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Keep on movin’
HOUSE MUSIC. WE WERE MAKING REAL MUSIC'
David Pollock talks to Jazzie B from the legendary Soul II Soul Soundsystem about club classics, OBEs and the Silver Jubilee
wrong bloke.’ He‘s got a point actually. maybe
I have. Is this the same Janie B whose band Soul II Soul produced a genre defining album entitled Club Classics Vol. I just as house music was breaking through to the mainstream at the end of the 80s“? And whose songs — particularly the really big hits like ‘Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)‘ and ‘Keep On Movin" — set the template for sleek. big-vocals mainstream dance music for years to come‘.’
Yes. as it happens. but Trevor Beresl‘ord Romeo ()Bli doesn‘t see it like that. ‘Nah. we weren't making any house music or anything like that.‘ he says. ‘We were making real music. I came up engineering for rock bands. My first gig — this‘ll give you an idea where I‘m coming from — was the Queen‘s Silver Jubilee in ‘77. l was l4 or 15. playing a mixture of stuff from old James Brown up to reggae.‘
So was that a celebration of the Jubilee. or a Sex Pistols-style anti—monarchy gig‘.’ ‘lt was a real street party. man. It was a community thing where they block the streets off and people come out and celebrate. like the American block parties. Wasn’t you about in ‘77‘." l was a year old in ‘77. I tell him. 'Bastard.‘ he laughs. ‘you ain‘t got a clue then. ‘ave ya.”
He‘s the gregarious sort. is Janie. but that's probably part of the reason why his career has far outstripped the period in which Soul II Soul took up residence in the charts. A studio album hasn't been released under the name in more than a decade. while
i I never made house music. mate! You‘ve got the
32 THE LIST 30 Oct-13 Nov 2008
the last of the group‘s live UK number one singles ‘ was ‘Joy‘ in l992. yet still Jazzie DJs around the : world on a weekly basis. releases compilation CDs (the latest is on Ministry of Sound) and has his own ‘
radio show on BBC London.
Perhaps the kudos of having two Grammies under
his roof (both for Club Classics) and the keys to seven cities around the world. including New York and Los Angeles, just takes the best part of a lifetime to rub off. Yet Jamie still retains genuine affection from listeners of a certain generation. and particularly those who share his Caribbean descent.
Then. of course. there‘s that 0813. which was awarded in the 2008 New Year’s Honours List. ‘Oh
yeah. that all came up.’ he says, with a certain flush of i faux nonchalance. ‘Victim of circumstance. It’s for 3 my contribution to the music industry. but I don’t 5
know who nominated me. I‘m looking for the geezer,
though. I‘d like to know why he did it, because it’s an ,
absolute honour that [just wasn’t expecting.‘
Janie drops hints that something special will be on . the cards for the 20th anniversary of Club Classics 1
next year. while he‘ll also be co-ordinating the
seventh edition of his Back 11 Life festival in the
familial home ol~ Antigua. Whether you want to call it
house. dance or whatever, his legacy‘s still serving 3
him very well.
The Soul II Soul Soundsystem will be playing the Bulleit Bourbon Originals event at the
Arches, Glasgow, Fri 7 Nov, alongside Martha
High and Ben Westbeech.
'WE WEREN'T MAKING 5
THE BEST Dill-NCJJEJFLOOR ACTION
>l< Bestival Reunion Tour Relive the summer with an awesome line—up — Dan Le Sac vs Soroobius Pip (pictured), Cut Copy, Kissy Sell Out, Tom Middleton, Bob Da Bank and more. The Arches, Glasgow, Sat 8 Nov.
:1: Bespoke Fridays A special Dimitri From Paris guest appearance will ohristen this new venue in style. O’Couture, Glasgow, Fri 7 Nov. :1: B-Muslc Halloween Party Spooky goings on and sublime tuneage from David Holmes, Andy Votel and more. SWGS, Glasgow, Fri 37 Oct. >2: Fast Gauche brat-punk quartet Fangs play Hallowe'en at Edinburgh’s premier punk Club. Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Fri 31 Oct.
:2: Hell Prepare to be educated in the ways of Slovenian techno, with the internationally renowned Umek. Byblos, Glasgow, Fri 37 Oct.
:2: Jam We bid a fond farewell to techno night JakN as they wrap their run at Studio 24 with a joint Halloween party and fifth birthday. Studio 24, Edinburgh, Fri 31 Oct.
=E: Husika A high quality techno double bill, with Darren Emerson and Christian Smith. Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sat 8 Nov.
>1: Optima Espooklo! It’s Optimo as we know and love it, but with added scary costumes from its arty, uber- creative crowd. Sub Club, Glasgow, Sun 2 Nov.
:1: Soul Biscuits The SB crew host a ‘Best of Soul Biscuits’ special with their favourite guests, MCs, tunes and hip hop jams from through the years. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Fri 7 Nov.
:1: Sweet Potato Funk, soul, Motown, hip hop and more at this new night. Hudson Club, Edinburgh, week/y Fri.