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Soul II Soul

From Alfawiki
Soul II Soul
Company typeMusical collective
IndustryMusic
Founded1988
FounderJazzie B
Headquarters
London
,
United Kingdom
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Jazzie B
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances
Number of employees
Various members over time

Soul II Soul is a London-based British musical collective established in 1988, famed for their chart-topping singles "Keep On Movin'" (1989), which climbed to number five in the UK and number eleven in the US, and its successor "Back to Life," which secured the top spot on the UK charts and reached number four across the Atlantic. The ensemble has been honored with two Grammy Awards and garnered five Brit Award nominations, including two nods for Best British Group.

Career

Initially, the collective emerged as a sound system operated by founder Jazzie B, hosting events at the Africa Centre in London. Although the venue accommodated roughly 300 attendees, weekly turnouts frequently surpassed this figure, amplifying their prominence. Jazzie B remarked that the controversies linked to these gatherings actually fueled their allure.

By 1988, the confirmed roster comprised Jazzie B, Caron Wheeler, Nellie Hooper, Simon Law, Doreen Waddell, Rose Windross, Daddae, Aitch B, and Jazzie Q. Their first single, "Fairplay," featuring Rose Windross and recorded at the Africa Centre, reached number 63 on the UK Singles Chart. The subsequent release, "Feel Free," with vocals by Doreen Waddell, attained number 64.

As their club night’s following expanded, it relocated to the larger The Fridge in Brixton, South London, where they experimented with blending British, Caribbean, African, and African American musical influences. In 1988, this residency featured a significant performance by rap group N.W.A. promoting Straight Outta Compton. A commemorative plaque honors their impact at this venue, which closed in 2010 before reopening as Electric Brixton.

During the late 1980s, Jazzie B and other members were involved with local pirate radio stations; Jazzie B also hosted a program on KISS-FM.

In March 1989, their record label issued "Keep on Movin'," with Caron Wheeler on vocals; it sold over one million copies in the United States. Their debut album Club Classics Vol. One was released in April 1989, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and achieving global sales exceeding four million copies. The track "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" became their most successful single, hitting the US top five and topping UK charts; it earned them a Grammy in 1990. Although they continued to enjoy success in the UK, "Back to Life" marked their final hit in the US market.

Towards the end of 1989, both Waddell and Windross departed from the group; Marcia Lewis, who is Jazzie B’s cousin, joined as a new member. The single "Get a Life," featuring Lewis as lead vocalist, peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and sold more than 60,000 copies domestically. Lewis made her debut appearance on Top of the Pops, performing alongside Caron Wheeler and Jazzie B.

1990: Volume II A New Decade and lineup changes

In early 1990, Caron Wheeler left to focus on her solo career. Jazzie B brought in vocalists he had collaborated with previously, such as Kym Mazelle, Lamya, and Victoria Wilson-James. This revamped lineup produced their sophomore album Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade, which also reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.

Singles from this album achieved notable success: "A Dreams a Dream", featuring Victoria Wilson-James, enjoyed strong chart placements; "People", led vocally by Marcia Lewis, attained moderate success in the UK and performed well on dance charts; "Missing You", with Kym Mazelle’s vocals, also charted favorably. Throughout the mid-1990s, Soul II Soul toured across the UK including a live performance at Brixton Academy, which was released as A New Decade: Live from Brixton Academy. Following this tour, Wilson-James, Mazelle, and Lewis left to pursue individual solo ventures.

1991–1993: Volume III Just Right and further lineup adjustments

In 1991, to secure lead vocalists for their third studio project, Jazzie B enlisted several guest artists such as Richie Stephens, Kofi, Penny Ford, Rick Clarke, and brought back Caron Wheeler for the recording sessions.

Volume III Just Right was released in April 1992, featuring the lead track "Joy" performed by Stephens, which achieved a top ten position on the UK charts. Subsequent singles like "Move Me No Mountain" led by Kofi and "Just Right" saw moderate chart impact, contributing to modest album sales.

The group conducted a brief tour in 1993. In November of that year, they issued their greatest hits compilation Volume IV The Classic Singles 88–93, including the single "Wish" with new addition Melissa Bell taking lead vocals.

1994–1997: Volume V Believe, evolving lineup, and Time for Change

Caron Wheeler rejoined Soul II Soul in 1994 to participate in the fourth album's production but departed during the process due to artistic disagreements with Jazzie B. Penny Ford officially assumed lead vocal duties, supported by backing vocalists Charlotte Kelly, Melissa Bell, and Lamya who all contributed to the album.

In January 1995, Soul II Soul performed a live rendition of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" alongside Isaac Hayes on French television. The single "Love Enuff," featuring Penny Ford as lead vocalist and retaining Wheeler's background vocals, was released in June. The group promoted this track with an appearance on Top of the Pops.

Their fourth studio album, Volume V Believe, arrived in August 1995. Its second single, "I Care," fronted by Charlotte Kelly, reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.

August 1997 saw the release of their fifth studio album titled Time for Change, which included singles such as "Represent" and "Pleasure Dome".

1998–2006: Disbandment and subsequent developments

In 1997, Daddae teamed up with Joey Jay and Norman Jay to create I n I Deal With Roots, a roots reggae dub album under the name The Truth. This work gained popularity among followers of Jah Shaka and incorporated elements of drum and bass along with bass lines sampled from prominent reggae tracks. The official disbandment of Soul II Soul occurred in 1998, with members embarking on solo ventures. Wilson-James, Mazelle, Lamya, and Kelly each released successful solo projects. Marcia Lewis and Kym Mazelle moved into educational roles. In 1999, Charlotte Kelly's debut album featured the chart-topping Dance single "Skin". Despite their split, Soul II Soul reunited occasionally for select performances during this period.

