Fronted by the enigmatic Jazzie B, the forward-thinking collective also morphed into pirate radio before their third single for Ten Records, ‘Keep On Movin’ charted globally, while it’s follow up ‘Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)’ – both featuring Caron Wheeler on vocals – went to number one on the UK national charts and topped both the RnB and Dance charts in the States. Originally featuring Jazzie B., producer/arranger Nellee Hooper, and instrumentalist Philip "Daddae" Harvey, the musical collective came together in the late '80s. Members came and went as albums volume two to five followed before the collective disbanded in 1998, following which several members had successful solo careers before the 2007 reunion which still continues today with the three original core members of Jazzie B, Caron Wheeler and Charlotte Kelly continuing to spread the Funki Dred vibe around the world. When Soul II Soul performed the song at 1990 Soul Train Music Awards, Marcia Lewis; a new addition to the group, performed the lead vocals. Virgin Records "pops" on 40th anniversary. “Club Classics is one of those rare albums that make you want to listen to every single track over and over, again and again.” BBC Music. Led by producer/vocalist/songwriter DJ Jazzie B, Soul II Soul was one of the most innovative dance/R&B outfits of the late '80s, creating a seductive, deep R&B that borrowed from Philly soul, disco, reggae, and '80s hip-hop. Founded by Jazzie B and featuring a changing roster of other musicians - notably Nellee … Even if the group later achieved less, these two albums stand as powerful testimony to anyone ever willing of exploring a group as eclectic (and in their own right ahead of the time) - Soul II Soul were unique in mixing pop, hip-hop and soul music without damaging any of the genre's essence. At least, we can be certain that their work represented an interesting counterbalance to the cheesy italo-house stuff through the many dancefloors of the World. Today R'n'B is dreadful and horrifying in its eroticising - with Soul II Soul, sex is as tasty as a box of finest chocolates. Both 'Club Classics Vol. Members came and went as albums volume two to five followed before the collective disbanded in 1998, following which several members had successful solo careers before the 2007 reunion which still continues today with the three original core members of Jazzie B, Caron Wheeler and Charlotte Kelly continuing to spread the Funki Dred vibe around the world. The group had a residency at the Africa Centre in London's Covent Garden, which led to a record contract with 10, a subsidiary of Virgin. Soul II Soul was one of the main responsible to create a whole new type of soulful quality dance music at the end of the eighties to the beginning of the next decade. Originally featuring Jazzie B., producer/arranger Nellee Hooper, and instrumentalist Philip "Daddae" Harvey, the musical collective came together in the late '80s. Originally featuring Jazzie B, producer/arranger Nellee Hooper and instrumentalist Philip Daddae Harvey, the musical collective came together in the late '80s. Es Goal! / Heaven Give Me Words / A Dreams A Dream. Originally featuring, I'll never forget when the first single charted in the UK and the DJ on German NDR 2 radio read out the British charts pronounced them "Soul ee ee Soul" (The letter "i" is pronounced "ee" in German...).

Truly magnificent. Through the lovely Caron Wheeler’s lyrics like “Back to life, back to reality” and “Keep on movin’ don’t stop no!”, infectious hip hop influenced beats, strings and the charming spirit of the R&B, their tunes became instantly massive hits. Successful UK soul-influenced rap outfit from the late 80s/early 90s. The song was included in the group's set list for their A New Decade Tour in 1990 and was performed late in the set on tour dates. Group Members Jazzie B. Nellee Hooper Caron Wheeler Daddae Daddae Harvey Melissa … Around the same time, the collective established a base in Camden Town where they emblazoned their motto “A happy face, a thumpin’ bass, for a lovin’ race” on their own clothing range which had originally started life with a handful of T-shirts printed at the end of the ‘70s and was later revived in 2013 for a special Harvey Nicholls collection.

1' and '1990: A New Decade' deserve contant play for attention. Led by producer/vocalist/songwriter Jazzie B., Soul II Soul were one of the most innovative dance/R&B outfits of the late '80s, creating a seductive, deep R&B that borrowed from Philly soul, disco, reggae, and '80s hip-hop. The group initially attracted attention as a sound system some years earlier run by founder Jazzie B, playing at nights including their own at the Africa Centre, London. As Jazzie himself puts it: “Soul II Soul has always been as much of a lifestyle statement as a musical movement. From the sound system scene of the 1980s, Soul II Soul evolved into a regular Sunday club night at the Africa Centre in London’s Covent Garden.

Successful UK soul-influenced rap outfit from the late 80s/early 90s. Read Full Biography. Both singles appeared on the album ‘Club Classics Volume One’ in 1989, which AllMusic noted had influences from “Chic to hip hop to African music,” an eclectic mix that only hinted at the diversity of the two-time Grammy-winning band which also brought together reggae, house and much more.

At the end of 1989, Wheeler later departed from the group. Two singles, "Fairplay" and "Feel Free," began to attract attention both in clubs and in the press. Copyright 2020 Music Walk of FamePowered by Digital Luminance. Soon outgrown, they headed to The Fridge in Brixton where their “Funki Dredd” club nights featuring an array of guests became the template for an emerging rave scene and Ibiza getaways.

Led by producer/vocalist/songwriter Jazzie B., Soul II Soul were one of the most innovative dance/R&B outfits of the late '80s, creating a seductive, deep R&B that borrowed from Philly soul, disco, reggae, and '80s hip-hop. Led by producer/vocalist/songwriter DJ Jazzie B, Soul II Soul was one of the most innovative dance/R&B outfits of the late '80s, creating a seductive, deep R&B that borrowed from Philly soul, disco, reggae, and '80s hip-hop. Our aim is to put some of that harmony into life with the philosophy of a happy face, a thumping bass for a loving race, and the clothing is coming from the same place as the music, allowing people to identify with these ideals 24/7.