Natasha Watts Best Soul Artist or Band finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Natasha has been a rising star on the UK soul scene for 7 years now, With 3 albums under her name a host of collaboration with some of the best the UK has to offer consistent touring supporting the likes of Gladys Knight and The O’Jays  and in last few months recording a full live album with A Hundred Birds Orchestra out of Osaka Japan ! Natasha has on occasion won and achieved runner up status in previous Soul Survivors Magazine awards. Natasha is one hard working lady! To vote for Natasha go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Roni O’Brien Best Radio Show finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Roni O’Brien – Insatiable Soul – 4pm-6pm It started for me at 13 when I discovered my brother’s record collection. I sneaked into his bedroom and played ‘Turn the music up’ and I was hooked!. I searched for soul pirate radio stations, discovering Horizon, JFM spending all my pocket money on records and concerts.
At college I organised the student discos. I regularly took 800, 17 year olds to Flicks, as well as coach loads to Kisses in Peckham, the Goldmine and Caister Soul Weekend. The presenters that influenced me were Tony Monson, Robbie Vincent, Greg Edwards, Tom Holland and Chris Hill.  I have presented my show ‘Insatiable Soul’ on Solar Radio for 15 years. During this time I was a professional presenter on community station Linkfm. I interviewed hundreds of people from ordinary people to MPs dignitaries and musicians.  Over the years my musical taste has evolved and my show Insatiable Soul reflects that. I have a themed show which is interactive for this reason love to present a live show. I mix old and new music and include the sounds of Anthony Hamilton, Soulutions, Sounds of Blackness, Teddy Pendergrass, Papik and the O’Jays. In 2006 I joined the DJ team at the Caister Soul Weekend, I also present on Caister Radio, in addition, I play at the Margate Soul Festival . I have appeared at Ronnie Scott’s and have a residency at Soul Reunited based in Romford, as well as playing at events all over the South East. To vote for Roni go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Solar Radio Best soul Internet/ DAB Radio Station finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Solar Radio – a history…Solar Radio launched some 35 years ago in the era of land-based pirate stations, broadcasting soul music to the Greater London area and gaining acclaim as a leader in thefield. The station closed in September 1985 in an ultimately unsuccessful quest to seek an FM licence, but resumed broadcasting in October 1998 on analogue Satellite when an opportunity arose to share a channel, and in June 1999 upgraded to 24 hour broadcasting, taking the further step to Sky Digital in September 2000.Solar Radio has broadcast continuous service from that time, also live streaming from our website at www.solarradio.com , and has continued to embrace new and evolving technology, including a diversity of streaming platforms and self-branded apps, plus an autonomous app for smart speakers. The music policy of Solar Radio has remained faithful to our strapline of “Classic and 21st Century Soul”, with each DJ having free choice of repertoire for airplay, this across the spectrum of soul and related genres to encompass jazz, blues and gospel music, giving airplay to classic artists from the mid-part of the last century onwards and to new and independent artists. The DJs and presenters on the station offer a wealth of experience, talent and musical knowledge, and each show is researched and produced by the DJ to display full empathy with the music and performers, and to interact with listeners via social media with the aim of building a musical bond. To vote for Solar Radio go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Soul Family Affair Best Soul Weekender finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

