Though it is now regarded as a modern classic, DeBarge’s In a Special Way wasn’t exactly a high priority for those who deemed themselves discerning music lovers when it was issued

Shockingly and embarrassingly, I have only recently discovered Estradasphere though they have been going for over 18 years. Not only that, there is a whole family of musical projects which its members are involved in which I had never heard of.

Devotchka have been producing their distinctive take on ‘Gypsy cabaret’ since 2000, releasing 6 albums. With their contribution to the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack 2006 in they were exposed to a much wider audience and bringing them wide acclaim

Jill and Rupa get sweaty in a London basement getting to grips with the unique musical mixture that is ‘global music culture’. We also have an exclusive live video treat…

Osunlade makes soul music for the world, he is a spiritualist, and a global thinker and this shines through in his music

Mike Chaw produced Erykah Badu’s latest musical offering New Emerykah - but if you want sweet soul music, look away now as this is a stinging critique of the state of the nation

You see singers win competitions on TV, you hear one-hit R&B wonders on your radio but you rarely hear somebody possessing such musicality that it makes you believe they are younger than they actually are. Quantic was just such a prodigy but he shows no sign of burn out just yet even after seven albums

“It doesn’t sound like folks these days have much fun creating anymore. They are too concerned with being ‘deep’. For God’s sake, I wish they would just have a little fun and not take themselves so seriously…”

Vikter Duplaix is in search of the new and the positive

Marlena Shaw is a legendary vocalist and thought of by many to be a national treasure. Over sixty years of age, Marlena Shaw has achieved an awful lot, and it all began in her hometown Valhalla, New York, USA, where she was heavily raised on gospel and jazz

While his former musical partner Gil Scott-Heron was doing a two year stretch, the legendary Brian Jackson was celebrating his 54th birthday and still loving the music

Tony Ozier released his debut album, Mental Candy on his BeatsGalore Records. His fusion of live band soul and pinches of hip hop make this a highly innovative album

Real name Vincent Williams, was born and raised in Brooklyn, USA. He is globally known as DJ Spinna though

“Things are going good!”, says an excited Keite Young. This is the latest signing to Hidden Beach Recordings. And in 2007, Keite Young released his much anticipated debut album The Rise & Fall of Keite Young

Talented USA songbird Temika Moore hasn’t had the recognition she deserves for her soul-stirring and jazz-tinged voice

Nuwamba released a modern soul album called Above The Water out 2006 on Born Soulful/Chocolate Soul and the soulful singer is currently working on a remix EP

NowOn are hip hop makers from Los Angeles, USA. Recently, they released a debut album EyeLevel through the group’s A*Side Worldwide company

Back in 1955 in San Antonio, Texas a Junior High School chorister sang her first few notes in public. That little girl is now one of the most respected (if under-rated) soul singers of all time

Sakai released her album Dream Big, and a few years before that she was doing backing vocals for many established and/or independent artists

Jay Denes is a well-known producer who makes soulful house music and electronic music. He started a musical outfit called Blue Six and released Beautiful Tomorrow as the debut album. Blue Six featured a collective of vocalists such as Lisa Shaw and Aya to name a few and in 2007, Blue Six released Aquarian Angel

Philadelphia’s best kept secret finally came to the surface when she released her debut album Moments Like This

Kem knows all about life on the street. He actually lived there, penniless and isolated before he grabbed a deal with Motown that catapulted him to his current status. Matthew Daniels caught up with him onoly to suffer every music journalist’s nightmare — tape recorder malfunction…

Choklate released her self-titled debut album Choklate on KSD Music. When Choklate relocated from Seattle to Southern California, she was a key contributor to the community of local hip hop and R&B music goings on

Independently released on PEAK Records in the USA, this incredible vocalist LaToya London put out her debut album Love & Life after her time on American Idol. Unfortunately, it didn’t sell in large numbers but that hasn’t put her off

Calvin Richardson was a major part of R&B history when he performed and recorded albums with R&B boy band Jodeci. He talks to us about the long road to his debut album

“Music became my art, my way of expressing my feelings and life in general”

Saida Baba Talibah comes from a family so involved in music that it is hard to imagine she could be anything other than a musician herself

Queen of Cool Jody Watley was ready for a new direction on her sixth album, Flower. Mired in label politics, the record never saw an American release. Now, nine years later, Quentin Harrison looks backward, with Miss Jody Watley herself on one of her rarest and finest records

“There’s a place that started underground. I know you’d like to go. Only requirement to enter is a little bit of soul.” — Soulive (from the song ‘Comfort’)

What is it with Georgia and soul music? Algebra Blessett chases the rain to London and catches up with our number one soul man in Soho

“Our music is a complete blend of American classics. When I’m talking about American classics, I’m just talking about all music. White music, black music and anything out of Europe, from Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder to Afrika Bambataa, Run DMC and J Dilla” explains Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra about the sound of their unique spiritual and futuristic soul music

