The Lasting Legacy Of Soul II Soul
MEET THE VISIONARIES BEHIND THE MUSIC
BACK IN THE DAY
“We’re from the days when a number 14 bus and a supermarket trolley got us around.” Jazzie B remembers the lengths he and his school friend Daddae used to go to play dances with their first sound system when they were just 13 years old. It sums up the determination, resourcefulness and a love for music, that got Soul II Soul where it is today.
Their first North London sound system, Jah Rico, played mainly reggae, but after three years changed the vibe to more soul and funk and Soul II Soul was born. “We came up with the name not just because of the music we played, it also stood for Daddae and myself – two souls moving together. We’ve always had that kind of relationship – there are not many words exchanged between us, but everything that happened was always very much in tandem.”
Soul II Soul quickly achieved a name in their community, but were in no position to give up the day jobs, and at age 18, Jazzie was working for cockney pop legend Tommy Steele, as a tape operator. He found himself one of the few black people working in London’s recording studio and recalls how this shaped his attitude: “It made me vexed in one way, but it made me see that there are parts of the industry that we’re not taking care of because we always want to be so upfront.”
As Soul II Soul grew, Jazzie was determined to create a dancefloor environment that would appeal across the board.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE YOU TO SEE I’M FOR REAL?
MOVIN’ FORWARD
Soul II Soul’s dances had been reflecting what was occurring naturally in London; kids of all races had grown up together and were now raving together. By the mid-1980s the warehouse scene was in full swing, vibrant and underground, removed from the constraints of the mainstream – a natural fit for Soul II Soul’s creativity: “We were very arty as an early sound. We never had conventional speakers, we used pyrotechnics in a dance, we had banners and strobes in a house party!”
Nothing summed them and their crowd up better than their regular Sunday night spot at the now legendary Africa Centre in London’s Covent Garden. This was truly the Soul II Soul experience, which, unlike other sound systems on the same circuit, wasn’t just about the big name DJs, it was about a vibe. Jazzie remembers it as being unique: “You had people from all walks of life at the Africa Centre. A very eclectic crowd. It was like the whole world was in one room!”
The Africa Centre was a game changer for Soul II Soul; for British black music; and for the nation’s youth culture in general. It caught the attention of Virgin Records, who signed them as an act in 1988, catapulting them into a tornado of success. The Soul II Soul sound was original, new, fresh, and infectious – above all, though, it was a UK thing. It represented what was going on all around it and alienated nobody.
“A happy face, a thumpin’ bass, for a lovin’ race.” became the SIIS mission statement.
The Funki Dred lifestyle emerged on the streets of London and SIIS had shops blending clothing, music and a range of merch all united by the distinct Funki Dred logo.
POPULAR DEMAND
SIIS achieved chart success with ‘Back To Life’ and ‘Keep On Moving’ that made them global household names. Jazzie had his own show on London’s Kiss FM, and the collective hosted club nights all over the world.
SIIS’s 1990 world tour combined music, fashion, dance and visuals making the shows more of a cultural experience than a conventional concert.
To date Soul II Soul have sold over 10 million albums in over 35 territories worldwide and have product on over 200 compilation CDs while Jazzie has accreditation on over 35 million albums in over 100 territories. They’ve performed in over 20 countries, and appeared at some of the most famous venues in the world.
America embraced Soul II Soul, and in 1990 they were honoured with two Grammys and three Soul Train awards. Jazzie was presented with the keys to seven US cities, recognised by the NAACP and the band has a day named in their honour.
Jazzie B and SIIS continue to be acknowledged for their contribution and achievements. In 2008, Jazzie became the first sound man to be acknowledged by her Majesty the Queen, when he was awarded an OBE for his services to music. A few of the many accolades include the Ivor Novello award for inspiration and the PRS music heritage award.
SIIS sound became a blueprint that later generations continue to sample and reinterpret. Over three decades after the release of Club Classics Volume 1, the influence of SIIS remains with artists such as Vampire Weekend, A$AP Ferg and Burna Boy all sampling or reworking their iconic sound.
BACK TO LIFE, BACK TO REALITY.
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Jazzie was honoured on his home turf in Finsbury Park with a sculpture as part of the Portrait Benches project.
Local residents were asked to select someone from the community to be acknowledged for their contribution and inspiration.
Outside Camden Town underground station, and a stone’s throw away from the original SoulIISoul shop, a pavement plaque celebrates their legacy as part of the Music Walk of Fame.
SoulIISoul continues to be present in the heart of Camden Town and Jazzie currently hosts the BackIILife Café - a free summer music series featuring guest DJ’s in Camdens Hawley Wharf.
Still on the road, from local gigs at landmark venues such as Camden’s Koko and the Roundhouse, to the 02 Arena with Simply Red, the band Keeps on Movin!
It’s paramount to Jazzie to remain a part of the club scene. “Being a sound system is very important to me, I still DJ in clubs and the label is run like a sound system. It’s all exactly the same as before, except that the times have changed. Technically we are still a sound system. The singers and artists are our MCs, and instead of mix tapes we now make records”
Jazzie no longer borrows supermarket trolleys and hasn’t seen the inside of a number 14 bus for a while, but the sound system mentality is still very much at the root of Soul II Soul, keeping him in touch with their continually evolving audience.