As a young and very naive 14 year old at the local youth club disco watching the older lads playing records on the cobbled together double decks, I thought I’d like to have a go at that and as the saying goes the rest really is history. Very soon it was me playing the records at the disco,12 months later I had own disco system this then led onto the usual weddings and parties circuit. In 1980 I was offered my 1st Dj residency on a Sunday night playing jazz funk and soul @ The Jenyns Arms in Norfolk this ended up lasting 20 years during that time many other residences also came along. In 2007 I was offered the chance to promote my very own soul weekend in Hunstanton on the Norfolk coast the weekend was soon affectionately known as the Sunny Hunny Soul Weekend. (This is mainly 60’s & 70s Soul & Motown along with a current jazz funk & boogie room) In 2013 Soul Family Affair was born off the back of Sunny Hunny, since then the event has grown each year, Ian Reading came on board in 2014 & I am proud to say we haven’t looked back. The general consensus seems to be that SFA is extremely laid back relaxed & friendly in fact I’ve had people refer to it as the best kept secret of the soul world! Thank you for the nomination. See you all at SFA 2020 when Phil Fearon will be our very special guest. To vote for SFA go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Cheeky Radio Best soul Internet/ DAB Radio Station finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Founded by husband and wife team Debra & Mark Lee and officially launched in February 2017, Cheeky Radio set out to try and do something a little different in an already crowded niche radio market by attempting to find that middle ground between an anthems play-out and something for the more discerning palate. Cheeky Radio caters for all soulful, jazzy and dance related genres with shows presented by established presenters and known live DJ’s as well as giving new presenters with no previous experience the chance to work in radio after some initial training by us. By doing this we’ve created our own unique sound and audience without taking them from other stations. The station is non-profit making, plays very few adverts and has a fantastic family atmosphere amongst our hard working presenters with whom we are grateful and very appreciative for their dedication and enthusiasm in presenting shows with a passion and knowledge of the music they play.We’ve been astounded at the stations rate of growth and the positive feedback received over the last two and half years and we are truly grateful to all our listeners for the support they’ve given us and of course, for nominating us in the Soul Survivors Awards for Best Internet / DAB Soul Radio Station for 2018. It is beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you to the each and every one of you who did so, and also a big thank you to Mr. Fitzroy Facey for producing the Soul Survivors Magazine THE essential publication for the music we know and love. To vote for Cheeky Radio go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Soul Central Best Club Event Midlands & North of the UK finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

A group of music lovers from Manchester had a passion for contemporary soul music and got talking over a glass of wine one evening. We wanted our own night and party vibe where our favourite tunes could be played to like-minded people…just as it was for us going out back in the 90’s.
Angela Mac along with husband and DJ Paul Mac plus friends, DJs Brian ‘Bizzy B’ Pemberton and Mike Stephens – well known figures on the UK soul scene – founded the brand Soul Central. We started off small at Texture in the Northern Quarter in 2016 and built up a core following that organically grew to the point where we needed to move to a bigger venue. The ‘iconic’ Band on The Wall in Manchester suited the Brand perfectly. Here we continued to build on our original vision to deliver a quality soul night with the DJs playing a mix of new, classic soul and RnB. As Soul Central developed, we invited highly respected DJs from across the UK who also brought their own unique vibe, alongside our resident DJs Mike, Paul and Bizzy. Our next big event is ‘The All Nighter’ at Night People, Manchester on 10th August 2019, including Acid Jazz Recording Artist LAVILLE and 11 guest DJs playing a mixture of Soulful Grooves. Our ethos is to support independent Artists and our club nights are about playing their tunes to other music enthusiasts. We’ve also loved being able to provide promotional and DJ support for an incredible array of artists coming to Manchester from the UK and USA. To vote for Soul Central go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

SOULUTIONS Best Soul Artist or Band finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

SOULUTIONS are the writing team of Steve Lee and Louise Mehan. Steve and Louise have known each other for over 20 years and performed together in the local clubs and pubs in the North East of England for most of that time, however, they began writing their own songs in 2007. They performed these songs under the guise of AMBIENCE, including the timeless Listen, in local venues but unfortunately they weren’t received well and the material was shoved in a drawer. Disheartened, the song writing was put on hold until 2014 when, through the persistence of Louise’s mother, Paul ‘Bumski’ Redfern, the foresight and brilliance of Gary Van den Busche and the mixing skills of Billy April (Dizabone) the track Listen became an overnight success. This gave Steve and Louise the confidence to pick up the quill again, and, in August of this year they will release their third Album ‘FATE’ following on from DESTINY and THANKFUL. Not content with just writing songs the couple wanted to showcase their songs to a public who was just as eager to see this modern soul outfit from the North East So they went about putting together a nine-piece (sometimes 10!) band, and for the last four years have performed up and down the country with overwhelming success. Steve and Louise are so proud to be nominated in the Best Soul Artist/Band category in the Soul Survivor Awards and to win the award outright would make all the very late nights in the studio, the arguments, the laughs and sometimes all the tears are worthwhile. To vote for I Got Soul  go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Bruk Up Best Club Event Midlands & North of the UK finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