Stones Throws’ headman Peanut Butter Wolf brought over Percee P and Guilty Simpson for a quick European tour recently and Fly finds out how Mr. Wolf can make “Wight Trash” from Tesco look good

Since losing her battle with breast cancer in 1979 at the tender age of 31, Riperton’s legacy has reached almost mythic proportions, which is to be expected since a good number of modern music aficionados were just being born when she made her transition

“Think of it as the Ford manufacturer of new music,” Robert Voisey said of his 60×60 electronic music project, casually revealing his ambitious and well-examined goal to produce and disseminate what some may consider a rarefied and obscure musical form on a global scale

Hectic chats with living legend Eddie Henderson about Miles, medicine and the Messengers

The beautiful Brooklyn-born songstress whose lyrical prowess is gracing Mr V’s soul-soaked album has only just started properly in the music business, but I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be hearing a lot more from her in the not-too-distant-future.

Malena Perez released her debut album Stars, it featured production from Kenny Dope, Carlos Nino & The Life Force Trio, Michael Johnson, Alix Alvarez, and Osunlade

Brazilian born, world-travelled and Los Angeles based, Jonathan Stier is producing a unique amalgamation of sounds with his music

Fania’s re-issue campaign continues with this homage to the work of Ray Barretto, who first made a name for himself in New York’s Latino barrios and, as the sleeve notes put it, “is one of the true originals of New York Latin Music.”

The 1970s were a time when global cultures first began to converge after decades of isolation, where the virtues of peace and grooviness were giving way to style and sophistication. We travel back in time to discuss the must-have threads with original superstar DJ Tom Savarese

The death of Rufus Harley has been widely reported — which would have probably surprised him somewhat. Gerry Hectic plays homage to the man that brought the bagpipe to jazz and casts an ear on his final album Sustain

Our Man on the Coast, Maxwell Chandler takes another look at Eric Dolphy’s masterpiece Out to Lunch to coincide with its reissue — but not before plotting the musical landscape from bop to the new thing

Fans and followers of Osunlade know that he’s the champion of tribal, deep, soulful house — who often goes into Latin and Brazilian rhythms to complete the package. Hectic finds out the more about the new album, his home on the Greek island of Santorini and future plans.

Mention Impulse! Records to any seasoned discerning jazz follower and they’re sure to think of a label at the forefront, and often a step ahead, of an era that was heavily steeped in experimentation and political outrage. Fast forward to today however and Impulse! Records are best known for their classic album reissues. We catch up with Chico Hamilton and Mark de Clive-Lowe to talk old times and new directions

Three and a half years of writing and production culminated in the release of Greenissimo’s debut self-titled album on Dangerous Drums Records. Comprised of Esther Cowen and Charlyn Green Hashmi, Greenissimo is setting out to make some changes. Breaks with melody. Soul and downbeat.

Electronica. Experimental. Downbeat. Broken beat. Avant hip hop. Inde hip hop. Glitch hop. Digi hop. Trip hop. Blip hop. Pop hop… (deep breath) These are some of the terms you might find to fit the music of Prefuse 73 into a neat little box

Rewriting the context in which we are to perceive funk and soul, Sharon Jones and the Daptone Records in-house band, the Dap-Kings, are blowing up venues across Europe, America and soon, Australia.

Blessed with iconic looks reminiscent of her idol Frida Kahlo, a distinctive vocal style with dusty chocolate tones and a genius for re-imagining Mexico in song, Lila Downs doesn’t so much cross borders as move them about for fun

Continuing Fly’s support of the exquisite living body of Daedelus, it was time to catch up with our man on a beautiful day on the West Coast.

EveryUrbanThing.com’s founder AK gives us the lowdown on what’s coming along for hip hop in 2006

Coldcut’s second impressive release from the new album Sound Mirrors

With four albums under their belts — recorded in their own studio ‘The Compound’ — Delta Nove have caught the ears of many greats, sharing the stage with Burning Spear, Ozomatli, Spearhead, and Merl Saunders. Check ‘em out as Fly’s Jeremy Balius catches up with Delta Nove’s Rob Covacevich to talk about what a long, strange, Delta Nove trip it’s been and where it’s heading

Blues guitarist and singer/songwriter Chris Whitley died of lung cancer this Sunday in Texas at the young age of 45.

While debate rages about the ethics of downloading mp3s, fans of traditional sounds have been putting up songs for free download. Are they robbbing the artists of their livelihood or providing a marketing lifeline for music that would otherwise be overlooked? Richard Silverstein argues the case for the bloggers…

HVW8 blur the boundaries even further by picking up on Ubiquity releases and making an art show hip hop compilation. How does that work?

Oscar Hernandez is in defiant mood before his upcoming tour of the UK. Reggaeton and Latin hip hop may have their fans, but this New Yorker likes it hot and brassy.

