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artists from the uk, artists from the uk that sing soul music, beverly knight, british artists, carleen anderson, Geoffrey Williams, good soul music, hil st soul, list of favorite british artists, list of favorite soul artists from the uk, omar, shaun escoffery, soul artists from the uk, terri walker, uk soul artists
by vivrant thang on uk soul and my favorite things
As we know, not all good soul music comes from artists here in the States.
The success of artists like Corrine Bailey Rae, Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse have certainly put the UK on the map in recent years. Duffy and Adele are getting there as well. However, there are so many other artists across the water who have been making music for years and haven’t gotten the same recognition.
Omar, Incognito, Brand New Heavies are just a few of the British artists that have been in constant rotation on my ‘pod for years now. If not on yours as well, shame on you! 🙂 While grooving with Omar recently and reminiscing on the last time I saw him in concert, I started on a little journey to discover just what other flava the UK could put in my ear.
As with all of my “favorite things” list, this one is not comprehensive by any means. Please hip me to any others I should be checking out in the comments. Also be sure to visit the UK Soul site which definitely helped me discover a lot of the artists featured here.
Beverly Knight “The Queen of UK Soul”
official | myspace
Hil St. Soul
myspace
I had the pleasure of seeing Hil in concert last summer and she is amazing live – even better than the album if that’s possible.
Shaun Escoffery
official | myspace
Terri Walker
official | myspace
Geoffrey Williams
myspace
Carleen Anderson
official | myspace
Natalie Williams
official | myspace
Ola Onabule
official | myspace
Bryn Christopher
official | myspace
Alice Russell
official | myspace
Aaron James Cashell
official | myspace
Vivienne Woo
myspace
Adelaide McKenzie
official | myspace
Steph Newton
myspace
Rasiyah
myspace
Bembe Segue
myspace
Eska
myspace
Sarina Leah
myspace
Taiwah
myspace
Alyson Joyce
myspace |
Kyra Simone
official | myspace
Get into these artists! You won’t be disappointed.
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 
Hey here it is … your UK Soul post you have been promising.
Must say a few of the artists you have mentioned here are new to me so will have to spend an hour or two (of works time, of course) checking out their myspace and seeing wot they have on offer!
It’s great that you have highlighted the UK scene, 99% of Brits havn’t heard of most of the artists you have mentioned, never mind u guys in the US. UK soul is definitely up-and-coming (see Adele, Duffy, Amy Winehouse) but the really exciting artists who have something fresh and new to offer (Tawiah!!!, Eric Lau and those featured on his album) are not promoted at all, which sucks!
If you guys only check out one of these artists make it Tawiah, her debut EP is outstanding (also check Eric Lau’s New Territories which she is featured on). Not sure if it’s available in the US but if it is BUY IT … you will not be dissappointed!
End of my rant … I’m off to find myself some new music!!!
(P.S. Anyone else eagerly awaiting release by Jazmine Sullivan & Raphael Saadiq?? … I’m going out my mind!)
(P.P.S. @ Viv – in your review of the Omar concert you briefly mentioned Yazarah, thanks for the tip … just got hold of her ‘The Prelude’ EP which is a great addition to my ever-growing collection)
Yes! I am so excited. I am a huge Alice Russell fan already. If you run out of music with her cited as the artist check for her vocals on tracks by Quantic Soul Orchestra and TM Juke…
@Soul UK – FINALLY got around to it and this is not really not even to the extent that I wanted to do it but just had to get it up.
Some of these artists I actually did get from Eric Lau’s page and I think I have you to thank for hipping me to him in a previous post. Rahel I believe was another one – and I’m digging her too.
I am SO excited about both albums. I’ll actually getting a preview this weekend of Ray Ray and Jaz as they are both performing here at an outdoor festival. Hopefully I’ll be able to get video for you. I have no idea what the set up will be.
Yes, Yaz has really grown as an artist and a performer over the past few years or so. Her voice and stage performance has really matured. I look forward to seeing what comes next with her.
Please stop back and let me know if you liked any of the new folx. Some of them – I liked the music on their pages but wasn’t feeling their live performances.
@thembi – I am still so BUMMED that I missed her when she came here. I hear it was a HOT show. I still need to get my hands on more of her stuff. If you’re an AR fan, you might like Natalie Williams too – who I also have featured. I love her sound. Thanks for commenting.
Oh, here you go. My UK fam are DOING IT!!!! They’ve inspired me so much. And I’m so glad that my Alice Russell stannery has finally gained traction.
I gotta add on…
Eska
New Sector Movements
Silhouette Brown
Reel People
Olatuja
Lewis Taylor
Ben Westbeech
Heidi Vogel
Vanessa Freeman
Bembe Segue
Robert Mitchell
Mpho Skeef
See, you done got me started.
@stylus – I was waiting on you to get over here because I knew you’d be adding on to my list. Muchos gracias. I can hear the international influence in much of your stuff I’ve heard over at PV – and love it.
A couple of these are already on there – at the bottom. The ones that aren’t, I’ll be adding. I want this to be a reference list of sorts.
I’m just learning about many of these artists I’m ashamed to say. Like I should have been up on Carleen, Beverly and Geoffrey. They are legends. *smh* Well, never too late to learn. So keep them coming!
Did you make the AR show here? I am still pissed that I didn’t get my ticket in advance and missed out. She needs to be at the 930 or BC next time.
I got so carried away I couldn’t even read accurately. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Eska. Kicking it in London with her and watching her rip with a jazz combo will always be a cherished memory. Bembe is a sweetie too and definitely following her own heart creatively. She’s long overdue for a return trip to DC.
Since AR and I made a baby in my mind (it was a spiritually abstract thing, had something to do with her voice, my brainwaves and the miracle of immaculate conception… our relationship is pure), it was imperative that I was front row center BOTH TIMES she came to DC.
I don’t play.
I’m also trying to make a mind-baby with Beate S. Lech of Beady Belle, but I digress, cuz she’s married and all… Along with Linn from Sweden, I’m spreading my spirit love pretty thin. I just love a pretty voice.
Alice will definitely be at a bigger spot next time. The secret is out. The first time it was just her hardcore fans and a few curious folk that got a big surprise. Donna and crew cajoled her into making a side trip from NYC and she was hesitant to perform with just an acoustic guitarist/DJ (word to TM Juke). She was bowled over with all the love everyone showed so she came back with the full mash-out squad the second time.
But yeah, it’s NEVER to late to learn. That’s the joy of music. There’s an infinite amount of new, exciting stuff to discover. The only people that care about being hip to stuff before everyone else are the people who use their tastes as measurements of social status. Those are the same folk that hate when someone they were up on first blows up and gets a much bigger fanbase.
I make new discoveries every day, and sometimes I’m “late” but so what? I’m not familiar with a bunch of folk in this post.
BTW, this post requires ceremonial recognition of some other pioneers of modern UK soul to go along with Incognito, Omar and the Heavies:
Soul II Soul
Loose Ends
Young Disciples
Yup!
God bless your heart! I found some hot new music to listen to and some artists to add to my playlist. Thanks!
Hey, you know Carleen’s cousin is DARNELL LEVINE! the incredible singer/songwriter from the US. check him out…………………….www.darnelllevine.com
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LEWIS TAYLOR.
I heard he may have retired after the music industry gave him spiritual indegestion. People were, and still are, singing his praises.
His album with “Lucky”, “Bittersweet” and “Damn” changed my LIFE.
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