We started 9 years ago the brainchild of DJ E Double D who ask three mates ( Flash G, Anne, & Garry) who shared his passion for Broken Beat and Nu Jazz music to start a night after there was no more regulars nights like this no more. After the mighty Co Op, Deep and Liquid Fusion nights stop there was no where to hear this kind of music. So instead of moping around we changed that and Bruk Up was Born.  The name came from when dancers use to challenge and say I am going to Bruk you up. This is what Bruk Up is about dancing and the music. Once you come thru the doors for the first time your now Part of the Bruk Up family and the vibe is just like that. We have had Dego, Bugz in the Attic, Kaidi Tatham, Mark de Clive Lowe, Henry Wu, Marcia Carr, DJ Amazon, Rui Fradinho and Jazzrefreshed to name but a few that have graced our parties.  As we continue we was glad to see other nights coming back which welcome and also attended. We will always champion this unique genre and if you have not come yet we will see you soon but be warned as at the end of the night with all that dancing you will feel the Bruk Up experience. To vote for Bruk Up go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Hayling Island Best Soul Weekender finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Hayling Island Summer Soul weekender & Hayling Island Spring Reggae & Soul weekender is the brainchild of 2 long time friends Scott James & Orlando Gittens. The former hailing from Romford & the latter  from Brixton they came together  with the simple objective of creating  a diverse musical village environment where all are welcomed.  Orlando & Scott have blended their cultural influences into a seamless aural weekend where all nations come together & simply party like there is no tomorrow. No area of black music goes untouched, the soul classics that rock the discos in Essex sit aside the  2 step classics that rock the basement blues in Brixton. Perfect, Brilliant, fun, laughter, love! Hayling Island is all of that & a bag of chips & Ackee ! To vote for Hayling Island go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

SALOU SOUL Best Soul Holiday finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Salou Soul Weekender’s 1st event was in 2009 and by popular demand, it’s now approaching its 11th event in Spain 5th-11th Sept 2019 attracting soul music lovers from right across the UK, USA, Trinidad, Malaga, Benidorm, Switzerland & Barcelona. This event sells out every year with over 450 attendees. 6 nights & 5 days of musical massage awaits you. Set up as a soul music holiday for the grown-ups with exclusive event band only entry. Soul Survivors Magazine nominated for Best Soul Holiday 2019. Runner up Best Soul Holiday Award Winner for 2011 & 2017. Nightly club events in a variety of fabulous venues with great sound systems exclusively for Salou Soul attendees including themed party nights, daytime events include a daytime cocktail party with panoramic views, optional catamaran cruise with drinks included plus DJs playing soulful grooves around a massive beautiful swimming pool on various days. Salou is a great location only 15 minutes cab travelling time from Reus Airport & 90 minutes transfer from Barcelona. The hotel offers a varied programme of events, entertainment & shows, situated close to the beach & town centre. Our events are within easy walking distance of the hotel. Surrounding the building are expansive landscaped gardens, which play host to 3 swimming pools & spacious sun terraces. A top line up of professional UK Soul club & Radio DJs entertain you. Musically you’ll hear the best in 70’s, 80’s, 90’s soul classics, rare grooves, disco, funk, boogie, jazz funk, soulful house, classic smooth Rnb, New Soul, revival & more in the company of the friendliest likeminded over 35’s crowd you’re ever likely to meet. To vote for Salou go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

SOUL SHACK Best Club Event London & The Home Counties finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Established in 1998 is now in it’s 21st year SOUL SHACK is YOUR 3rd Saturday of  EVERY MONTH Soul night out @ Britannia, 20 Monument Street, London, EC3R 8AJ, excellent bar prices! the best prices in the city. We attract a friendly over 35’s soul music loving crowd from all walks of life. For info & party bookings email info@soulshack.com  Resident Dj’s & founders are Solar Radio’s Ash Selector & Mi Soul’s James Anthony. Soul Shack was a weekly  Saturday Soul Night Out for the 1st 3 years of its existence and at one stage there was 4 weekly Soul Shack’s across London on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Soul Shack also went on tour to Great Yarmouth. Now operating as a 3rd Saturday of every month event. Live performances at the Soul Shack have included todays new artists including…Sa-ha-ra, Shaila Prospere, Wez, Westcoast Soulstars, Everis, Princess Freesia, Muhammad Ayers (USA), Natasha Watts, Bashiyra, Soulutions to Soul Legends including Light of the World, Junior Giscombe, Rose Windross (Soul II Soul), Change, David Joseph, Ray Carless, Shabazz (USA),Onita Boone (Germany), Georgie B (Second Image/The Groove Association), Heather Haywood (The Cool Notes), Hi-Tension, Glen Goldsmith, DaPaul, Deborah Bell, SA-HA-RA, Soulpersona. An unmissable night out worth travelling for! We’ve seen visitors from USA, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, New Zealand, Austalia, Sweden,  right across the UK and more…To vote for Soul Shack go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Zero Radio Best soul Internet/ DAB Radio Station finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Established in 2008, Zero Radio was founded by two very passionate Zero6 DJs from back in the 70/80’s, Ian Reading and Merv Griffiths who felt it was about time some of the fun and vibe from back in the day was recreated for those who were looking for something more than mainstream radio or Uber specialist stations had to offer. The station set out to play a soulful mix of music reminiscent of the best clubbing days ever and since that day, the passion and enthusiasm continues to flow in the form of a radio station committed to bringing you the best alternative soulful music together with a great selection of NuJazz and Soul that is typically forgotten about on commercial radio of today. Combined with over 25 committed DJs presenting live shows, the station prides its self with quality output 24/7 with unparalleled uptime. 