The intimate Club Noon, near Osaka Station, became the astral-like gateway to the world of Meat Beat Manifesto

Continuing in the tradition of Fela Kuti, LA-based band Afrobeat Down is spreading the afrobeat vibe of social awareness and funky living

This is… King Britt is a decade retrospective to be released December 2005, seeking to answer the question, “who is the real King Britt?” Elusive as a chameleon, King Britt seamlessly flows from DJ, remixing, production while always maintaining a keen, fresh signature sound.

Rising out of Columbus, Ohio, is Drum & Bass DJ and production duo Temperal Disturbance. Comprised of Carl Raponi and Sean Macklin, TD has just released their first single ‘Vers Libre (Rhodes)’ on their self-constructed label Clandestine Agents.

Now if you’re sticking with this three part interview, you’ll be aware that Dwight Trible is in Europe on the first Love Is The Answer tour with Carlos Niño.

“I’m like uh!! I am overjoyed. I’m so glad that I came.” We rejoin Dwight Trible for the second installment of this interview in which he tells us about Guardian Angels, meditation and a northern soul hero

The “legend on the quiet” that is Dwight Trible, is contemplating what to do on a Friday Night over a glass of red wine. Join him and Gerry Hectic for the first of our three-part interview…

What can jazz take from hip hop? Quick — name three of the most influential rap artists in hip hop today, pretty easy right? Bonus question: name three well-known jazz musicians under the age of 40 and Kenny G doesn’t count. Can’t do it can you?

It must be hard growing up as the youngest wannabe musician in a celebrated musical family. This was certainly the case for Martha Wainwright, who was without a record deal well into her late twenties, whilst older brother Rufus garnered all the critical plaudits and a substantial record contract

Washington DC is becoming the hub for multi-cultural jazz fusion, nu-jazz and downtempo. The next artist to spring out of this hotbed is Kidgusto, who has just released his first EP on his label TrueGrooves.

"I'm totally against the war, it's a ridiculous thing. Nobody really talks about the fact the soldiers there are being compromised. They didn't plan on being somebody's private force."

It's 9:30pm. Black streets glisten with a layer of rain and are filled with the sounds of cars returning home from a long workday. My phone rings. The exhausted voice on the other end belongs to New York City's underground rap sensation Sean Patrick McGaughan, known as Swell to his fans...

Ubiquity Recordings has been on something of a roll lately, topped off nicely with an award from Gilles Peterson's World Wide. We caught up with Michael McFadin and asked him what made Ubiquity tick?

West Coast's Plug Research has released Part 2 of Dublab Presents in the Loop and it is essential. OK, I've said that before but you get the idea when I say it's a 5 tracker from five top modern experimentalists.

By now everyone has heard the news about the death of Ray Charles. It was personal for me, because I worked with him for 13 years and was onstage with him literally thousands of times.

LA based outfits Ammoncontact & Daedelus are appearing in London this week. Gerry Hectic hooks up with the new wave of jazz hiphopnitects Carlos NiÒo & Daedelus...

Labels, categories, classifications -- these are essential in our daily lives and certainly make life easier. Much of the music created since the beginning of civilization can be labelled and fitted into nice, neat little packages, at least in hindsight. And, one may argue, for the business of music this is a good thing.

Last spring, I sent myself on a mission. I had decided that the electronica/rave/ house/dance music movement had done great things over the past few decades, yet no one had really written it all down.

Since catching Fly's attention with the brilliant album ph10 in Helmutvision, Recone Helmut, ph10s frontman, takes time out to talk to Fly's Zoe Street about heroes, inspirations and day job supervisors called Kurt...

Five years ago, Ben Herson travelled to Senegal and was blown away by the skills of the local hip hop talent. He returned with his 'mobile guerrilla-style' production techniques and has just released a great album on his own label, Nomadic Wax. We have had words.

Music takes on such magnificent force at times that we are left feeling small and speechless, like some wandering electron floating about in space. So engulfing is the emotional reaction that we shudder and shiver, or tremble and rejoice in smile or even laugh.

Phil Meadley was one of the first journalists in the UK to get onto Solesides' artists and here he spoke to Lateef a few years back

Talk to any fan of rare groove and jazz-funk and they'll tell you that Ubiquity is one of the premier labels around today. Since their founding in 1993 this San Francisco label has become a by-word for quality and dedication to the groove.

The Angel is one of the most talented new producers on the US dance scene today. She has remixed for the likes of the Pharcyde, Spearhead, The Brand New Heavies and Donald Byrd.

In the seventies, the canvas of expression was a subway train. In the eighties, through gallery exposure, the vandal becomes an artist. In the nineties, using computers as an alternative medium, we find the logical next step.
Futura 2000

A couple of years ago when Columbia finally got round to releasing the full recordings of Miles historic date at the Plugged Nickel we asked what made this gig so special?

From deep within the labs of Solesides emerges proof.
Hip-hop purism is alive...