfect spot for uber London DJ, GP to do this thing.

HOUSE/FUNK> Sat 20th Mar
NICHE | EGG [N7]
The 'Southport Weekender' a twice-yearly event, has achieved a level of success, loyalty and infamy that could not have been envisaged when the organisers started throwing dance music parties in 1987. Spanning genres from House, R&B, Hip Hop, Disco, Northern Soul and Soul and drawing in every single top name US & International and UK DJ (ever!) in that time, this now 3 day event is held as something really special by afficionados and newcomers alike, those who see music as= life.
Effectively it's the Glastonbury of Dance, but on a holiday camp.
This event sees the launch of a monthly residency at London's newest and award winning 'big' club Egg and it couldn't be more eagerly anticipated.
Expect to feel the love from all the regulars and newcomers like us who've never made it to the real deal before. A special treat will the San Fran Deep House vibe on Floor 2 courtesy of Julius Papp.
DJs: Joey Negro[House], Julius Papp[Deep House], Nicola Conte (Italy) and Kev Beadle [Jazz Funk, Broken Beats]
the perfect event for open-minded dance music lovers.

SOUL> Sun 21st Mar
ANG!E & OMAR | CARGO [N7]
ANG!EE the Nu-Soul sensation will be performing her fantastic new single & many songs from her forth-coming album. An inspirational & talented singer, songwriter ANG!EE’s collection of songs would sit comfortably right next to your, Macy Gray’s, Musiq Soul Child’s, Angie Stone’s, Maxwell’s, Erykah Badu’s, Bilal, Nina Simone’s, Alicia Keys, D’Angelo’s, or even your India Aire’s.

OMAR “the reigning don of UK soul” by Face Magazine and “the original nu-classic soul guvnor” by DJ Trevor Nelson fresh from Touring USA & Japan. We have the pleasure of sharing his company for this one night only!

LIVE: ANGIEE + SPECIAL GUEST: OMAR
DJS: KWESI (Minc.Records™ & RICHBEGGAR, INDIGO) + C&K (Minc.Records™ & Steppaz Convention, Nu Garage Central, PURE SILK)
7.30pm-12am
£8adv. More On the Night
text courtesy of Cargo

DEEP HOUSE> Sun 21st Mar
BUZZIN FLY [BEN WATT & MARTIN SOLVEIG] | NEIGHBOURHOOD [W11]
There are 2 kinds of CD's released by clubs - ones that aim to cash in quick and those that try to give something back - for those who made it and those who never did.
The Lazy Dog guys fell into the later camp and having launched and migrated in pretty successful fashion to the 'Neighbourhood' club. Ben Watt is at it again with the first CD launch from Buzzin Fly his next generation Sunday Session with DJ Chris Woodward. Which, along with DTPM or Underdog at Notting Hill Arts Club are the only places you should be out dancing on a Sun eve)
This promises to be a cracker - the big one - el grande if you get my drift..with Ben just back from Miami (Laawd help us, DJ done got new tunes!) and he's brought back a friend - special guest, the young, the french, the ....Martin Solveig of Africanism fame. You know 'Rocking Music...I want you to....get inside..bringing slice of arab/afro funk/house to the party like only a Parisien can. Oh and just check this DIY remixer out - tons of fun for you bedroom DJs!)
One of the reasons why Mr Watt has been able to create a special vibe in all his DJ guises is that he makes tracks too and usually they're the best ones in the set so have two music-makers dj-ing is great thing non?
Resident DJs :: BEN WATT :: CHRIS WOODWARD
Guest :: MARTIN SOLVEIG (Mixture / Africanism, Paris)
17h00 - 00h00
£6 (free before 19h00)

as if that wasn't enough....

SUNDAY MARCH 21ST
ACCIDENTAL RECORDS SPECIALwith
MATTHEW HERBERT & FRIENDS
PLASTIC PEOPLE
7.30PM - MIDNIGHT
£5.50


	SOUL> fri 28th Feb MUSIQ \| SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE [W12] Musiq Soulchild is the name that Philadelphia-born Talib Johnson goes by but that's the only thing about this R&B artist that doesn't ring true. One of the leaders of the new school, flowing on from D'Angelo, Maxwell, Dwele etc, Musiq managed to land with a strong debut ajuswannaseing that represented his own storytelling style. This was followed up with juslisen a smooth evolution that added a new degree of sophistication to the sound and groove. He has a great soulful voice, with slight echoes of Donny Hatthaway but Musiq is probably the best lyricist/poet amongst his peers, singing about love in a way that paints his stories firmly in your mind. This tour is to promote the new album Soulstar, soulchild...true Soulstar is more of musiq, no radical changes just a smooth progression and features an absolute gem every other track...

DEEP HOUSE> fri.28th Feb WHISTLEBUMP \| EGG [KINGS CROSS ] Simon Haggis and Andy Crowther's throw some of the best parties in London under the Whistlebump banner. If you had to give an award for services to soulful house music in London then surely they'd win it, not only are they great DJ's in their own right but they seem to get some of the very best house music DJ gurus to play. Last year for example: Osunlade, Danny Krivit and DJ Deep, Bugz & Phil Asher to name a very few. What they do, they do out of love of quality soulful house music and that makes them number one in my book. As they only have their parties every few months or so, they're really worth checking out. This is their 5th birthday party and their best lineup yet. DJs :: Danny Krivit (NYC) \| Simon Haggis \| Gilles Peterson \| Kev Beadle \| Andy Crowther \| Andy Pirie(Glasgow) \| Chris Menist tickets


SOUL> sun.8th - thurs 12th Feb DWELE \| Jazz Cafe [Camden Parkway - nw1] Dwele's album Subject was in MarBo's top five 2003 releases and the best in Soul/RnB since guys like Musiq & D'Angelo. The speed with which tickets have sold for this event is testament to the underground popularity of the latest export from US' motor city - Detroit - with incredible musical pedigree - having collaborated with Slum Village, Bahamadia and many more Philly Soul peeps. This is the perfect opportunity to see one of the finest voices in modern soul in an intimate setting surrounded by a very appreciative crowd. Dwele is definately here to stay and is as true as they get.

DEEP HOUSE> fri.6th Feb UNDERDOG - DJ JAY HANNAN \| the end [west central st - wc1] Last year Jay & Ben, having brought back sunday clubbing to the masses at west london's notting hill arts club decided to move onwards and upwards from Lazy Dog. Underdog continues at NHAC on sundays and has been growing quite nicely. This is the launch party for their first CD and it takes place at the end - one of Londo's best larger clubs - should be fun. ticket info: www.underdogclub.com or www.the-end.co.uk or call 08700 600 100 DJs: JAY HANNAN, KASKADE (IT’S YOU ..IT’S US….IN LOVE!)