Since its inception ZeroRadio has been nominated for ‘Soul Survivors Best Radio Station’ and achieved “runner up” 3 years in a row against some of the most established stations. The team are very proud of this as it lists among the TOP Three soul based radio stations in the UK and the other two are broadcasting on DAB. This is a huge achievement for ZeroRADIO! 
We also support some pretty impressive events throughout the year as well.
Zero Radio now  broadcast via a bespoke app for both iPhones & Android and our website is built using the latest technology so you can reach us via your smart TVs as well! To vote for Zero go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Mi Soul Best soul Internet/ DAB Radio Station finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Mi-Soul is a Soulful Music platform, broadcasting across London, Brighton and Manchester on DAB, online and mobile phone apps from a fully equipped studio based in the Stephen Lawrence Trust building.  A team of over 70 DJs, the most experienced, credible and passionate in the industry, present a wide range of ‘Soulful’ music live 24/7, to an audience in the 30 – 60 age range. Mi-Soul was founded by Gordon Mac and Martin Strivens, the leading lights behind the hugely successful Kiss FM brand.  Gordon was both the first person to launch a pirate radio station which subsequently became legal and the youngest Managing Director of a radio station company at 29.  Earlier this year, Mi-Soul launched 2 new online streams – Mi-House and Mi-Grooves. To vote for Mi Soul go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Music Without Labels Best Club Event London & The Home Counties finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

When Dr Bob Jones tells you to start DJ’ing again after almost 10 years ‘out of the game’ you kind of have to listen. He has been one of many musical influencers since the 70’s and followed up his comment by booking me in 2013 at his 45 And Beyond gig. It was great being back behind the decks although I was nervous as my musical taste had moved very left of center but was surprised when my set was embraced. Following this, bookings started to come in together with guest slots of radio shows. One of these with Graham-Grumpy Brown on Stomp had an in-depth off-air conversation about the genre of music I was now into having hailed from Jazz back in the 70’s. My reply was instant and heartfelt, why give it a label, if you feel it, just play it. Music Without Labels was born with a simple thought. I create my own events so that i can play what I want, I don’t give it a label as I believe this devides us. To this end I never tell the DJ’s I book to play anything obvious, I ask them to push the dance floor, play left of center, make us want to discover new music. MWL are a team and we have been lucky to have had very succesful events bringing across DJ/Producers and musicians such as Gerardo Frisina, Josh Milan, Vick Lavender, Elbert Phillips, Ralf Gum and coming this November, Cristian Vinci. we have a strong following and for this we are blessed. To vote for MWL go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

SOUL BY THE JETTY Best Club Event London & The Home Counties finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

