In our Talent Profiles series, we shine a light on some of the biggest names that MN2S has worked with. This week, we focus on live acts and DJs from the world of funk and soul.
Craig Charles
The legendary DJ, actor, host and broadcaster is one of UK’s most respected names in soul and funk. From Red Dwarf to Robot Wars to Radio 6 and Radio 2, Charles’ career has seen him move from respected actor to musical icon, with ten years of broadcasting under his belt. Craig Charles’ beloved 6 Music Funk and Soul Show kicked off in 2002 and has since aired live every Saturday night, regularly broadcasting an assortment of emerging talents and classic gems. Throughout his tenure at BBC Radio, Charles has earned global recognition as one of the UK’s foremost funk and soul tastemakers. The impressive list of guests that have appeared on the show speaks for itself: Gil-Scott Heron, James Brown, Roy Ayers, The Roots, and Amy Winehouse have all stopped by to chat.
Mr. Charles and his trunk of funk can be found behind a pair of turntables almost every weekend throughout the UK and beyond. He’s held a monthly residency at Manchester’s Band on The Wall for several years, bringing a regular night of soul-stirring funkadelia that’s currently one of the most anticipated events in Manchester’s club scene. As an in-demand DJ with a calendar that’s rarely empty, Craig Charles has captivated crowds throughout the U.K. The funk maestro has electrified audiences at festivals such as Love Box, Park Life, Wychwood Festival, and Common People, and in 2016, played before 10,000 people at the world famous Arcadia and Shangri-La stage in Glastonbury Festival.
Fatback Band
Funky, orchestral soul music for the live party scene is The Fatback Band’s specialty. Famed bandleader Bill “Fatback” Curtis is supported by Ledjerick Todd Woods on trumpet, Robert Locke on saxophone, Zachary (Zach) Guinn on bass and vocals, Darryl McAllister on guitar, Desmond Humphrey on drums and vocals, James Forbe on keyboards, and Isabela Gordon on vocals. Known for high-energy songs and live performances that are raw, earthy, and explosive, the Fatback Band are one of the most iconic names in funk and soul. Curtis and his band have reinvented the roots of dance, funk, soul, rap, and R&B over the course of four decades.
Mica Paris
Mica has remained a fixture of the UK’s music scene since the release of her debut, platinum-selling album ‘So Good’ in 1988: her broad range, impeccable tone and powerful stage presence have led many to proclaim her as one of the country’s finest voices. Over a 30-year career that’s seen collaborations with Prince and Bobby Womack, Mica has worked in music, TV, radio and theatre, most recently taking the lead role in the West End production of Fame.
Smoove And Turrell
The northern soul group Smoove and Turrell have earned supported by DJs Gilles Peterson, Chris Evans, Graham Norton, and Craig Charles and risen to the top of the iTunes Soul Chart thanks to their fusion of soul, jazz, disco, and hip-hop. They have one of the most devoted followings in the business thanks to smashing live performances, and they have performed everywhere from Space in Ibiza to The Big Chill and Glastonbury. With their sixth studio album, Stratos Bleu, receiving frequent airplay on the BBC 2 playlist, they are now recognised as one of the most well-liked acts on the contemporary northern soul scene.
Smoove & Turrell’s first release, a limited edition 7″ titled “I Can’t Give You Up,” caused an eBay bidding war. It was inspired by legendary British artists like Soul 2 Soul, Cymande, Omar, Coldcut, Massive Attack, Tom Jones, and Peter Gabriel. They were promptly signed by the important record label Jalapeno Records, and their 2009 debut album AntiqueSoul was released shortly after. The singles “I Can’t Give You Up” and “Beggarman” from the album won two coveted “Record of The Week” awards shortly after its release. The successful singles “SlowDown” and “Hard Work” from the follow-up album Eccentric Audio from 2011 were among its highlights. The latter song was included on the regular rotation of important Los Angeles radio station KCRW.