Tragically, Doreen Waddell passed away at age 36 in March 2002 following a traffic accident after a shoplifting incident. Later that year in July, Lamya launched her solo debut Learning from Falling, which included the number-one Dance chart hit "Empires (Bring Me Men)".

2007–2012: Reunion period

Soul II Soul reassembled in 2007 at London's Lovebox Festival with original members Caron Wheeler and Jazzie B joined by Aitch B and newcomer MC Chickaboo. A BBC Radio 4 documentary about the band aired in December 2008. Sadly, Lamya died of a heart attack in January 2009.

The Soul II Soul Sound System featuring Caron Wheeler toured Australia in February 2009 and performed at Yasalam free concerts during the 2009 Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix festivities in October.

In 2010, the group embarked on a reunion tour including Jazzie B, Caron Wheeler, Rose Windross, Kym Mazelle, Charlotte Kelly, Aitch B, and MC Chickaboo, continuing into 2011. Following this tour, Kelly and Wheeler continued to perform intermittently as lead singers. In 2012, they returned to Lovebox Festival with Kelly as the featured vocalist. That June, Soul II Soul were honored with the PRS Heritage Plaque award; key members were present and performed. In August, they appeared at Channel 4's "House Party". December saw them perform on Later... with Jools Holland, delivering classic hits led by Wheeler’s vocals while announcing plans for a new album.

2013–present: Recent developments

In April 2013, Jazzie B teamed up with Charlotte Kelly to introduce the Soul II Soul "Classics" Collection at Harvey Nichols in London, which included T-shirts and sweatshirts emblazoned with the Funky Dred emblem. That same year, Kelly departed once more, and Wheeler made her return to the group. In 2014, Soul II Soul took the stage at the Lovebox Festival.

The year 2016 saw the release of the single "A New Day," credited to Caron Wheeler and produced by Jazzie B alongside Louie Vega. Additionally, they launched the live album Origins: The Roots Of Soul II Soul on December 9, 2016.

In May 2017, Soul II Soul performed at Electric Brixton, featuring Caron Wheeler and Charlotte Kelly as the principal vocalists.

On August 28, 2017, former member Melissa Bell passed away due to kidney failure.

Soul II Soul made an appearance on Jools' Annual Hootenanny during New Year's Eve 2017.

Current members

  • Jazzie B – co–lead vocals, DJ (turntables), rapper, producer, programming (1988–present)
  • Charlotte Kelly – lead vocals (1994–1997), (2008), (2010–2013), (2017–present)

Touring and session musicians

  • Ellen Blair – violin (1988–present)
  • Gota Yashiki – programming (1988)
  • Nellee Hooper – producer, programming (1988–1997)
  • Simon Law – producer, keyboards, drums (1988)
  • Emma "S.E.L." Louise – backing vocals (2007–2017)
  • Samantha Pennells – backing vocals (2007–2017)
  • Jody Findley – backing vocals (2007–2017)
  • MC Chickaboo – DJ (turntables), rapper (2007–2018)
  • Gill Morley – violin (2007–present)
  • Nadine Caesar – backing vocals, co–lead vocals (2018–present)
  • Nikisha Reyes – backing vocals (2018–2020)
  • Tanya Edwards – backing vocals (2018–2020)

Former members

  • Doreen Waddell – co–lead vocals (1988; died 2002)
  • Rose Windross – co–lead vocals (1988), (2010–2011)
  • Jazzi Q – DJ (turntables) (1988–1990), (2012)
  • Caron Wheeler – lead vocals (1988–1990), (1992), (1995), (2007–2010), (2013–2019)
  • Aitch Bee – DJ (turntables) (1988–1995), (2007), (2012)
  • Nellee Hooper – producer (1988–1992)
  • Daddae – co–lead vocals, DJ (turntables), rapper, producer (1988–1995; died 2024)
  • Marcia Lewis – lead vocals (1989–1990)
  • Lamya Al-Mugheiry – co–lead vocals (1990)
  • Victoria Wilson-James – co–lead vocals (1990)
  • Kym Mazelle – co–lead vocals (1990), (2010–2011)
  • Penny Ford – lead vocals (1992–1995)
  • Melissa Bell – co–lead vocals (1993–1995; died 2017)

Awards and nominations

Award Year Nominee(s) Category Result References
American Music Awards 1990 Themselves Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group
Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist
Favorite Dance New Artist
"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" Favorite Dance Song
"Keep On Movin'" Favorite Soul/R&B Song
Brit Awards 1990 Themselves British Group
British Breakthrough Act
Club Classics Vol. One British Album of the Year
"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" British Single of the Year
1991 Themselves British Group
Grammy Awards 1990 Themselves Best New Artist
"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
"African Dance" Best R&B Instrumental Performance
1993 "Mood" Best R&B Instrumental Performance Ivor Novello Awards 1990 "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" Best Contemporary Song
"The Best Selling "A" Side"
NAACP Image Award 1989 'Keep On Movin 'Outstanding Album' 'Template:Nom' ' '
Q Awards '2015' 'Club Classics Vol. One' 'Classic Album' 'Template:Won' ' '
Soul Train Music Awards '1990' 'Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Album – Group, Band, or Duo' 'Template:Won' ' '
'Keep On Movin 'Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Single – Group, Band, or Duo' 'Template:Won'
'Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year' 'Template:Won'
'Themselves' 'Best R&B/Urban Contemporary New Artist' 'Template:Nom'

Discography

See also

External links

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