When we started Soul by the Jetty on Canvey Island (the home of the original Goldmine) in October 2009, we had no idea that we’d still be here and up for another award again 10-years later! We put the night on approximately every 2-3 months and now run by myself and Brian Kelly, the Jetty has always had a policy of playing new music and quality retro cuts and trying to avoid the obvious anthems where possible. It’s the edge to the music that has always attracted our loyal crowd as well as new friends and we are lucky enough to have people attending from all over the UK and further afield! We attract a mature crowd who want to dance and party like we used to back in the day at The Goldmine and similar clubs. We’ve also attracted some great guest DJ’s who understand the Jetty vibe and genuinely enjoy being able to express themselves with a broad cross-section of soul styles. (Next Jetty is 24th August with guest Paul Clark!) We are lucky enough to have won the Best Soul Club (Outside London) award twice and runner-up before that so to be included again in such illustrious company is both an honour and a privilege! Thanks again to all the Soul Survivors who have voted to get us this far and fingers crossed for a great night on 19th July!
Jonny Layton. To vote for  Soul In The Jetty go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Summer Soulstice Soul Festival finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Summer Soulstice is a not-for-profit fundraising event, started in 2007 in memory of Andy Weekes, a friend and brother to the event’s organisers. This family friendly, one day festival of soul is held annually in Barnet, north London at the end of June and has grown in size and popularity over the years. It brings together soulful people of all ages from across the south east and all corners of the UK and beyond. We raise money for a local independent charity, Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, as well supporting other smaller local causes close to our heart. With a heavyweight line-up of some of the UK’s finest soul and house DJs plus an impressive list of live artist performances over the years, Summer Soulstice has become a firm favourite on the UK soul calendar. With the generosity and support of everyone who helps to organise, volunteer, sponsor and come along each year to support, in the sunshine and rain, the festival has so far raised and donated over £300,000 to Cherry Lodge to help them continue their good work for people suffering with cancer. Summer Soulstice 2019 takes place on Saturday 22nd June at Old Elizabethans Memorial Playing Fields, Barnet.

To vote for Summer Soulstice  go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

VyBE Best Club Event Midlands & North of the UK finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018 VyBE

Luxury Soul Weekender Best Soul Weekender finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

The Luxury Soul Weekender has been established since 2003 at the 4-star Grand Hotel from elite venue selection formerly known as the Hilton Blackpool. The Weekender prides itself on offering 5 rooms of soul including live artists that in the past has included Dennis Taylor, Roy Ayers, Bobby Womack, Jean Carn, Cool Million, Incognito, Billy Paul and Chapter 8 to name but a few. Over the 16 years the event has been running with seen acts come from America, Europe and Asia supporting our unique event on behalf of Richard Searling, Ralph Tee and Ian Tolley, we thank everybody for their continued support and look forward to seeing you at one of our fantastic events in the near future we would also like to add we are delighted to be nominated for this fantastic award see you on the dance floor. To vote for LSW go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Summer Breeze Best Soul Holiday finalist in the Soul Survivors Magazine Awards for 2018

Ian Charles has a long history with Corfu that stretches back to the mid-eighties, so when the idea of Summer Breeze Soul Week blossomed during a trip there in 2011 with ex-club owner and DJ Peter Little it seemed the obvious thing to do. Phone calls were made to contacts and friends with one call in 2013 leading to a meeting with James Anthony. A team was put together, some of that original team remain to this day, DJs and artists were booked and in June 2014 the first Summer Breeze Soul Week took place. It was an inauspicious start with 85 attending nearly everyone was either Staff, a DJ, an Artist or a Friend. In 2015 the numbers almost doubled, mostly by word of mouth. In the winter of 2015 Summer Breeze restructured in time for the 2016 event where the trend continued and almost 300 joined us in Corfu. By now Summer Breeze had a core of DJs at its heart, that set the musical values and standards for the event by finely balancing entertaining and playing to the crowd while also introducing new music and artists from across the soul spectrum. A few tweaks, a few additions, some guest DJs and a policy of inviting headline acts, flying in US artists and supporting UK Soul talent has seen numbers increase year on year. Summer Breeze 2019 sold out within 48 hours of going on sale and this was before the Artists or DJs had even been announced. After another successful event in Summer Breeze is now looking forward to taking everyone on another emotional roller coaster in 2020. They have a message in their music and people are listening.

To vote for Summer Breeze go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

I started DJing at friends house parties when I was about 16 years old. Soul music was my favourite and still is. Then begun DJing at various pubs in the Old Kent Road from about 18 years old and begun some club residencies including Bon Bonnie in Herne Hill and Pantiles in Bagshot Surrey for over 8 years. I started presenting radio shows on various pirate stations in London including Kiss FM in the pirate days which was a big break for me.  When Kiss became legal in 1990 I presented the early weekend breakfast show for over 4 years, as well as covering daytime slots. I now present breakfast on Solar Radio weekdays 8am – 10am. I’ve been doing Solar breakfast for over 8 year’s now. I’m still DJing at various clubs and soul holidays, as well as my own events. Soul Music is my therapy. It still gives me goosebumps. To vote for Dennis O’Brien go to https://www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk/vote/

Issue 80 of the Feb & March edition is here. It’s dedicated to our very own Marvin Gaye ‘Trouble Man’ PTA aka Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson..Make sure you get your copy from our website www.thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk before they are no longer available